HAPPY EASTER TO ALL FTRA MEMBERS

Welcome to our Spring Newsletter for 2024. A new year brings our focus to looking forward to the future and the promise of things to come. As your Chairman, I can guarantee that your committee has been busy planning with passion to give you ten reasons to be cheerful in 2024 as we gather together to enjoy each other’s company. Here is a preview to help you plan your social diary for 2024.

OUTINGS 2024

Just to recap on the two recent outings: 13 February – Imogen Stuart Sculpture Exhibition & Revenue Commissioners Museum at Dublin Castle, with Lunch at The Silk Road Café. This was a great success and blended an eclectic mix of art and finance. The big surprise, Imogen Stewart joined our group and spoke about her sculptures and career. An energetic and engaging inspiration at 96 years young! We learned with regret of the death of Imogen (RIP) on 25 March and were doubly thankful to have had the opportunity to meet and chat with her in person.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, on 1 March, we had song in our heart. The “Film Songs” concert & lunch @ National Concert Hall proved the power of music and members’ interest ensured another enthusiastic attendance, despite the unexpected heavy snow that morning that failed to dent the determination of the attendees, some of whom came from Galway and Kilkenny, despite the very bad weather. We are an intrepid bunch!

UPCOMING OUTINGS/ Dates for your Diary:

18 April – EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum, CHQ Building, Customs House Quay & lunch @ Harbourmaster Pub/ Restaurant, IFSC. Experience for yourself why EPIC has been a regular winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Unlike any other museum, the interactive exhibits, videos and information boards breathe life into the many heroes (and a few black sheep) who left our shores over 700 years. Prepare to be surprised by the volume of ground-breaking inventions and innovations in the world of medicine, engineering, politics, education, sport, entertainment and much more. We can’t guarantee that you will walk taller when you leave, but from personal experience, you will feel like you can. What we can assure you of is that your pride in how many Irish have done so much for so many to make the world a better place for the past, present and future will increase. The fingerprints of the Irish are global and EPIC captures that in a very personal way. Spaces still available to book for this outing – no later than 8 April, please. We would love to see you there.

23 May – Oldbridge House / Battle of Boyne Site & Old Mellifont Abbey, with morning coffee and lunch – details soon

11 June – Dublin Bay Cruises: Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier to Howth’s West Pier / DART return, with lunch at ‘The Bloody Stream’ Restaurant beneath the DART Station – details soon

17 July – Jerpoint Abbey, Goatsbridge Trout Farm and the ‘lost’ monastic village of Kells with ‘Highlights of Kilkenny County’, plus morning coffee, nibbles at Goatsbridge and late lunch – details soon

PROPOSED – 16 to 19 September – 3-night / 4-day Trip to County Waterford, dates provisional and TBC – see recent note to all members for details. We do hope you will join us on what promises to be a thoroughly enjoyable, varied and interesting trip. We really need to know who can come on this proposed trip no later than 8 April. The hotel is holding rooms for us but cannot hold them after that date. For the trip to be financially viable and to proceed, we need a minimum number of bookings and we are not quite there yet. So, we are looking forward to receiving more bookings by the 8 April to ensure the trip is confirmed. Please join us on this lovely trip if you can.

14 October – Kilmainham Gaol with lunch @ The Patriots Inn – details soon

November – yet to be decided, but what is assured is that it will be a very enjoyable event with lunch!

5 December – 2024 AGM / Christmas Lunch at The Herbert Park Hotel

FTRA Website – your window to our FTRA world, www.ftra.ie is kept up-to-date by Grainne. Next time you view, be sure to visit the Past Events for engaging photos that capture our various outings, including every year since 2016. Or click on Gallery to admire member’s photographic skills on personal gatherings and trips.

Membership – as a result of the recent note sent to all pensioners of FI, some new members have joined FTRA (including our very brave colleague, Bernard Phelan), and more are expected to join, based on application forms requested and issued. We are delighted with the outcome. If you know of a retired colleague, who is not already a member but might like to join FTRA, please refer them to the FTRA website for details. They would be most welcome as members.
FTRA Committee – We are delighted to welcome Tom Burke (Limerick) to the Committee.

Special Announcement – We are currently looking for a new Treasurer for FTRA. We need a volunteer (or two volunteers to share the work), who has finance experience and who would be happy to take on the role of ‘minding’ the finances of FTRA, on behalf of the members, for a few years. The role is perfect for maintaining mental agility and guarantees many hours of delight for those with an affinity with numbers.

