Featured image is Ann Fleeton, Jessica Hanney and Anne O’Dea (thanks Anne for organising a great day)
MARCH AND APRIL BOOK REVIEWS ARE NOW UP ON BOOK CLUB PAGE
Article as it appeared in Cork Examiner Farming Supplement 9 April 2015
Go to photos page or photos from recent events/outings
Thanks to Sheila who looked after us very well, down to the last little detail (like the chocolates on the way home in the bus) – it was like being a Countess for a day
These are some notes from Guild Meetings
In February we met Eileen Dunne who gave us her personal and professional reflections as an RTE
broadcaster. A very charming person we had a delightful evening. Thanks Eileen.
also, on 26th Feb we had Kitty Scully of Airfield and RTE fame speak to us about Spring Gardening. Kitty herself is “like a breath of spring” a great inspiration to us to get out into our gardens, windowboxes and we are certainly going to visit her in Airfield at Dundrum and partake in her workshops this spring.
On Thursday 22nd Jan we had the pleasure of meeting Bryan Fanning who gave a very interesting talk on “books that shaped a nation”
On January 8, 2015 we met
Michael O’Regan, Irish Times, speaker at our first Guild Meeting 8 Jan 2015 with some Committee Members.
I want to say a special thanks to the Committee for the very hard work they put into organising the Christmas Party.
- Especially, Ann and Fidelma for arranging catering and decorating the Hall.
- Sheila for finding the the band.
- Mairead and Joan for their work with the choir and
- a very special thanks to the members who did “party pieces”
- Jean Harkin for Photos that are now on web site http://marlayguildica.com
- Angeline for her star decorations.
IF I FORGOT SOMEONE – TELL ME PLEASE.
Other Items:
An Grianan Christmas visit was a success mainly due to hiring the bus. Some of the courses went better than others. Our visit could be earlier I think. We will remember this later in the year.
Tea Group (under Fidelma) thanks for your sterling work to date. When this group works well it is amazing how it contributes to the smooth running of Guild Meetings – THANKS
Fidelma has some ICA Competitions for you to participate in during the coming months and I strongly urge all to enter. Ask her about them.
I ask members to:
continue to participate in outings/competitions. They will come up this evening and
attend the Federation Meeting on Wed Jan 21 in Gresham Hotel at 7.30pm
letter from Aisling Brady, RTE Audience Researcher to Guilds (via Federation)
Ladies, I spoke to Aisling and said I’d let Guilds know in case anyone would like to attend, please contact her directly if you do.
———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Brady, Aisling <Aisling.Brady@rte.ie>
Date: Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 3:52 PM
Subject: Claire Byrne Live
To: “blackrockguild@gmail.com” <blackrockguild@gmail.com>
Cc: “dublinfederation@gmail.com” <dublinfederation@gmail.com>
Dear Anne,
It was lovely talking to you there and I’m delighted you enjoyed the Prime Time programme you attended on ‘Home Rule’. I am now getting in touch with you regarding the new flagship current affairs programme on a Monday night ‘Claire Byrne Live’. I have now moved to this programme and I would like to invite you to attend one of our ‘Claire Byrne Live’ programmes.
I have availability on the following dates;
January 26th 2015
March 2nd 2015
March 16th 2015
I also meant to mention that all audience members must fill in an application form. The key details I need from each audience member are, their name, whether they are a member of a political party or campaign (or N/A) group and their contact details. I will be in touch with more details on the content of the programme closer to the date of your choosing.
As you may or may not be aware, the show is replacing the current Tuesday night Prime Time audience discussion programme and will incorporate some of the elements of previous shows such as The Frontline and Questions and Answers. Claire Byrne Live is an hour long audience programme that will include, reports, panel discussions and a live audience. Audience arrive at 9:15pm and the programme will go live at 10:35pm.
The topic and issues have yet to be confirmed. It is an enjoyable evening, with a small drinks reception after the programme. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year and I look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to discuss any of the above, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
CONTACT RTE directly if you can attend on any of the dates. N&J
CHRISTMAS PARTY PHOTOS ARE NOW ON PHOTOS PAGE – there are more to come and if anyone has any send them to the Guild.
