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Events and Activities
2025 Activities and Events
Our presenter this month was Shane Lehane, Department of Folklore and Ethnology, UCC.
Shane spoke to us about 'The Irish Folk Year' - Patterns of Behaviour - Traditional Calendar Custom and Ritual.
Shane explained that there are THREE constantly repeating cycles, which pervade all human existence -
The Annual Cycle
The Life Cycle
Each cycle exhibits a remarkably similar pattern of change and is punctuated by significant points of transition when collective psychological responses are manifest.
Catherine O’Brien, Chairperson RSA, thanked Shane for his very interesting and informative presentation.
The Secret Tour of UCC----A New Tour by JP Quinn, Head of Visitor Services
We had an excellent presentation in February from JP Quinn, Head of Visitor Services, UCC.
JP gave us a tour of college highlighting the origins of UCC, and focusing on the History of Cork County Gaol, Republican Activity at UCC, Burning of West Wing and the story of Queen Victoria's statue.
It was a wonderful occasion and everyone that attended enjoyed it immensely.
JP is a wonderful orator and story teller.
The tour began with an introduction in the Council Room and took in, amongst other areas, the Main Quad, Gaol Cross (old gaol gate), Staff Common Room (Queen Victoria's statue) etc.
This exclusive tour delved into lesser-known stories of UCC that are not featured in the general history tour, and offered a fascinating glimpse into the university’s rich and sometimes surprising past.
Highlights of the tour included:
- The Creation of Queen's College, now UCC, in 1845 - This was created after a long campaign for a higher education institution in Munster.
- Queen's College initial students and academics - This dealt with the background, gender etc. of the initial College population, when it was founded and how the College evolved in it's early years.
- The History of Cork County Gaol – The dark past of the former prison that once stood adjacent to UCC and its lasting legacy.
- Republican Activity at UCC – The university’s connections to Ireland’s revolutionary history and the role it played during key moments.
- The Burning of the West Wing – The dramatic story behind the fire that once engulfed part of the university.
- The Development of Modern Comforts at UCC – From candlelit corridors to cutting-edge facilities, the tour traced the evolution of student life.
- The Story of Bees at UCC – We learnt about the buzzing inhabitants of UCC and their vital role on campus.
- The Rarest Tree in the World – The story of a botanical wonder hidden in plain sight in UCC. This section of the tour detailed information regarding UCC's various trees, gardens and green areas.
- Queen Victoria's statue - The fascinating history of the statue, currently located in the Staff Common Room on the North Wing of the UCC Quad
The tour concluded with a short reading of a fictional story, by JP, set at UCC.
This exclusive tale added a creative touch to an already unforgettable experience.
Catherine O’Brien, Chairperson of the UCC R.S.A., thanked JP for a wonderful presentation.
2024 Activities and Events
Thursday, 27th June, 2024
This event was enjoyed by all attendees, prior to the Summer break.
He provided us with readings of a selection of his poems and provided the background and inspiration for these works.
The purchase of the manuscript by UCC was announced at a launch in January 2013.
The manuscript is to be preserved for posterity on behalf of the Irish people.
UCC raised the $1 million purchase price through private funding, both from individuals and organisations in Ireland and the US.
Fota House offered tea/coffee & cake in the café before the tour at rate of €6.00 per person.
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On Thursday, 11 th April the AGM of the Retired Staff Association will be held in the Council Room at 2.30pm.All are welcome and I will send out the Agenda for the AGM next week
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On Thursday, 9 th May at 2.00pm we have organised a Visit to Fota House and Gardens.I have negotiated a group rate of €9.00 per person for the Combination House & Victorian Working Garden Tour which lasts approx. 1 hour. The combination tour takes in the lower ground floor of the House & the Victorian Working Gardens which are located behind the main house next to the formal gardens. Fota House will offer tea/coffee & cake in the café before the tour at rate of €6.00 per person. Total cost per person for the event is €15.00 which is fantastic value.
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On Thursday, 13 th June, 2024 we will have a presentation from Theo Dorgan, Irish Poet and Author in the Council room to be followed by a 45 minute overview of The Great Book of Ireland/ Leabhar Mór na hÉireann in the Boole Library by Theo Dorgan. Check out https://www.theodorgan.com Theo is a graduate of UCC and it will be great to welcome him back to speak with us, as retired staff of the college.
