ICA lunch marks 110 years of the assocation in Wexford

ONE hundred and ten years ago, Anita Lett founded the Irish Countrywoman’s Association (ICA) in Bree with the lofty ambition to ‘improve the standard of life in rural Ireland through Education and Co-operative effort’. Over a century later and the fruits of that initial effort are still being felt in the Model County as Wexford is home to the second largest federation in Ireland, behind only Dublin, putting paid to the popular belief that the ‘country’ in countrywomen means rural Ireland rather than the whole nation.

The organisation is the largest women’s association in the country with almost 10,000 members and over 500 guilds.

Guild members from right across Wexford gathered at Clayton Whites Hotel to mark the milestone 110 years with a special ICA lunch. ICA Regional President Margot Hennessy was delighted to attend and Federation President Mary D’Arcy was delighted to be joined by past presidents Babs Crean, Barbara Tector, Dee Devereux, Breda Banville and Deirdre Connery, while Sadie Murphy and Gertie Rath were sadly unable to attend.

Deputy Mayor of Wexford Maura Bell spoke in glowing terms about the wonderful work undertaken by the ICA in Wexford, while the Regional President congratulated everyone in the Wexford federation and how it was the embodiment of the motto ‘fun and friendship’, offering an outlet to young women, new mothers, women who may be new to an area or those who are recently retired.

There were apologies from the National President of the ICA Josephine Hillary, who unfortunately couldn’t make it on the day, but passed on her best wishes to everyone in Wexford.

Not put off by the storm blowing up outside, some 240 ladies arrived for the event at Clayton Whites Hotel and enjoyed every minute of the historic occasion.

‘It was a great day,’ said PRO Breda Banville. ‘While the wind was blowing outside, the women were rocking inside and we had music from Tony Jeffers and dancing. We also had a huge raffle with over 25 prizes up for grabs donated by the members. We also had a two night stay in Clayton Whites Hotel with dinner, which was great and we were really well looked after by all the staff there.’

Breda also wished to thank all the members that donated prizes and helped in any way.

Ann Murphy (Federation Treasurer), Margot Hennessy (Regional President), Mary D’Arcy (Federeation President) and Mary Fitzgerald (Federation Secretary).

Lily Power, Theresa Murphy, Mary Cullen and Mary Kehoe from Bunclody Guild.

Mary Monaghan, Eithne McGee, Kathleen Murray and Chis Whitty from Taghmon ICA Guild.

Marian Hobbs, Eilish McCann, Florrie Dixon and Betty Jones from Ballyoughter ICA Guild.

Kathleen Kelly, Julia Redmond, Olive Doyle, Winnie Doyle and Margaret Gilbert from Monaseed ICA Guild.

Breda Jacob, Lucy Bolger, Helen McCallion, Betty Rossiter and Marie Porritt from the Qulart Guild.

Breda Whelan, Maggie Morrissey and Peggy from Camross ICA Guild.

Betty Doyle, Liz Murphy, Josie O’Neill, Trish Doyle, Anne Dwyer and Phil O’Neill from Enniscorthy ICA Guild Marie Cullen, Lorrie Butler and Peggy Handrick from Ballyann New Ross ICA Guild.

Former presidents and current presidents. Dee Devereux, Margot Hennessy (Regional President), Mary D’Arcy (Wexford Federation President), Breda Banville and Deirdre Connery.

Mary Geoghegan, Margaret Murphy, Josie Browne and Rita Murphy from Castleridge ICA Guild.

Breda Meagher, Geraldine O’Donoghue, Liz Beale, Anne Walsh and May Rowe from Wexford Town Guild.

Josie Stafford, Maggie Creane and Mary Murphy from Davidstown ICA Guild.

Marian Whelan, Mary McCarthy and Catherine Doyle from Ballyfad ICA Guild.

Phyllis Hall, Peggy Stamp and Eileen Creevey from Kilmore Quay Guild.

Anne Doran and Catherine Roben from Boolavogue ICA Guild.