Ballinrobe Active Retirement Association

Ballinrobe ARA are twenty years in existence. Unfortunately we are unable to celebrate the big occasion. However when this Corona Virus has passed and we return to normal everyday life again we will have a Community celebration.

History

In March, 2000 Ina Horan and Rory O’Neill met with the Development Officer for the Western Region of Active Retirement Ireland to consider starting a branch of the organization in Ballinrobe. 65 people attended the inaugural meeting on April 10th, 2,000. The following committee was formed:

Chairperson: Rory O’Neill, Vice Chairperson: Kathleen Ryder, Secretary: Ina Horan Treasurer: Aidan Heavey.  Committee: Margaret O’Malley, Mary McConnell, Margo O’Shea, Mary Heneghan, Mary O’Hare and Des O’Kelly.

Location

Their meeting place was in Ballinrobe Parish Centre originally The Christian Brothers School. Meetings were held every Monday morning and continue to this day from September to June each year.

How can people join?

People can join during the year if they so wish, membership costs €20 per year or come along any Monday morning to the Parish Centre at 10.30a.m. Activities continue until 12.30.p.m. It is open to men and women to join.

There is a weekly charge of €2.00 this covers expenses associated with a cup of tea/coffee scone, hosting Cluster mornings or having refreshments for Special Memory Days like Pancake Day, National Bealtaine Festival, and Hospice Coffee Morning etc. Flowers, Mass Cards or Get Well cards.   Presently there are ninety members.

What do we do?

We participate in the ‘Go For Life’ programme and one of our members is a trained PAL tutor she guides the group with exercises to music first thing each Monday morning. This is followed by a Speaker or planned activity e.g. Table Quiz, Bingo, Chair Yoga, Song and Music mornings, Guest speakers and Information Workshops.

Many of the group take a 5 day holiday each year organized by the committee.

Many outings are organized during last term as the weather improves and in September. Some short Community Education Courses take place as well.

Many of our group are Community activists and have been involved in various town initiatives over the years. There is a wonderful spirit of volunteering amongst us. We have a wealth of knowledge on local heritage/history within our group and we are a great resource to the towns other established Community Development Groups. We have a Writers group and Bowling group as well.

Examples of Community Element of our Group.

We promote our group as Independent, self-organized and are active members of Ballinrobe Community. We participate in local community networks as well.

We like to promote a positive ageing attitude in our community. This stops loneliness through friendship and support so we all can lead a full, happy and healthy life by participating in the many varied activities we organize for ourselves.

Until we all meet again keep well and stay safe.

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