Post January 2026 update

UNITED NATIONS - DECADE OF HEALTHY AGEING.   2021 – 2030

https://www.decadeofhealthyageing.org/

Adding Life to Year

OUR FIRST CENTENARIAN

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY MADGE

January 2026 meeting

​In a room full to capacity we were delighted to celebrate Madge’s recent centenarian birthday with a very heartfelt rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ and gifts.   Madge was born in Dungannon in January 1926, and also was the first Air Hostess from Northern Ireland to join Aer Lingus in 1946.  Madge is an active member of Age Action Ireland and regularly attends Age Action’s Events/AGM’s including fund raising events.  

Over the years Madge has also been an active member of U3A Sutton Baldoyle self-directed learning group, a member of the Steering Group and facilitated and coordinated numerous Group events/trips – including a memorable trip to Northern Ireland to the Seamus Heaney Homeplace in Bellaghy Co Derry.

Photo: Madge at the Meeting Point, Connolly Station

1.    POST JANUARY 2026 MEETING UPDATE

Liz welcomed everyone to the meeting, especially those who came along for the first time and our speaker, Brian Crowley, Curator of Collections for Kilmainham Gaol and the Pearse Museum

2.   Topic: THE LIFE OF COUNTESS MARKIEVICZ - Through the pages of her Prison Prayer Book : 

Brian held our attention for over an hour with a fantastic presentation on the Life of Countess Markievicz – through the pages of her Prison Prayer Book.  This Prayer Book is now part of the Kilmainham Gaol collection.

He outlined that while a prisoner in Cork Gaol in January 1919, Countess Markievicz acquired a copy of ‘The Augustinian Manual’, a prayer book compiled by Rev. Richard A. O’Gorman and published in 1915.    Markievicz[nee Gore-Booth] used the prayer book to record the deaths of friends and comrades killed in the struggle for Irish independence by cutting images, articles and poems from contemporary newspapers and pasting them onto the pages of her prayer book, creating a unique, and deeply personal record. 

The Prayer book of Countess Markievicz, includes notes of farewell from Paddy Moran and Thomas Whelan both of whom were executed in Mountjoy Jail in March 1921:   Brain elaborated on the story of the Executions in Mountjoy Jail in 1921.

If you would like to explore this further and/or refresh there is a You Tube video - Countess Markievicz’s Prison Prayer Book  that maybe of interest.  

At the end of the presentation Liz thanked Brian very much for coming out to us and sharing his passion and interest with us.

3.   UPCOMING VISITS.

a.    FEBRUARY 17 2026 – VISIT TO DAIL EIREANN, MEET  AT 10.30AM DAIL SECURITY GATE KILDARE STREET.

Liz informed the group that the list for this visit will be closed at the next meeting on February 11 2026. It is important that that those who listed themselves for this visit confirm that they are still interested. 

The Group will meet at the Dail Security Gates, Kildare Street at 10.30.   As a requirement for Dail security reasons the final names will be sent to the Dail representative in advance.

b.   JULY 8TH -VISIT TO CURRAGHMORE HOUSE & GARDENS CO WATERFORD.   https://curraghmorehouse.ie/history/

Monica reported back to the Group that she and Caitronia were researching some places to visit over the summer and suggests a visit to Cullaghmore House and Gardens in Waterford.    She said that this House dates back to the 12 th century has an interesting Shell House and collection of artefacts and artwork from the 18th and 19th Centuries.

This visit will require the hiring of a coach and estimated costs were provided and shared at the meeting.

Following further discussions with the venue Monica reported that a private tour for our Group on July 8th  has been arranged with the Guide at the venue.   An expression of interest list will be commenced at the February 11 meeting for those who wish to go along.

c. OTHER VISITS

The group were advised that individuals can put forward suggestions for further visits and events for the coming months .   Each of these events/visits require two individuals to research venue, facilitate and organise the event.

Please note that new teams of volunteers are needed to implement the 2026 programme of events/activities.   Please consider putting your name forward.      

4.       FINGAL AGE FRIENDLY 5 YEAR STRATEGY 2026-2030

You may remember that there was an consultation process that included community groups and our U3A group attended one in Suttonian Rugby Club.   This strategy was launched on January 16 2026 and Eileen S attended.

The strategy can be downloaded and read on the following Fingal Age Friendly website.

https://www.fingal.ie/fingal-age-friendly-strategy

5.   VENUE CHANGE.

There was brief discussions regarding a venue change and further information will be provided at the February 11 meeting in Baldoyle Library.

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NEXT MEETING – FEBRUARY 11 2026

10.30 am – 12.35 pm

BALDOYLE LIBRARY.

ES/ January 30 2026