Superann Newsletter 23rd April 2017

If you missed any of the previous Newsletters or Photos go to the website at www.superannrte.ie and click on the Newsletter or Photos archive and then the date......of the Newsletter or Photos you want to view....

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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The death has occurred of Eamonn LAWLOR  Raheny, Dublin / Donabate, Dublin

Our deepest sympathy to our colleague Áine Lawlor and the Lawlor family on the death of her father Eamonn Lawlor.

The  following notice appears:

LAWLOR Eamonn (Ned, The Boxer) (Raheny, Dublin and formerly of Donabate, Co. Dublin) 22nd April 2017 (peacefully) in the devoted care of the staff of Tara Winthrop Nursing Home surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Anne ; very sadly missed by his children Aíne, Siobhán, David, Meabh, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, much loved grandchildren, niece Jeannie, relatives, friends and neighbours.

Rest in Peace..

Reposing at Jennings Funeral Home, Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock on Monday 24th April 2017 between 4 o’clock and 6 o’clock. Removal on Tuesday 25th April to St. Monica’s Church, Edenmore, arriving for 11 o’clock Requiem Mass, followed by burial in Fingal Cemetery.

(Many thanks to colleague Hilary McGouran for alerting m eto this sad news.. CB) 

Date Published: Sunday 23rd April 2017   Date of Death: Saturday 22nd April 2017

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Death of colleague Michael Bogdanov former RTÉ Producer Director  

Our deepest sympathy to the Bogdanov family on the death of our colleague Michael Bogdanov who  lived in Dublin for 11 years, working in theatre and as a producer and director with RTÉ ...Many thanks to colleague Kevin Reynolds who has sent me details of Michael's career and tells me that he  was a guest on Rattlebag when he produced the programme.

Theatre director and founder of the English Shakespeare Company whose 1980 production of The Romans in Britain led to an obscenity trial

 

 

After the seven-play Wars of the Roses in 1989, Michael Bogdanov won the Olivier best director award and went on to produce Coriolanus, The Winter’s Tale and Beowulf. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

 

"There was nothing timid or compromised about the work of the theatre director Michael Bogdanov, who has died aged 78. In tandem with the actor Michael Pennington, he founded and ran the English Shakespeare Company for 12 years from 1986, starting with the history plays and racing through the canon on tours of Britain, mainland Europe and the US, with stop-offs in London at the Old Vic.Although he directed at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and was for eight years from 1980 an associate director of the National Theatre under Peter Hall, he set out his stall against what he considered an Oxbridge conspiracy to squeeze the life out of Shakespeare and the classics in productions of anaemic conformity to the critics’ expectations. He was an unreconstructed socialist, a cultural iconoclast and a man of enormous warmth, energy and passion.He worked as Peter Brook’s assistant on the landmark 1970 RSC production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and that was as good as it got, he felt: “In the theatre, the Living Theatre were a revelation, Peter Brook a confirmation, Jan Kott [the Polish critic who influenced Brook] a consummation, English critics an abomination.” He was a ferocious polemical writer and, in a book of thoughts and reminiscences, The Director’s Cue (2013), he launched a scathing and hilarious attack on one critic in particular, without naming him or her; everyone had their preferred candidate for the abuse and several proudly claimed the soiled badge of dishonour for themselves. ..

 

Michael Bogdanov, theatre director, born 15 December 1938; died 16 April 2017  

 

( Many thanks to colleague Kevin Reynolds for alerting me to this sad news and sending this obituary ....Many of us worked with Michael in RTÉ Television ...May he rest in peace.) CB

 

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Death of colleague Terry Kelleher ( formerly RTÉ London Office) brother of colleague John Kelleher ( Formerly  RTÉ Producer/ Director and Controller of TV Programmes)

Our deepest sympathy to colleague John Kelleher and the Kelleher family on the death of his brother Terry ...

The following notice will appear:

Kelleher, Terry (Saint-Rémy de Provence), April 18th (peacefully), at Centre Hospitalier Arles, following a very long illness, borne with outstanding courage. Dearly loved father of Jenni and grandfather of Lily; much loved and sadly missed by his step-children Rebecca and Dan; brother John; sister Siún; son-in-law Tony; sister-in-law Amanda, brother-in-law Peter; nieces Fiona, Patricia, Oonagh, Nan and Róisín; nephew Macdara; step-grandchildren, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins and a treasured circle of friends. Funeral service at Crématorium de Nimes, France, on Friday, 28th April at 1100. A memorial service in Dublin to celebrate Terry's life will be held later in the year.

After graduating with a law degree from UCD, Terry became Deputy Editor of Hibernia (aged 21!). He then worked for the Sunday Press in Dublin before moving to London to work as radio and television reporter in RTE's London office. In the mid-70's he joined Thames TV as a researcher, then producer. He later became Deputy Head of Thames News, then Editor of 'The City Programme'. After Thames lost its franchise in 1991, he established Platinum Productions, the highly successful independent production company. In 2004 he moved to live in Saint-Rémy de Provence, where he bore the burden of MS with remarkable fortitude....

