Newsletter 5th March 2017
Superann Newsletter 5th March 2017
If you would like the Newsletter sent to your personal email address or if you have changed your email address, or know a colleague who would like to get the Newsletters, please send their email address to me Charles Byrne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Reminder to colleagues and those recently retired ...to be aware that the "RTÉ Alumni" meet every first Tuesday of the month from 13.00 Hrs in the Tara Tower Hotel.. Very informal gathering of colleagues having a snack and a chat....give it a try, you will be very welcome....CB
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RTÉ Alumni First Tuesday 7th March 2017 ( Next Tuesday )
Reminder to colleagues and those recently retired ...to be aware that the "RTÉ Alumni" meet every first Tuesday of the month from 13.00 Hrs in the Tara Tower Hotel.. Very informal gathering of colleagues having a snack and a chat....give it a try, you will be very welcome....Next get together 13.00 Hrs Tuesday March 7th 2017 ( Next Tuesday) ...CB
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Fintan Ryan - Tributes by colleagues Joe Mulholland and Mike Murphy..
Fintan Ryan's passing will be sorely felt by all who knew him and worked with him but our sadness will be tempered by the fact that his illness took a terrible toll in recent times on Fintan himself, on his loving wife, Ann and on their devoted children. For those of us who visited him, in my own case, alas, only occasionally, it was difficult to come to terms with the fact that this wonderful friend and colleague had to learn to cope with increasing disabilities including blindness. However, this man who had retained his boyish and handsome features and had never lost his athletic physique and whose mind had been so sharp and insightful and interested in everything around him, particularly, of course, broadcasting, fought hard to hold on to his positive and upbeat disposition. The fact of not being able to read newspapers and books was a particularly heavy burden to bear which was only lightened by one of Fintan's closest friends, Tony O'Connor, who provided him with the necessary technical means to enable him to listen to radio. Another long standing colleague and friend, Eamon Hayes, remained steadfast in his help and support for Fintan to the end.
Fintan himself was a great colleague and totally committed to his work and to RTÉ and its wellbeing. Of special importance was his 'Yes We Can' attitude to new technology at a time when it was not always easy to adapt to it and avail of its benefits. He took particular pleasure out of seeing news and current affairs, about which he was passionate, become more mobile with new, revolutionary satellite technology and more flexible work practices . His contribution to the development of broadcasting from abroad including from RTÉ's studios in London, Brussels and Washington was hugely important to RTÉ's evolution and development.
First and foremost, Fintan was a fine and generous-spirited colleague and liked nothing more than going for a pint with a few friends and talking politics or programmes which had either enthused him or had not measured up to his standards which were demanding.
As the Japanese say, 'If you want to know a man, look at his friends.' Fintan had many good friends who were staunch and caring to the end and I hope that, as Fintan would have wished, they meet for a pint, remember the pioneering days and give thanks that we have known this man.
Requiescat in pace
Joe Mulholland
( Many thanks Joe for that lovely tribute to Fintan ...we appreciate it very much..CB)
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Fintan was very special to me and all my team during the seventies and eighties. He went out of his way to facilitate and encourage all our ventures from 'the Likes of Mike' to ' Murphy's America' to "The Live Mike" and ' Murphy's Australia'. He bent the rules in the most subtle of ways to get our projects off the ground ,and, when they were in transmission he was a constant source of encouragement. He'd arrive in my office the morning after with a big grin on his face saying " fair play to you Murph , that was great stuff last night". He would then proceed to slag me to pieces in his typical colorful way, before leaving with a cheerful "keep it up".They were good and fruitful days when almost all of our output was in house, the atmosphere was one of fun and derring do, and people like Fintan, Stewart Hetherington and yourself, Charlie, were key facilitators to people like myself. The prevailing sentiment was ' let's just bloody do it!' We were all trying to achieve the same aims.... to make the best possible and the most entertaining shows . Fintan was one of the Special Ones. Best, Mike( Mike we can safely say that you captured our dear colleague Fintan really well in the above...I know Ann and the family will be delighted.. CB)+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Notice for Members RTÉ Sports and Social Club..
