ICA ladies have a lot of talent

THE Wexford Federation of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) convened in Camross Hall last Wednesday to showcase their talents for a rapt audience.

Its ‘ICA Has Got Talent’ final consisted of eight different categories and saw members from each of the county’s 33 guilds compete for a variety of prizes.

And it was a home favourite who took the plaudits, Cheryl O’Neill, Dympna Kelly and Breda Nolan from Camross named winners on the night for their novelty performance of ‘Aggie and Maggie’ an original work written by Michael Doyle.

In second place was Anne Dunne from Bree who sang ‘Cavan Girl’ in the solo singing category. The third-placed team were also from Bree; Karen Keegan, Stephanie Murphy and Josephine Murphy impressing the judges with their team dance entitled ‘When you’re dancing - Irish style’.

Fourth place went to Breda Jacob, Oulart, for her recitation of ‘Nell Flaherty’s Drake’.

In addition, a special award was presented to Billie O’Donnell of Taghmon for her recitation of a poem which was called, ‘Me’.

All the winners received Paul Maloney pottery. Breda Banville was MC on the night and she was taken aback by the numbers in attendance.

‘We had a packed crowd, we couldn’t believe it, there was a lot of non-members in attendance,’ she said.

And with the third-highest membership in the country to cater for, Breda, who is the PRO for the county branch, is constantly working to promote Wexford ICA.

‘We have our AGM on Monday, April 29 and then we have our special occasion competition, which has a theme of ‘ICA on Tour’, that will be held on June 6 in Kilanerin. We try to bring events round the county because we’re a countywide organiation.’

Ballyoughter ICA group performing a sketch, ‘School Around The Corner’ (from left): Emily Parker, Florence Dixon, Betty Jones and Louise Kinsella.

The Cushinstown ICA group singing ‘My God (My Guy)’ from Sister Act.

Ann O’Connor from Oulart ICA singing ‘Old Maid in the Garrett’.

Taghmon ICA ladies who danced a half set: Maureen Roche, Meabh Dolan, Josephine Grennan and Chris Whitty.

Lillian Mahon Gorey ICA (centre) who was fifth for her recitation of ‘Mr Flanagan’s Goat’, with Mary D’Arcy, Federation president, and adjudicator Marie Asple.

Mary D’Arcy, president, presents the prize for sixth place to Helen Furlong for the Adamstown ICA sketch, ‘Classroom Capers’.

Anne Dunne, Bree ICA, who sang ‘Cavan Girl’, receives her second place prize from Mary D’Arcy, Federation president.

Mary D’Arcy, Federation president, makes a special presentation to the adjudicator, Marie Asple.