 

(My thanks to colleague Joe Mulholland for alerting me to this sad news..and to colleague John Kelleher for the above ...CB)

 

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RTÉ Retired Staff Association ( Defined Benefit) AGM 2017

(Chair : Eddie Bolger, Vice Chair : Joe Harris, Treasurer; Mary Courtney, Secretary Brian A. Comiskey)

AGM 2017

Thursday 4th May 2017 at 12.00 noon.

Talbot Hotel ( formerly The Stillorgan Park Hotel) 

Stillorgan Road, Co. Dublin.

Telephone 01 200 1800

Bus Routes : 46A & 145

There is a proposal from the Secretary that clause 11 of The Articles of Association be changed to

"Notification of the date, time and place of the AGM and any EGM shall be posted

by ordinary mail and / or email to all members not less than 10 days in advance of such meetings".

RTÉ Staff who are Active or Deferred Members of the RTÉ Defined Benefit Scheme

are most welcome to attend our AGM -   Eddie Bolger.

RTÉ Retired Staff Association ( Defined Benefit), PO Box 12250, FREEPOST, Dublin 16.

Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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Cumann Rioga Teilifis

Royal Television Society

Republic of Ireland Centre

“Two of the biggest live TV events  broadcast in RTÉ's history.

These were the General Election results coverage and the

State Commemoration of the Centenary of the 1916 Rising ”.

John O'Regan and Margaret Bennett,

RTÉ's Executive Producers for Current Affairs Special Events,

will outline how those projects were planned and delivered to air...

Tuesday 25^th April 2017

At 8.p.m.

Studio 4 Audience Reception – RTÉ Television Centre

For Invitations - Charles Byrne  087 2513092 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

oyal Television Society

Republic of Ireland Centre

“Two of the biggest live TV events  broadcast in RTÉ's history.

These were the General Election results coverage and the

State Commemoration of the Centenary of the 1916 Rising ”.

John O'Regan and Margaret Bennett,

RTÉ's Executive Producers for Current Affairs Special Events,

will outline how those projects were planned and delivered to air.

Tuesday 25^th April 2017

At 8.p.m.

Studio 4 Audience Reception – RTÉ Television Centre

For Invitations - Charles Byrne  087 2513092 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

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You will remember that our RTÉ Staff One World Fund has supported 

St. John's School in Kachibora 

If any of our colleagues wish to contribute, in a personal capacity,  to helping the above serious situation

please send any  contributions however small,  to Tony Mac Donald , Sacristan , c/o Sacred Heart Church , Donnybrook , Dublin, 4. 

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Latest photos of the very near completed Dormitory in Kachibora 

Dormitory building in St Johns school in Kachibora under construction supported by the RTÉ Staff One World Fund..

(Many thanks to Tony McDonald for the Photos from Fr Julius..)

Tony assisted a submission to the RTÉ One World Fund, being in Donnybrook Parish, from Fr. Julius in Kachibora, and recently your OWF committee agreed a contribution of €3,000 to St. John's Primary School Project in Kitale in Kenya.  Fr. Julius aims to build a dormitory and our contribution will be used to start the project and build the dormitory.. Here are some photos that we have received from Fr. Julius.   We will keep you up to date with the project as it progresses.. Many thanks to Tony McDonald ( Donnybrook Church Sacritan) for this update on the  project

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Cycle against Suicide

Please Support... 

Our Colleague John Gibbons will be

on the cycle again this year.... and sends us this message...

Hello everybody,

The 5th annual ‘Cycle against Suicide’ takes place, as you can see, from April 23rd to May 6th 2017. Up to 1,000 cyclists may take part on one day. People do it for many reasons, some have had their lives torn apart through depression or have lost loved ones or friends through Suicide. They are all striving to find answers. I intend to participate in the whole event covering some 1,400 Kms over 14 days. The event starts at Swords Castle on April 23rd 2017 then on to Dundalk Castlewellan, Belfast, Castleblaney, Granard, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Limerick, Fermoy, Thurles, Carlow, through Kildare and then back to Dublin on May 6th .

They cyclists visit schools at various locations around the country, with the message ‘ITS OK NOT TO FEEL OK, AND ITS ABSOLUTLEY OK TO ASK FOR HELP’. The students are all informed of the various help organisations they can contact without judgement Teenline, Samaritans or LGBT organisations. At the start in 2013 organisations had to approach young people checking if they were Ok, but now more young people are approaching these organisations, and also their teachers (to their delight) with issues affecting them.