Dear Members,
The Committee will be holding two lunchtime information sessions next week to update you on the RTÉ relocation proposal that will be put to your vote on 15th March. There have been significant changes made to the proposal that we will outline at the meetings and we would urge all members to attend one of the sessions. The dates and times are:
WEDNESDAY 8TH MARCH 1:00pm - 2:00pm sharp
THURSDAY 9TH MARCH 1:00pm - 2:00pm sharp
Please also put in your diary the date of 15th March beginning at 7:30pm sharp - for two convened Club EGMs - the first to vote on the RTÉ Club relocation proposal and the other to vote on Constitutional changes regarding the proposal.
We will be emailing further details to all members shortly to the email address that you have supplied to us - if this has changed, for any reason, please ensure you contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Club Committee
Please note:
Details relating to the vote have been posted to all members to the address provided to us which may have been an internal RTÉ department address or home address. (if you have not received post from us, either at home or work, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure we have up-to-date contact details for you)
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Colm Wilkinson
Toronto Irish Person of the Year 2017
C
Colm Wilkinson, was honoured at a lunch on Sunday March 5th, 12 noon, at the Toronto downtown Hilton as Toronto 2017 Irish Person of the Year,
Colm Wilkinson also known as C. T. Wilkinson, is an Irish-Canadian Tenor and Actor, best known for originating the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables (in the West End and Broadway) and for taking the title role in The Phantom of the Opera at the Sydmonton Festival and in the original Canadian production.
Due to his association with these musicals, he reprised the role of Jean Valjean during the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert (at The Royal Albert Hall), as well as appearing as a special guest at the 25th Anniversary Celebrations of Les Misérables (at the O2 arena) and The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.
His versions of both “The Music of the Night” from Phantom and “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables are acclaimed throughout the world; fans “insist he perform them…at all his concerts.”
One of my personal favourites is his haunting performance of ONE by U2 at Centenary Celebrations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbUQs9NeXoQ
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RTÉ Archives Weekly
www.rte.ie/archives
www.twitter.com/rtearchives
RTÉ Archives Daily Stories are available at www.rte.ie/archives Coming up on www.rte.ie/archives…
My thanks to colleagues Liam Wylie and Colm Talbot for adapting the content and links they send us each week for the RTÉ Archive site.. These links should make it easier for you to get into the extensive RTÉ Archive site.. CB
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Dev revisits his Kilmainham cell, rugby Ireland v Wales 1952, Dublin Wax Museum, Ruby Wax, Mike Murphy Graham Norton, Irelands first crematorium and much more …
Here are the Top 10 most viewed daily archive stories at the moment.
1. What is Lent? http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0228/856174-what-is-lent/
2. Motor racing on Dunboyne roads http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0227/855770-motor-racing-on-dunboyne-roads/
3. When Donegal had a railway http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0228/856104-when-donegal-had-a-railway/
4. Dolores Keane live in Galway http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0228/856133-dolores-keane-in-the-quays-galway/
5. Renaming the streets of Killarney http://www.rte.ie/archives/2015/1204/751257-killarney-street-names/
6. Christy Ring http://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0228/507430-remembering-christy-ring/
7. Alex Higgins World Snooker Champion http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0227/855790-alex-higgins-world-snooker-champion/
8. UFO in Mullinahone http://www.rte.ie/archives/2013/0226/369613-ufos-in-mullinahone-1969/
9. Ronnie Delany Wins 880 at TCD http://www.rte.ie/archives/2014/0801/634559-ronnie-delany-wins-880-at-trinity-college/
10. Tradisiúin a bhaineann le Máirt na hInide agus Carghas i nDún Chaoin. http://www.rte.ie/archives/2017/0220/854027-shrove-tuesday-customs-in-dun-chaoin/
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GALA CONCERT in aid of HAITI- HAVEN - Reminder...
Saturday 11th March at The Convention Centre
John McColgan presents a Gala Concert, in aid of Haven, in the Convention Centre Dublin on Saturday, 11 March next. Artists include Riverdance, Mario Rosenstock, Brian Kennedy, Kila, Róisín O, Vladimir and Anton, and Patrick Bergin, with more special guests taking to the stage on the night. Tickets start from €25, and are on sale now through Ticketmaster.
