ICA (Irish Countrywomen’s Association) was founded as the women’s side of the co-operative movement and with the aim of promoting educational, emotional and recreation needs of women in Ireland.
The Association was then known as the United Irishwomen’s and although our name changed to Bantracht na Tuáithe (The Irish Countrywomen’s Association) our aims remain the same – to bring women together in fellowship and through co-operative effort.
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The monthly meeting of the Guilds is the cornerstone of our Association. Guild activities include talks on arts and crafts, personal development, national development, image consultancy, gardening, health, travel, literature, social problems, interior design, child care, First Aid and, of course, cookery and handcraft demonstrations. In fact, members can come together to organise any activity they wish. They may go on to study further in their chosen subject. Study groups may be formed to examine social problems. Our Guild meetings are held the first Thursday of every month in the Parish Rooms in Stamullen, Co Meath.
Educational forums are an annual event and exchange visits between Guilds in other countries are an exciting event.
We hope you will find pleasure and happiness in our Guild, an outlet for your particular talents and an incentive to go on trying new things. We can help you in all your undertakings.
An Grianán, both our Central Office and our residential college at Termonfeckin, Co Louth, was given to the Association by W K Kellogs Foundation of America for educational and recreational purposes to promote the health, education and welfare of the people of Ireland. Courses of instruction and conferences are held there all the year round covering a wide range of subjects. A programme of the year’s activities can be obtained from the Secretary in our Central Office, An Grianán, contact no: 041 9822119. In our Guild, we have a special An Grianán representative, An Teachera, who is always willing to give you information on the college. The door of our College is open to members and non-members alike. Indeed, men also attend!
An Realt is the Association’s quarterly publication distributed through each Guild. It contains Association news and information, news of An An Grianán, list of courses, reports of Guilds and group activities and articles of interest to all members. Reading this newsletter will keep you right up to date on ICA affairs. Copies can be obtained by contacting An Grianán on 041 9822119. |