Thanks, Jessica
DECEMBER
Our Christmas Dinner – held Thursday 11th December was an outstanding success judging by the number of compliments we have received. Thanks for attending in such numbers.
Our An Grianan Christmas visit – on 9th Dec was enjoyed by all who attended. Running a bus seems to have helped boost numbers.
NOVEMBER
Guild Competition – Christmas Table Arrangement Competition held at November Guild Meeting on 27th November. Competition results are:
1st prize Anne O’Dea
2nd Patsy Mitchell
3rd Jessica Hanney
National Federation ICA intend publishing another book next year. It will be about Christmas Preparations and they are asking for contributions – look at
ICA CORRESPONDENCE PAGE 2014-15
Two of our Guild Members have contributed to the publications of 
ICA. They are Emily McCarthy (The ICA Cookbook) and Pauline O’Dwyer to their latest publication. (cover illustrated here)
These books will make great presents at Christmas and at other occasions. The ICA publications are as follows:
The ICA Cookbook
The ICA Book of Home & Family
The ICA Book of Tea &Company
The ICA Book of Craft
At our second Meeting in November
Deirdre Purcell well known Author, actor and broadcaster talked to us 
about her life and times. We had a delightful evening just what was needed on a dark November night.
At our first Meeting in November we were treated to a very
entertaining evening when Morgan Gibbs,
a local artist, told us of his travels that inspired him to open his Art School in the nearby Eden Centre. He is also fulltime artist and we saw examples of his work that evening.
Ann O’Dea, Crafts Promoter 
had a very pleasurable card making class for her group on Saturday, Nov. 1,
Our BOOK CLUB is “reading away” if you pardon the pun. View Book Club’s page for titles read. Thanks to all participants. Everyone should visit the club. They meet on 3rd Thursday each month.
The Book Club has picked two books for Christmas reading
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS by Rebecca Skloot and THE PARIS WIFE by Paula McLain.
In lieu of the November meeting members had a very enjoyable visit to the DLR Lexicon Dún Laoghaire to attend a reading by Mary Costello of passages from her debut novel ACADEMY STREET.
Next BC Meeting is in January (third Thursday) see
Computer Circle – afternoon gathering being planned for the new year and will be held where we hold our Meetings in Marley Parish Centre, where they now have full wifi. On 8th Nov Deirdre Pickering gave a workshop on iPad/tablet use. It was very well received and another class is scheduled for February (date to be confirmed)
OCTOBER
On 9th October:
Brother Kevin Crowley was in attendance to express his gratitude for the funds raised for Capuchin Day Centre, Bow Street, Dublin 7. All funds raised go directly to supporting the work of the Centre. Annual running costs = e 2.1 Million, Funds allocated from the 
Government equate to 450K with the remainder from voluntary contributions of the public. Attendance at the Centre is increasing each year with more children coming with their parents. 1200 food parcels and 600 meals are provided each week.
Diarmaid Fleming was our guest speaker for this meeting. He gave a very insightful personal account of his career to date and the opportunities afforded to him through his love of music, his engineering career through to securing employment with the BBC and RTE. Above all was his absolute respect for the human 
being when dealing with difficult or traumatic situations. His journalism coups secured him front page news across the world. His charm, charisma, engagement and honesty held the attention of all members present on the night.
Una Connaughton gave the closing address as a mark of appreciation to Diarmaid and for been a friend to the Guild over the years.
On 23rd October our guest was Aidan Moran UCD Professor of Cognitive Psychology. He spoke about staying sharp and gave
expert tips to those of us who play sport. When he spoke about that big no-no, losing memory as you get older, he gave comfort rather than scared his listeners. In short he was riveting.
SEPTEMBER
Our first Meeting this year was on September 11.
Dr Lorraine Fitzsimons D’Arcy was our first guest speaker who engaged her audience with the benefits of walking for health. All one requires for walking is good footwear, the rest is free, benefits are many regardless of age. We are in the midst of beautiful parks in the locality and walking can be a great stress buster.
Eanna Ní Lamha spoke on 25th September about “The impact of humans on common wildlife”. She succeeded in entertaining, informing and making us more aware of our surroundings. Eanna is a firm favourite with Guild members.