Fifty years have passed since the birth of the Irish
Countrywomen's Association in Castlebar and it is fitting that we
should look back and remember those early members whose vision and
courage, determination and faith led them to lay the foundation of
our great organisation.
A notice appeared in the Connaught Telegraph of October 28th 1950
that a meeting, with a view to setting up a Guild of the I.C.A.
would be held on the 1st November.
One hundred and six members were enrolled with the late Joan
O'Malley elected as first President, Kay Duffy Vice-President,
Margaret McGuinness Sec. and Mrs. M. Greene as Treasured. In
attendance was Miss Phyllis o'Connell, National Organiser who
addressed those present at great length and out lined the
objective's of the Association. The meeting was held in the Green
Bay Cafe.
The aims and objective,s of the Association are to bring women
together in fellowship and through co-operative effort, to develop
and improve the standard of rural and urban life in Ireland by
educating women, having due regard to our Irish culture and to
encourage the use of the Irish language in the affairs of Bantracht
na Tuaithe.
The I.C.A. has played a major role in Irish society since its
foundation. It brought a sense of direction and purpose to every
community in which a Guild was established over the years.
The Association has had an enriching influence on communities the
length and breadth of this country. It is still by far the largest
organisation for women in Ireland with a membership of over
20,000.
There are few people on this island of ours without a rural
connection and a rural affinity, be they city or town dwellers. The
I.C.A. epitomises the interface between all things urban and rural.
This has been personified by past Presidents from outside the
farming community and the Associations involvement in issues
relevant to rural and urban women alike.
An Grianan, the Irish Countrywomens Association Adult Education
College in Co. Louth was purchased by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of
America and entrusted to the I.C.A. in 1954 for the health,
education and welfare of the people of Ireland
It is a happy thought that An Grianan belongs in a very real way
to each member of the Irish Countrywomens Association as it is by
our contributions that expenses are met. We in turn get the benefit
and inspiration from the many varied activities for to name but a
few, a member can choose to attend a course in Literature, Art or
Drama, attend a session in the Demonstration Kitchen, the Craft
Rooms, Weaving Shed or the Pottery Room.
For five decades now the I.C.A. has been an integral part of the
community life in and around Castlebar. It is still a great social
outlet for women for its monthly business meetings, social events
and its weekly worknights. At our worknights we learn from each
other as skills are passed on and demonstrations are given by
experts.
Although the I.C.A. is non-party political and non-sectarian, it
has sometimes acted as a pressure group when it felt the cause was
relevant to its members. We initiated and supported many things
which are now taken for granted:-
-Rural Electrification and
Water Scheme
-The Ban Garda
-The Credit Union Movement
At
Guild level all these issues had to be voted on.
The Guild is deeply involved in community affairs and features
strongly in fundraising for charitable organisations. We have
represented the Federation at competitive level on numerous
occasions. Members have taken part in the National Finals of golf,
pitch and putt, table quizzes, creative writing and various cookery
competitions. We are represented on the V.E.C., Social Services and
C.R.C.
We salute Castlebar I.C.A. Guild on reaching their Golden
Anniversary. The Guild is still in great shape, a credit to the
ladies who put faith in the Association all those years age, to
those who served the Guild so diligently over the decades and to
those who guide the Association today. Membership is open to women
over the age of sixteen and new members are always welcome.
To coincide with this special occasion, a number of
celebratory events are taking place in the town throughout the week,
and past members, friends and well-wishers are invited to celebrate
with us.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Johnny Mee and Ivor
Hamrock for their assistance and co-operation during
research.
Sheila Baynes
Guild
Member