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On Thursday, June 27 th at 7.00pm we will host the Annual Barbeque in Sunday's Well Tennis and Cricket Club for all RSA members
Members of the UCC Retired Staff Association visited the Lord Mayor's Office on 14 th March.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr. Kieran Mc Carthy, greeted the R.S.A. members and gave a presentation.
He spoke about the history of the City Hall and the Office of the Lord Mayor with great knowledge and passion.
Members found this to be very interesting & informative and were very appreciative of the Lord Mayor for hosting the Association.
Maeve Langford, Owner, Kaleidoscope Coaching / Facilitation and Director
2023 Activities and Events
As October was Cyber Security Awareness month our speaker was Katie Horgan, IT Analyst, IT Services, UCC
Katie spoke to us on Cyber Security and how we can all keep safe online.
Katie's very informative talk covered the following concepts:
- Why your data is important
- Account security (passwords, multi-factor authentication and password managers)
- Phishing and other scams
- Staying safe online
- How to respond if you’ve fallen victim to cyber crime
- Where to learn more
Our speaker Julie Oates from Age Action shared some interesting details about Age Action's Care and Repair services which may be of interest to our members.
ALONE can be contacted by phone at 0818 222 024 (from 8am - 8pm, seven days a week)
Tracy gave a breakdown of ALONE's volunteer roles and how members of the UCC RSA might like to get involved with this part of the organisation. ALONE Volunteer Support & Befriending Service can be contacted by email at volunteer@alone.ie or by phone 0818 222 024 (from 8am - 8pm, seven days a week). Further information on volunteering can be had at www.alone.ie/get-involved/volunteer/
Mark gave an invaluable talk on safety in the home particularly relating to fire safety. He put an emphasis on the ways and times that we use/misuse electrical equipment. He also raised issues and gave advice about the dangers of open fires, stoves etc.
John says: "I am committed to making my scholarship accessible to the wider public. I have been involved in numerous collaborations with local cultural stake-holders. Frequently I speak to local history societies and regional history festivals, and regularly appear in the national media.
A US manuscript comparable in beauty to our own Book of Kells is on loan to the Boole Library. This modern hand-illustrated Bible, which has been described as America's Book of Kells, was on show for a special event for members of UCC's Retired Staff Association.
Tuesday, 14 February 2023 at 3 00 pm. Talk "Calfskin, paper and the Irish Book"
Talk followed the UCC Retired Staff Association Get Together in the Council Room at 2:00pm
The guest speaker was Professor Pádraig Ó Macháin who gave a talk on: "Calfskin, paper and the Irish Book"
This talk draws on Prof. Ó Macháin's current research into how documents were made before paper was available. As well as giving talks to both expert and lay groups, he has recently been interviewed on radio ( https://www.rte.ie/radio/lyricfm/clips/21557873/). This research is of broad interest, taking in everything from chemistry to history. Prof. Ó Macháin brings his subject so vividly to life as you will gather if you listen to the radio interview, so we are surely in for a treat.
2022 Activities and Events
Tuesday, 13 Dec 2022 - Visit to Cork Savings Bank and Afternoon Tea
For our final get together before the new year we are visiting the Cork Saving Bank, 1 Lapp's Quay.
Tim Cronin Buildings and Estates Office has very kindly arranged this special tour for us and gave me a few lines below on when UCC bought the building. It is now part of the UCC Business School:
1 Lapp’s Quay and 16 Parnell Place were acquired by UCC from the City Council in 2015. A design team was procured in 2016 and the works contractor was procured in 2017. The first event was held in Lapp’s Quay in November 2018, so less than 3 years from acquisition to opening.
2 00 pm Meet at the entry to the Cork Savings Bank for a tour of approximately 30 minutes.
This will be followed by a special Christmas treat:
3 00 pm Afternoon Tea in the Maldron Hotel, South Mall. This includes sandwiches, cream cakes, scones, mince pies
Saturday, December 10 2022 - Lunch-time concert at the Triskel Arts Centre at 1 00 pm and lunch afterwards at the Farmgate restaurant in the English Market
The concert: The Ficino Quartet will play music by Schubert, Philip Glass, Ravel and a new commission by UCC graduate, Linda Buckley. The concert starts at 1pm and lasts 90 minutes.
Lunch afterwards is in the Farmgate Restaurant.