A testament to the self-fulfilment the role delivers – we have had remarkable success with the retention of Treasurers in this responsible role, with only three Treasurers serving in the almost 25 years of existence of FTRA. John Carney, who set up the bank account and the way in which we manage our finances and did such trojan work for FTRA throughout his time in office. Thank you, John. Then, our beloved Leo McMorrow (RIP), who brought the finance system up-to-date. In recent times, Carmel Hanley, who has kept our cash-flow fluid and flagged well in advance any dams or waterfalls on the horizon. Carmel will be vacating her role as Treasurer on the Committee for personal reasons, but remaining on as an invaluable Committee member. We really need to fill this position quickly, so, we need a volunteer/s. If you feel that you have the time and talent to embrace this role for a few years, please contact me at info@ftra.ie ASAP. We really need your help with this one.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR YOU

​Public Sector Pay Deal – The latest Public Sector pay deal was formally accepted by the ICTU on 25 March, on behalf of the Public Sector unions, so it will now come into effect. It is usual for such increases to apply to the relevant public sector pensions also, on a pro-rata basis. The salary increases agreed are as set out below:
A general round increase in annualised basic salary for public servants of 2.25% or €1,125, whichever is the greater, backdated to 1st January 2024
A general round increase in annualised basic salary for public servants of 1% on 1st June 2024
A general round increase in annualised basic salary for public servants of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, on 1st October 2024
A general round increase in annualised basic salary for public servants of 2% or €1,000, whichever is the greater, on 1st March 2025
A general round increase in annualised basic salary for public servants of 1% on 1st August 2025​

Culture Club – Of interest to members, Culture Club is a Dublin City Council company.
Website: DublinCityCouncilCultureCompany.ie
Email: CultureClub@DublinCityCouncilCultureCompany.ie
OR – info@DublinCityCouncilCultureCompany.ie
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Monthly Mailing List – extracted from the website above, sets out all upcoming events:

“Dublin City Council Culture Company runs cultural initiatives and buildings across the city with, and for, the people of Dublin. We collaborate with people, communities, cultural organisations, businesses, and Dublin City Council to embed cultural experiences and increase cultural participation throughout Dublin. We operate the museum at 14 Henrietta Street, Dublin 1, the cultural centre at Richmond Barracks in Inchicore, Dublin 8, and a wealth of other programmes. You’ll find more details on our website on the range of festivals, programmes, and projects we manage. Culture Club is a series of hosted talks and tours that introduce and encourage people to connect with the cultural spaces of the city. We invite people to see, experience and learn about Dublin’s cultural places. Working closely with our partners, we open up new ways for people to access cultural activity more easily and confidently in order to develop and expand their cultural habits. Join us for a range of free talks and tours with our friendly guides, followed by complimentary tea, coffee, and chats. Each Culture Club is free and open to all. NOTE – Prior Booking is required for all events.
Contact: Eva Griffin: CultureClub@DublinCityCouncilCultureCompany.ie or 086 1680562

Dublin City Culture Company, in partnership with Dublin City Council (Dublin City Libraries, Hugh Lane Gallery), Abbey Theatre, Chester Beatty Library, Gate Theatre, IMMA, MoLI, National Gallery of Ireland, National Library of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, National Print Museum, Registry of Deeds, RHA, Tailte Éireann (an independent Government agency under the aegis of the Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Providing a property registration system, property valuation service, and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State), Temple Bar Gallery + Studio, Richmond Barracks and 14 Henrietta Street.”

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Wines to celebrate Easter and Summertime

As the clocks spring forward to summertime to lengthen our bright evenings from Easter Sunday, and we mark the end of Lent and the rebirth of nature, a few suggestions below to help with your celebrations. I was inspired by the excellent quality at a wine press tasting of ALDI’s wines recently.

Sparkling:
Fleurs D’Eau Sparkling Brut Rosé, France @ €13.99 – 11.5%
Made with an eclectic blend of grapes, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Bobal and a little of the aromatic Muscat. Dry with ripe fruity strawberry flavours. Serve with pink food: smoked salmon or prawn cocktail.

Alcohol-free:
Zerozecco Sparkling Rosé, Germany @ €3.29 – 0%
Very aromatic, reminiscent of freshly bruised basil leaves. Medium sweetness with natural flavours of apples and grapes.

