A group of Galway Retired Teachers enjoying a “Cuppa” while they discuss the books they have read. What better way to spend a morning! The Book Club summer reading is as follows: “Long Island” by Colm Toibin, “Solenoid” by Mircea Cartarescu and “Evenings and Weekends” by Oisin McKenna.  The next Book Club meeting is on Friday, September 20th @ 11am in the Poppy Seed Restaurant, Galway Crystal. New members are very welcome, even if they just want ideas for reading – members suggest many different books ..read more

A group of RTAI members from the Tuam and the surrounding area met for lunch in the Árd Rí Hotel on Tuesday 16 April 2024. We enjoyed a lovely meal, good conversation and a few laughs ..read more

This photograph was taken last December at an RTAI coffee morning held in Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe. They hold the coffee mornings on the last Tuesday of every month.  I regret that due to an oversight, I am very late in publishing this post. It’s obvious from the photo that the members are enjoying themselves ..read more

The Annual Convention and AGM 2024 was held in the Croke Park Conference Centre on Tuesday 11th of March. Mary McCarthy opened the Convention and presided over the event. The guest speaker was Ms Nuala Moore. She is an award-winning Irish Open Water Swimmer and Author. Ms Carmel Browne, vice president, represented the INTO at the Convention and spoke on their happenings. Ms Ursula Knox , founder of Opportunity Knox, spoke about the “no overheads” charity for schools in Uganda. The NEC Report 2023 and the Financial report 2023 were presented by our General Secretary, John O’Brien. Our membersh ..read more

Our photography course, given by Avi Ratnayake, started on January 19th. It was held in the Ballinfoyle/Castlegar Community Centre on the Headford Road, Galway. I was a bit apprehensive starting the course as I have just a camera on my phone and I was wondering did I need something better. My fears were allayed very soon as most of the participants were using the camera on their phones. Avi soon explained the basics of image Composition to us. We became familiar with The Rule of Thirds, Leading Lines, Central Split and Symmetry to name but a few guidelines. We took some photos ourselves using ..read more

Age Action Classes:  Mobile Phone, Tablet,  Age Action Galway run one-on-one courses, When: Monday mornings for 5 weeks.  “Get the most out of your mobile phone/tablet.  Where: Courses are run in Age Action offices in Francis St., Galway, (next door to O’Connor’s Bakery), in Galway Main Library, and in Tuam Library.  There is a waiting list.   Contact: 091-527831 for information and to book.  Classes are free. Dance: An organisation and website at www.dancetheatreireland.com has been recommended to me, about online clas ..read more

I am reminding members of the Household Benefits Package which is available to all citizens aged 70 and over (one per household). It consists of Free TV Licence and €35 a month towards electricity or gas bills. It is not means tested, but you have to apply. Information available from Dept of Social Protection, or www.citizensinformation.ie ..read more

Meet for Coffee:  Galway: When: Last Monday of the month. (Note change).  10.45am.  29th January, 26th February, 25th March, 29th April, 27thth May, 24th June 2024 Where: Poppy Seed Café, Galway Crystal.   Meet for Coffee: Ballinasloe:   When: Last Tuesday of the month. 11am.  Next Coffee Morning: Tuesday 30th January. Where: Gullanes Hotel, Ballinasloe. Contact: Grainne 087 7646470 Singing Group: When: Thursdays, 1.30pm – 2.30pm.   Where: St. James’ GAA Clubhouse, Mervue.  New members ..read more

On Tuesday 14th November a card-making workshop was held under the guidance of Kathleen Campbell. From 11am to 1pm scissors, blank card, double-sided tape, rulers and pencils were in full use. People were delving into 2 crates of old Christmas cards, stickers and ribbons (green, red and white) and in no time each participant had 3 unique Christmas cards made. People were so enthusiastic to stay working on their creations that nobody had time to stop for tea or coffee! Everybody went home chuffed at their ability and creativity. Another Card-making workshop with Kathleen Campbell is planned for ..read more

It was with great expectation that I embarked on a trip to Montenegro – aptly named Black Mountain – with the RTAI in September. I was not disappointed. Thursday Day 1: Travel After a very early start, we arrived in Dubrovnik airport at 12 noon. The weather was overcast, but the temperature has been up at 40° in August and our guide – who met us at Dubrovnik – assured us the weather would pick up, which it did. There were 14 in the Retired Teachers group, 70 in the bus altogether. At the border between Croatia and Montenegro, we had a long wait for passport scrutiny. Later after about an hour ..read more