Haymaking season in my young days

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I was brought up on a farm near Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. The Haymaking season was one of the more exciting events in the year. Because I was one of five girls and with only one brother we usually had to help out with all the farm tasks. These included bringing in the cows for milking., feeding calves, sowing potatoes, picking potatoes, pulping turnips , feeding fowl, bringing in water etc.,etc.

I looked forward to the day the hay was brought in and safely stacked in the hayshed. I have memories of lovely sunny days. Everyone was up early. The horse was brought in from the field and harnessed up to the tram car. The neighbours arrived one by one eager to help. My Uncle Harry and Aunt May paid their annual visit from Manchester to help with the hay-making. This photo shows - from left to right - myself, May Armitage, my young sister Philomena, my sister Breda on top of the tram and my late Father and Uncle Harry.

When the hay was safely "trammed" and ready to be put into the hayshed, each tram was loaded on to the tram- car by a wire pully. As children, we loved to sit for a free ride on the back of the car dangling our legs as it raced down the hill. It was hard work forking it into the shed and we all took our turn depending on our age.

The picnic in the meadow was a wonderful treat. My mother, who was a greatcook,arrived in the field with all kinds of home made goodies. The tea and the apple pies tasted particularly good. The smell of new-mown hay always reminds me of those glorious hay-making days.

The Active Retirement Group in Ballinasloe is very aptly named. It was set up in 2002 by a small group of people, and now has a membership of 150 people from all walks of life.At that time there was nothing in the town catering for the needs of the older person. There were a lot of lonely and isolated people in the town and surrounding areas and this Association opened up a whole new way of life for them. Being part of a group meant they they now had the opportunity to meet new friends ,go away for a week-end break, go on holidays abroad, take computer classes . Now they had the time and chance to take up that hobby they never had time for when they were rearing their families.

The group meets in Hayden's Hotel every wednesday for a friendly cup of tea and the ever important chat and a laugh. On the first Wednesday of every month there is a large meeting of all the members. This is usually preceded by an informative talk on various subjects from banking to finance to security. Health issues are also very important. Blood pressure etc. is checked at regular intervals.

We take part also in Community affairs i.e.October week parade (at which we won first prize last year) St.Patrick's day parade .Our greatest achievement of all was the making of our very own film documentary. Long may the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association continue. It has improved the quality of life for a lot of people. Only for it I would not be able to use this Computer.

Travel, Theatre and social outings proved to be extremely popular amongst our members. A Social Committee was set up in 2004. They have excelled themselves by organising many wonderful holidays and short breaks at home and abroad. 56 members embarked on a memorable Med Cruise in 2006. It was a dream come true fot many.

Entering into the world of technology was a huge challenge. The humble pen and paper which we were brought up with were now becoming a thing of the past. Brendan Smith from Galway
came to the rescue. Every week, he patiently introduces us to the world of computers We heard about E-Mailing and downloading and blogging and the wonderful world of the world wide web.