ICA ladies recall founder at day out

THE life and achievements of ICA founder Anita Lett were fondly recalled at a special ceremony by her graveside at Clonmore Church in Bree. An annual event, ICA members from all across the county gathered to pay their respects to a real visionary, as well as enjoy the fine weather with a get-together in the newly renovated ICA garden in the village.

ICA national president Marie O’Toole was among those in attendance on the day and Federation President Mary D’Arcy spoke a little bit about Anita Lett’s life and how the ICA came to be formed, describing her as a ‘woman who was before her time’. After placing a wreath on the grave, the group of some 70 ICA members sang their anthem ‘My Land’ before heading back to the garden.

The newly renovated, state of the art, fully accessible garden is situated on the site of the old Bree Hall, the very site where the first ever ICA meeting took place back in 1910.

Quite a bit of money has been spent on the garden recently by the National ICA, Wexford Federation and local guild along with Wexford County Council, to ensure that it is fully wheelchair accessible and is enjoyable for all.

Four beautiful new raised flower beds have also been installed – one for each season – and it was the perfect location for a picnic, a catch-up and some delicious Wexford strawberries in the sunshine.

Wexford Federation president Mary D’Arcy, Bree president Breda Cahill, national president Marie O’Toole and Wexford Federation vice-presidents Dee Devereux and Deirdre Connery.

Breda Donohoe, Carmel Mernagh, Phil O’Neill and Anne Doran.

Mary Nolan, Mary Fitzgerald and Marian Donnelly.

Rita Murphy, Margaret Kelly and Mary Thompson.

Sheelagh Delaney, Helen Furlong and Liz Furlong.

Anne O’Connor, Mella Winters and Breda O’Connor.

Colette Savage and Bridget Butler.

BB Kehoe, Mary D’Arcy and Margaret Fanning.