Oct
03
10:30
The Bray Heads University of the Third Age (U3A) 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- 📅Thursday, October 3, 2024
- 🕥10:30 - 12:30
- 🏟Bray Golf Club(map)
Oct
10
11:00
Private Tour of the exhibition More Power to you: Sarah Purser – a force for Irish Art, Hugh Lane Gallery BOTH TOURS FULLY BOOKED
- 📅Thursday, October 10, 2024
- 🕥11:00 - 11:50
Private Tour of the exhibition More Power to you: Sarah Purser – a force for Irish Art
Where: Hugh Lane Gallery (originally named Municipal Gallery of Modern Art), Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
When: Thursday, 10th October 2024 at 11.00 and 12.00 BOTH TOURS NOW FULLY BOOKED
Fee: €5 (includes modest gratuity for the guide) to be paid in cash on the day.
Duration of tour: 50 minutes approx.
Places limited on each tour to 25 people
Sarah Purser (1848 – 1943) was born in Dún Laoghaire and studied in Switzerland, Dublin and Paris. On her return to Dublin, she established herself as one of the leading portraitists in the city.
She founded An Túr Gloine, stained glass studio; was instrumental in securing the interest of Hugh Lane in modern art which lead to the foundation of the Hugh Lane Gallery; and was a hugely influential figure in Irish artistic circles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both as an artist, collector and organiser. Many of her paintings are on view including portraits of Maud Gonne and Kathleen Behan.
We now have the opportunity of a private tour of this important exhibition with an expert guide from the Gallery.
This tour will be the ideal preparation for our talk on November 14th by Áine Andrews ‘Sarah Purser - Artist and Influencer in 20th Century Ireland’.
To book your place email info@thebrayheadsu3a.ie as soon as possible with ‘Purser exhibition’ in the Subject heading. Places are limited to 25 people so book now and don’t miss out!
Oct
17
10:30
The American Presidential Election
Dr Patrick Geoghegan History Professor, TCD & Broadcaster
- 📅Thursday, October 17, 2024
- 🕥10:30 - 12:30
- 🏟Bray Golf Club(map)
Oct
31
10:30
Wells and Wellbeing: Holy wells, Healing Reputations and Water Properties
Dr Bruce Misstear Adjunct Professor in Hydrogeology & Fellow Emeritus, TCD
- 📅Thursday, October 31, 2024
- 🕥10:30 - 12:30
- 🏟Bray Golf Club(map)
Although sacred wells and springs occur throughout the world, Ireland is unusual in having so many. Some of these holy wells probably date from pre-Cristian times whereas others are more recent. Many holy wells are still visited regularly, especially on the saint’s day (the patron or pattern day). Beliefs in the healing powers of holy wells are widespread, with pilgrims seeking cures for problems such as eye diseases, warts and rheumatism. Based on his recent research and book, Bruce will talk about the distribution of holy wells across the different landscape settings in Ireland and the beliefs and rituals associated with these wells. He will discuss the chemical make up of the waters and examine whether there are potential links between the water properties and the reputed cures. Bruce will end his talk by highlighting the need to preserve these fascinating cultural features for the benefit of future generations.
Dr Bruce Misstear is a Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College Dublin, where he has taught hydrogeology and environmental engineering for 30 years. He has worked on groundwater projects in UK, Africa, Middle East and Asia, as well as in Ireland. He is the author or co-author of 200 publications, including his recent book “Wells and Wellbeing: The Hydrogeology of Irish Holy Wells” which was published by Geological Survey Ireland in 2023. Bruce is a former Secretary General of the International Association of Hydrogeologists.
Nov
14
10:30
Sarah Purser - Artist and Influencer in 20th Century Ireland
Áine Andrews, Artist
- 📅Thursday, November 14, 2024
- 🕥10:30 - 12:30
- 🏟Bray Golf Club(map)
Nov
28
10:30
Diplomacy and Identity
Former Ambassador Bobby McDonagh
- 📅Thursday, November 28, 2024
- 🕥10:30 - 12:30
- 🏟Bray Golf Club(map)
In this talk to our Bray Heads U3A group, former Irish Ambassador, Bobby McDonagh, will be drawing on his own impressive diplomatic career, to illustrate the ways in which diplomacy and identity are closely interlinked. In particular, he will b e highlighting three principal diplomatic arenas in which he was involved, where identity has played a particularly important role: the European Union; the United Kingdom and its relations with Ireland; and the Northern Ireland peace process.
Bobby was educated at Gonzaga College Dublin and Balliol College Oxford.
During his diplomatic career, he served as Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, and as Ambassador to the United Kingdom, to Italy and to Malaysia. He also held several senior positions at Department of Foreign Affairs HQ in Dublin, including as Deputy Secretary General. He worked in the cabinets of two European Commissioners and was an official of the European Parliament.
Since retirement in 2018, he qualified as an executive coach at UCD’s Smurfit Business School and subsequently completed the advanced coaching course at the School. He now works as an executive coach and has a growing practice.
He is also a public commentator, including as a regular contributor to the Irish Times, on a wide range of international issues including the European Union and British-Irish relations. He has written extensively about the European Union.
He is married with four daughters and twelve grandchildren.
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