Haven is an Irish NGO, strongly committed to empowering the people of Haiti to build sustainable livelihoods and to live free from poverty. Launched in 2008, it focuses on three core development areas: water and sanitation, training and education, and shelter. All proceeds raised at the Gala Concert will support Haven’s recovery work on the ground in Haiti following the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. Visit the following site for more information..
https://www.havenpartnership.com/
Watch the following You Tube Video to understand the problems..Remember Hurricane Mathew... CB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2CuLYxI4D0&feature=youtu.be
Haven is an Irish non-governmental organisation (NGO) which is strongly committed
to empowering the people of Haiti to build strong and sustainable livelihoods.
Launched in 2008, we work solely in Haiti, facilitating the provision of sustainable water and sanitation, training and education, and shelter solutions for its people.
Our vision is to build thriving communities which prosper independently, and in which every person has a safe place to call home.
To date, Haven has facilitated the training of over 78,000 Haitian people, empowering them to build strong, secure and sustainable livelihoods, and to live free from poverty. We have trained over 69,000 people in Hygiene Promotion, and built or upgraded homes and shelters for close to 20,000 people. We have directly employed more than 1,200 Haitian people, and brought over 1,400 volunteers to Haiti to assist with the building of houses through our volunteer programmes.
Well done John....CB
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THE 37th ANNUAL MACGILL SUMMER SCHOOL
The MacGill Summer School, now in its 37th year, will as usual, be held in Glenties, Co Donegal and will run from Sunday, July 16th to Friday, July 21st 2017
This year's MacGill will take place against a background of political uncertainty in Ireland - North and South - and international instability and turbulence. High on the agenda will be, not unexpectedly, Brexit, with growing anxiety that the negotiations between Britain and the European Union will create a difficult situation for Ireland, North and South and throw up economic and political challenges that will have to be confronted and dealt with skilfully and effectively by political leaders and all institutions of both jurisdictions. The MacGill School will focus on the many facets of the fallout from Brexit but not without taking account of the broader picture of the state of the European Union itself. The future direction of the Union, which undoubtedly has been weakened by the result of last year's referendum in the UK and the onward march of populism across Europe, is being questioned as never before at a time when its existence was never more vital.
And of course there are the threats, not only to this country but to the rest of Europe, of President Trump's national and international policies which may have become clearer and more cohesive by the summer. Of concern to Europe as well, especially in the countries to the East, is the belligerent attitude of Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin.
These developments take place at a time when government in Ireland has rarely been as unstable as it now is, and by July the mainstay of government, Fine Gael, will have a new leader. This leader, whilst facing up the challenges of Brexit and the post-election situation in Northern Ireland, will have to make choices as to the future shape of government and to creating a stable environment in which necessary reforms of our political and administrative institutions can be vigorously pursued. Recent events have shown that administrative reforms which have been at the centre of MacGill School proceedings in recent years have not been implemented and continue to deflect resources and attention from crucially important areas that urgently require strategic and visionary governance. This year's MacGill will return to these issues.
As usual, more than fifty contributors from Ireland and abroad, including EU Commissioners, political leaders and representatives of all areas of public life will assemble for what is now generally recognised as one of our most important and relevant national fora.
More information will be available on our website www.macgillsummerschool.com in the weeks and months ahead.
Joe Mulholland
Director
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Start the Week with a smile..
(With thanks to colleague Maurice Byrne..)
After a tiring day, a commuter settled down in his seat and closed his eyes.
As the train rolled out of the station, the young woman sitting next to him pulled
out her cell phone and started talking in a loud voice:
"Hi sweetheart. It's Sue. I'm on the train". "Yes, I know it's the six thirty and not
the four thirty, but I had a long meeting".
"No, honey, not with that Kevin from the accounting office. It was with the boss".
"No sweetheart, you're the only one in my life". "Yes, I'm sure, cross my heart!"
Fifteen minutes later, she was still talking loudly.
When the man sitting next to her had enough, he leaned over and said into the phone,
"Sue, hang up the phone and come back to bed."
Sue doesn't use her cell phone in public any longer.
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