 | | Latest News | | | | Garden Party hosted by President Mary McAleese 2010 | | | | | | Tree Planting Ceremony in An Grianan to celbrate ICA'S Centenary
| | | | The Gormanton Guild of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) planted a Horse Chestnut tree on 15th of June 2010 in the grounds of An Grianan, the continuous Learning Centre of the ICA in Termonfeckin, Co Louth. The tree was planted on the right hand side of the avenue as you drive up to the house. It was a very special and historic day for the Guild as we are the only guild to have planted a tree on the grounds to celebrate the Centenary year, 1910 to 2010. It will be something for future generations to view and enjoy.
The tree planting was overseen by Anne Flanagan, Manager of An Grianan and Fintan Lynch, the Head Gardener. Our President, Anne Muldowney, gave a brief history of how the tree was donated to the Guild by a friend of Brigid Fanning, Guild Treasurer, who had grown it from a conquer and that it had taken approx 10 years to grow to it present height of approx. 5ft.
Following the tree planting ceremony, members headed off to the Garden Centre to do some shopping and then adjourned to the House to a beautiful four course meal.
Members then headed off to Oldbridge House, the well known historical site on the banks of the Boyne were we retraced the path taken by the soldiers during the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. We were shown a very interesting audio visual of the event and attended a pageantry showing the weaponary used and the type of horse used by the soldiers in battle.
Afterwards, we all adjourned to the beautiful coffee shop for refreshments.
The Guild had a lovely day out, beautiful weather with a tree planted for future generations to enjoy and a trip to the historical site of the Battle of the Boyne.
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| | | ICA Tree Planting Ceremony in Bree, Co Wexford, the birth of the ICA to celebrate Centenary
| | | | | | | Guild members visit Dáil Eireann | | | | There was much delight among our members on receipt of an invitation from a local TD to visit the Dáil on 28th October, 2009 and an excited thirteen members set out for Dublin by coach from the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston at 10.30 that morning.
On arrival at Dáil Eireann and on entering the building by the right hand side door we could not help but notice a very fine statue of Countess Markievicz who was the first woman to hold office in Dáil Eireann. We proceeded to the visitors gallery where we viewed Dáil proceedings. There was not a full sitting of the Government on the day but a Committee debate on NAMA.
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| The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Lenehan, opened the debate and answered questions from the opposition on the workings of NAMA. We then proceeded on a guided tour of the House.
Our guide, who was provided at the courtesy of Dáil Éireann, brought us to the Main Hall to see an original copy of the Proclamation as read out by Pádraig Pearse on the steps on the GPO at the start of the 1916 Rising. We then proceeded to the Portrait Gallery where we viewed portraits of former Taoiseachs and were given a brief history of the House. We learnt that it was designed in 1745 by a German architect, Richard Cassels, for the Earls of Kildare and Leinster, the Fitzgeralds . At this time, the area was undeveloped and known as the lands of tib and tom (Molesworth fields) ! The 20th Earl, James FitzGerald and 1st Duke of Leinster was warned by his friends against building a townhouse in the country. However he was sufficiently secure in his own standing in the social life of the city to predict that fashionable society would follow his example. He was right. Within twenty years Merrion Square was being developed and buildings surrounded the house. On becoming the first Duke of Leinster in 1716, the House was renamed Leinster House.
The house remained in the family for seventy years until it was acquired by the Royal Dublin Society from whom it was bought by the Irish Government in 1925. It is now the seat of both houses of the Irish government - the Dáil and the Senate. The Chamber of Government is the lower House and the Senate is the upper House.
We then proceeded to the Senate Chamber. As there was no Senate in progress, we were able to go into the Chamber and took the opportunity of sitting on the infamous seats and pretending to be Senators for a little while! Our guide gave us a brief description of the internal architecture and informed us that the ceiling was engraved by an Italian craftsman depicting the famous Wedgewood design. The Wedgewood design is also depicted on the entrance doors to the Senate. There are three doors with the middle door being the door through which the Cathoirleach of Senate enters and exits.
We then went to the front entrance Hall which houses portraits of Éamon DeValera , Countess Markievicz, Pádraig Pearse, Thomas McDonagh, Michael Collins, Cathal Brugha and the current President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.
This portrait is unusual in that the President’s portrait was not normally sent to the Dáil until after their term of office but, in recent years, this has been changed and the portrait of the serving President is now hung in the Dáil Hall and then sent to Áras an Uachtaráin after their term of office is completed.
The portrait of Countess Markievicz is that painted by her husband and donated to the Government. She was the first women to hold office in Dáil Eireann and has the distinction of being the first woman cabinet minister in the world !. She was of English aristocracy and was the daughter of Sir Henry Gore-Booth, theAnglo Irish landlord of Lissadell House. She was very much touched by the then plight of the Irish under British rule and became passionately involved in the Republican movement and fought for the Freedom of the Irish national, later becoming a member of Government after the first Irish Government was formed. She helped the women of Ireland by her shining example and, no doubt our association, which was founded in 1910 aspired to some of her aspirations.
Following this, we adjourned for a relaxing lunch to the Oireachtas restaurant. It was a very memorable trip for us all, which we found both educational and inspiring, and which will be remembered for many years to come.
Interested in organising a similar tour ?
1. If living in the Republic of Ireland please contact a local TD or Senator, with your preferred date and time, the number of people/students and a contact name and number of the person/s who will accompany the tour. The TD/Senator will then make the appointment for you with the Events Desk.
