Final Farewell

On the 2nd of November 2021 I handed over the President’s chain of office to my successor Brian Mangan from Limerick, President for 2021/2022. The magnificent gold chain of office remained in its box from March 2020 to the 1st November 2021.There were no great events or celebrations during 2020. All very mundane. It couldn’t be otherwise with the conditions imposed by Covid-19 on social gatherings. All I could do as President of RTAI was to send out several messages expressing hope for a better future, encouraging resilience and solidarity. The organisation issued three excellent editions of Comhnasc in which we let our members know that we cared about their welfare and well being, that we valued their membership and friendship and that we wanted to stay connected to them.

There were moments of joy too during our isolation. Friends recovered from the virus which gave us hope but sadly too we lost loved ones which caused great pain. To those who suffered loss and bereavement I extended my sincere sympathy. In my final address to the Branch secretaries present in the Gresham Hotel I gave special mention to Matt Reville, Mick Finn and Joe Cashin who joined, the NEC with me in 2013. I thanked Billy Sheehan, General Secretary, Siobhán, Patricia and Mick Mangan in head office and members of the NEC.  I expressed my gratitude to Branch secretaries who are the backbone of RTAI for their dedication and commitment to RTAI affairs. Through their work the NEC keeps in touch with what is happening around the country. I was particularly grateful to them for the ease and generosity of spirit with which they embraced the technology we were obliged to use to connect with Branch members through Zoom meetings during the long lonely months of lockdown.

My parting words for members were:

Take care of yourself,

Go easy on yourself,

Be kind to yourself,

Eat well, sleep well, stay strong,

Lift your spirits, there are brighter days ahead.

Keep moving,

The more you move the better the mood.

Above all, Care and Connect and love each other.

Thus ended my year 2020 as President of RTAI

Mary Kyne