White Wine:
Verdicchio 2023, Castellore, Italy @ €7.69 – 12.5% Vegan*
Crisp and dry, refreshing light-bodied wine, assertive with herbal flavours of spearmint. Ideal for salads and creamy pasta dishes.

Verdejo 2023, Baron Amarillo, Rueda, Spain @ €7.99 – 13% Vegan*
Very dry with a waxy grapefruit peel texture. Depth of flavour and well-balanced fresh acidity and moderate alcohol.

Unearthed Custoza 2023, Veneto, Italy @ €8.99 – 12%
Dry with hints of peach and a little spice from oak and plenty of personality.

Chardonnay 2023, Specially Selected Chassaux et Fils, Pays d’Oc, France @ €8.99 – 13.5% Vegan*
Classic Chardonnay in a Macon-Lugny style of ripe apple and melon. Medium-bodied and perfect with roast chicken.

Specially Selected Picpoul de Pinet 2023, Languedoc, France @ €9.99 – 12.5%
Dry and delicious. Pear flavours and a salty finish. Seafood friendly and referred to as the Muscadet of the South.

Rosé Wine:
Specially Selected Organico Costa Toscana Rosé 2023, Tuscany, Italy @8.99 – 12.5%
Made in Chianti’s neighbourhood with organic grapes: Sangiovese mostly, with a little Merlot and Syrah. Very dry and classy and restrained in a Provencal style of rosé. Pair with garlic prawns, cherry tomatoes and chilli tossed in pasta.

Red Wine:
Mimo Moutinho 2022, Lisboa, Portugal €7.99 – 13% Vegan*
Lovely silky texture. Authentic and earthy with gentil tannins and well-balanced. Enjoy with a bean stew in a rich tomato and garlic sauce, chorizo optional.

Malvasia Nera 2022, Unearthed Castellore, Puglia, Italy @ €8.99 – 13.5% Vegetarian**
An impressive perfumed fruity aroma complimented on the palate by earthy and plum flavours. Invite to join a conversation with friends. Food optional.

Specially Selected Ventoux Rouge 2022, Rhône, France €9.99 – 14.5% Vegan*
Classic warm earthy aromas and ripe red fruits on the palate. Delicious and fruity with the hefty alcohol hidden in the flavours. Serve with rich hearty casseroles.

Star Buy:
Château Bouquey 2020, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France €11.99 (reduced from €14.99 until 1st April) – 14%
This is a classic Claret. Balanced plum fruit and oaked vanilla spice. Perfect with roast lamb or beef. Outstanding value, even at the normal €14.99. Likely to sell out at the discounted €11.99 over the Easter weekend.

* Vegan refers to how the wine is clarified in the barrel before bottling by using non-animal products (traditionally, eggs’ whites used), e.g. bentonite, a fine clay (imparts no flavour, simply a neutral medium).
** Vegetarian means eggs’ whites may be used to clarify the wine before bottling.

THE PEACE POEM

In these troubled times, it can be overwhelming to read about / see on TV the ongoing shocking news from Ukraine, Gaza / Israel, and other dreadful acts of aggression / natural disasters around the world. We can easily forget how lucky we are to live in a country where there is peace and freedom to exist. We thought that the poem below by John Denver might give us all pause for thought. At the heart of most faiths is Love. From love comes respect and from respect comes peace. While we cannot change the world, we can and do make a difference in our own circle of family and friends.
There’s a name for war and killing
There’s a name for giving in
When you know another answer
For me the name is sin
But there’s still time to turn around
And make all hatred cease
And give another name to living
And we could call it peace
And peace would be the road we walk
Each step along the way
And peace would be the way we work
And peace the way we play
And in all we see that’s different
And in all the things we know
Peace would be the way we look
And peace the way we grow
There’s a name for separation
There’s a name for first and last
When it’s all for us or nothing
For me the name is past
But there’s still time to turn around
And make all hatred cease
And give a name to all the future
And we could call it peace
And if peace is what we pray for
And peace is what we give
Then peace will be the way we are
And peace the way we live
Yes, there still is the time to turn around
And make all hatred cease
And give another name to living
And we can call it PEACE
(John Denver)

From your committee, dedicated to making a difference in your life by delivering monthly highlights throughout the year. We send you our best wishes and we look forward to seeing you on one of our outings very soon.

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Liam Campbell
Chairman – FTRA
29 March 2024