This year I am seeking Sponsorship for the ‘Jack and Jill foundation’. This organisation based in Johnstown Bridge, Co. Kildare, was founded by Johnathan Irwin. His son Jack Irwin was born – a bonny bouncy baby. Two days later he suffered some invasive trauma in the hospital’s nursery.
While history does not reveal the immediate aftermath of this drama, it is probable that he died and was resuscitated. Certainly from that moment on, Jack could not swallow and was probably blind and deaf. His parent’s dreams were shattered and the heartbreaking task of keeping Jack alive began.
The Jack & Jill Foundation provides nursing care and support for children with severe neurological development issues, as well as offering some respite to the parents and families. This could be through home visits from nurses, with practical tips on how to access the services a child will need. Listening to what parents want for their child and making representations on their behalf.

The senior pediatrician in the hospital was brutal but honest

Asked for a route map of care for Jack once he left their intensive care unit, it was made clear that there were simply no services in Ireland available in 1997 to a baby like Jack. He cautioned that Jack’s needs would threaten the marriage and certainly damage the childhood of his healthy brothers and sister. To escape this trap, he advised the only way out was to get him admitted to one of the children’s hospitals. Then and only then would the State have to take responsibility for him.
Spine chilling advice that resolved Jack’s parents to take action. Never again would any Irish family have to face such a horror

Jack lived for 22 months – a desperate and painful life. A mix of drugs, physio, postural drainage, seizures, reflux operations, gastronomy and suctioning. The only saving grace was that he was cosy and warm and nursed around the clock by a dedicated band of five nurses and carers from the neighbourhood.
His short life showed his parents the ideal way in which little children like Jack can be nursed. From their experience evolved the home respite care that has now been offered to over 1700 children and their families all over Ireland since 1997.
This leads to a situation where the Jack & Jill Foundation not only has to raise funding of up to €2.7 million per annum but must act as advocate for it’s families helping in securing a carer’s allowance, a medical card, correct housing, special equipment or a primary medical certificate.
16 Euro will provide 1 hour home nursing care for a child.

Thanks a million everyone.
John Gibbons.

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Discount Prescriptions & Pharmacy 

Healthwave Dundrum.....

Get Membership..

Unit 2.4 Dundrum retail and Office Park..Dublin, 16. 

 TEXT PHARMACY  to  50123 for a call back..

have a look at their website ..Healthwave.ie if you join you can save significant amounts on your prescriptions for a fee of €25 per year..for the whole family...( now with a €10 discount) Give the following referral code 6r4n39 which will help support the website..

When you join quote this reference number 6r4n39

and ask for the discount on the yearly fee. CB

https://healthwave.ie/?gclid=Cj0KEQiAuf2lBRDW07y3z6f96awBEiQA0IngJtUwU_k8tVanlcS-ExO6s33WS6TvR2HHWnWykXiBgFgaAvpu8P8HAQ

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Start the week with a smile from colleagues Maurice Byrne & Katie Kahn Carl .....

Ten years later, at age 50, the friends once again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in Uxbridge because the waitresses were attractive, the food and service was good, and the beer selection was excellent.

Ten years later, at age 60, the friends again discussed where they should meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in Uxbridge because there was plenty of parking, they could dine in peace and quiet with no loud music, and it was good value for money.

Ten years later, at age 70, the friends discussed where they should
meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in Uxbridge because the restaurant was wheelchair
accessible and had a toilet for the disabled.

Ten years later, at age 80, the friends discussed where they should
meet for lunch. Finally it was agreed that they would meet at Wetherspoons in Uxbridge because they had never been there before.

 

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Two Irish Women in a Bar…

With thanks to colleague Maurice Byrne...

Two women were sitting next to each other at a bar.

After a while, one looks at the other and says, ' can't help but think, from
listening to ya, that you're from Ireland.'

The other woman responds proudly, 'Aye, I surely am!'

The first one says, 'So am I! And where about in Ireland are ya from?'

The other woman answers, 'I'm from Dublin, I am.'

The first one responds, 'So, am I!! And what street did ya live on in Dublin ?'

The other woman says, 'A loovely little area. It was in the west end. I lived on Essex Street in the old central part of town.'

The first one says, 'Faith and begorrah it's a small world. So did I! So did I!
And what school did ya go to?'

The other woman answers, 'Well now, I went to Holy Heart of Mary, of course.'

The first one gets really excited and says, 'And so did I! Tell me, what year did you graduate?'

The other woman answers, 'Well, now, let's see. I graduated in 1964.'

The first woman exclaims, 'The Good Lord must be smiling down upon us! I can hardly
believe our good luck at winding up in the same pub tonight! Can you believe it? I graduated
from Holy Heart of Mary in 1964 me self!'

About this time, Michael walks into the bar, sits down, and orders a beer.

Brian, the bartender, walks over to Michael shaking his head and mutters, 'It's going to
be a long night tonight.'

Michael asks, 'Why do you say that, Brian?'

Brian answers, 'The Flanagan twins are drunk again.

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 That's all for now.... Have a good Week...CB