Friday, 2 December 2022 -
11:30am : Ecumenical Service in the Honan Chapel
12:30pm : Retired Staff Christmas Lunch in the Student Centre, UCC
Wednesday, 30 November 2022 - Book of Irish Poetry Launch
We are very kindly invited to the launch of a book of Irish Poetry "Fuinneog Earraigh" by Bart Bambury RIP to be held in the City Library, Grand Parade on Wednesday, 30 November 2022 between 6-8 pm.
Wednesday, 23 November 2022 - Coffee Morning at Aula Maxima in aid of Arc House
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am
Venue: Aula Maxima, North Wing, UCC
Tuesday, 20 November 2022 - Arts Club for Retired Staff - Art and Coffee Sunday Afternoon
Guided tour of Crawford Art Gallery and coffee afterwards in Perry Street Market Café.
Enjoy some calm this Sunday afternoon (20th November) on a free hour-long guided tour of the Crawford Art Gallery at 2pm.
We will have refreshments afterwards in the adjacent Perry Street Market Café.
Tuesday, 8 November 2022 - Department of Folklore - Staff Oral History project
Venue: Staff Dining Room (now called Staff Restaurant)
Mr James Furey, Project Coordinator, Department of Folklore and two third year UCC students Orla Ryan and Tanya Coates will also attend. This is to assist us with re igniting the staff Oral History project that we are undertaking for the Retired Staff Association.
Tuesday, 10 October 2022 - Philosophy at the Glucksman 2022
We are delighted to invite you to Philosophy at the Glucksman, a phenomenology workshop exploring themes of self-consciousness and self-image through the Fashion Show: Clothing, Art and Activism exhibition.
All are welcome, and no background in philosophy or art is required, so please feel free to spread the word!
The workshop is free, but spaces are limited, so if you’d like to join us, please email alxbraa@gmail.com.
Dr Alessandro Salice, Alexander Bra - Department of Philosophy, UCC
Tuesday, 11 October 2022 - Dr John Cullinane's Talk - "Dances with Wars" - Council Room, UCC
Our colleague and friend Dr John Cullinane has kindly agreed to give us a talk entitled:
"Dances with Wars” subtitled “There’s more to Irish Dancing than Flatley, Wigs and Makeup".
John traces the development of Irish dancing as an expression of Irish national identity in the times of the War of Independence up to the effects of the Ukranian - Russian War. Irish dancing throughout five continents in some 30 countries.
John Cullinane. TCRG. ADCRG. BG. SDCRG
Tuesday, 13 September 2022 at 2 00 pm in ORB 202 (Room 202 O Rahilly Building).
Guest Speaker: Ms Anne Devine with a talk entitled "Encourage Yourself, Encourage Others
Tuesday, 13 September 2022 - Preview of the Irish Civil War documentary
The documentary will have a live soundtrack provided by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in the Cork Opera House
Start time: 8pm. Tickets €10.
Friday, August 19 2022 - Heritage Week Event in Cork City Library
Cliona O'Carroll and James Furey, Project Coordinator with Catching Stories, would like to invite the Retired UCC Staff members to our upcoming Heritage Week event (Friday 19th, Cork City Library Grand Parade, 12-1pm). James will be presenting the project and playing extracts from interviews, and we hope to have a good discussion also.
Sunday, 10 July 2022 - Open Garden in Aid of Marymount Hospice
Gertie and Maurice O'Donoghue are opening their garden in aid of Marymount Hospice.
The garden of Gertie & Maurice O'Donoghue at Dromboy, Carrignavar (T34 HK37) will open on Sunday, 10 July, 2.00-6.00pm, in aid of Marymount Hospice.
Thursday, 30 June 2022 - Retired Staff Association Summer Barbecue
Venue: Tennis Club, The Mardyke Date: Thursday, 30 June 2022 Time: 7 00 pm
Tuesday, 14 June 2022 - Tour of the Hub Building, UCC.
Time: 2:00pm. Followed by light refreshments in the Staff Dining Room (Staff Restaurant).
Buildings and Estates has kindly agreed to give us a tour of the new Hub.
Those attending the tour will meet at the entrance to the Hub.
Tuesday, 12 April 2022 - UCC Retired Staff Association Annual General Meeting
Day and Date: Tuesday, 12 April 2022 Time: 2 00 pm
Venue: ORB 255 (O Rahilly Building - Room 255)
Tuesday, 8 February 2022 - Kara O'Donnell O'Reilly talk about nutrition
This is the recording of the wonderful talk that Kara gave us on nutrition. video1413202616.mp4