2. If living outside the Republic please contact your Embassy or Honorary Consular Representative who will contact the Events Desk on your behalf to make the necessary appointment.
For further information please contact the Events Desk on 01 618 3781 or email event.desk@oireachtas.ie.
| | | Next Guild meeting of ICA Gormanston
| | | | Thursday, 9th September at 8.00 p.m.
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Looking for something new to do? Why not join our Guild. We always welcome new members.
Our next Guild meeting will be held on Thursday, 9th September at 8.00 p.m. in the Julianstown Parish Rooms. As this is our first meeting after the summer break there will be lots to catch up on! While our September meeting is taking place on the second Thursday of the month, all future meetings will revert to the first Thursday of the month. The Julianstown COI Parish Rooms is our temporary meeting venue while the Stamullen Parish Rooms are being renovated. Non members welcome to join us on the night to see what we are all about.
Interested in joining our Guild? Give Anne a call on 087 7973161 or drop us an e-mail at info@icagormanston.ie or, indeed, just drop by on the night
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| | Next ICA Meath Federation Meeting | | The next Meath Federation meeting will be their AGM which will be held on Monday, 26th April at 8.00 p.m in the Bohermeen Community Centre in Navan, Co. Meath.
All enquiries to our Federation Secretary, Ann Nugent, on 086 1543 100. | | | | ICA participating in the RTE 1 'Ear to the Ground' RTE 1 TV Programme | | | ICA participating in the RTE 1 'Ear to the Ground' programme at 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 16th February. It will consist of a look back and also a look to the future for our wonderful organisation. Don't forget to tune in !
| | ICA National President appears on Morning Ireland Show hosted by Sybil and Martin who discuss 'Who are the women who influenced you' | | | | Our National President, Anne Maria Dennison, appeared on Morning Ireland Show on TV3 on Friday, 13th November in the company of Mary Davis of the Special Olympics and Elaine Prendeville, Editor, Irish Tatler magazine. Missed the show, just click here to view | | | | On accessing the video on the TV3 Website, click on 'play', then click on 'pause'. Leave on 'pause' for approx 4-5 minutes as this will allow the video to upload. Then click on 'play' and you will be able to view the video without any pauses occuring. |
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| | | ICA 2010 Centenary Celebrations
| | | The ICA is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year by hosting the following events:
ICA National Events:
Launch of Centenary Celebrations in St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle on Wednesday, 20th January at 7.00 p.m.
An Post to issue a special centenary stamp on Thursday, 25th March. Definitely a keeper !
Gala Dinner in the Ferrigcarrig Hotel in Wexford on Thursday, 6th May at 8.00 p.m.
All enquiries to An Grianán on 041 9822119 or e-mail admin@an-grianan.ie
Meath ICA Centenary Events:
Dinner Dance and fashion show looking at the changing fashions down through the years in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on Thursday, 15th April at 8.00 p.m.
Exhibitions in local libaries in the county in February and March
Members to take part in the Dublin City Marathon on Monday, 7th June
Ceilí and Irish night in St Mary's Hall, Navan on Friday, 24th September at 8.00 p.m. | | | | An Grianán Gala Summer Garden Party on Friday, 9th July at 3.00 p.m. in Termonfeckin, Co Louth | | | | Why not come and enjoy a wonderful day at our Garden Party on 9th July. There will be lots of good food, wine and music on the day.
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| | | | | | Guild celebrates 60th Anniversary | | | | Guild members being presented with Certificate to commerate their 60th Anniversary at Federation AGM held in the Ashbourne House Hotel. It was a wonderful moment for all present and the Guild in general.
(L-R – Pat, Guild member, Federation President, Mary Harahill, Brigid Fanning, Guild President, Anne Muldowney, Guild Secretary, and Ann Nugent, Federation Secretary.
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| | | | | | | Your organic allotment | | | | July in the vegetable garden
- Top Tasks for July
- Sow or Plant in July
- Jobs for July
It’s the height of summer. Days are long, temperatures are most likely at their highest, and all being well, you’re harvesting something delicious from your plot almost every day. But July is often a dry month too. Watering is crucial. Most crops need a steady, unbroken supply of water. Interruptions cause problems such as flowers falling, fruits failing to form, skins splitting, premature bolting, and diseases such as tomato blossom end rot. Spreading mulches helps conserve moisture from any rain you do get – and will also keep down weeks.
Top Tasks for July
Harvest French and runner beans, courgettes, carrots, beetroot, onions, shallots, new potatoes and summer salads
Pick cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants, gooseberries and blueberries
Sow the last of your beetroot, Florence fennel, French beans and peas for this year
Plant out cabbages, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and kale for the autumn and winter.
Water as often as you can to keep crops growing healthily and to prevent them from bolting.
Feed tomatoes regularly and pinch out side shoots
Thin out apples and pears if it looks like your’re going to have a bumper crop
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| | | SOW OR PLANT IN JULY
VEGETABLE
Seeds to sow | | | Turnips
Beetroot
Peas
Calabrese
Oriental leaves |
| Carrotts
Florence fennel
Kale
Kohi rabi
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| Swiss chard/Spinach beet
Cabbages (spring)
Radishes (winter)
Sprouting broccoli
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| SALAD
Seeds to sow | | | Chicory (sugarloaf and red)
Endive
Lettuces
Radishes
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| Rocket
Salad leaves
Spring onions
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| Brussels sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers
July is the time to sow cabbages for next spring, if you choose the right variety. If space is tight, sow them in a temporary seedbed and transplant them later in the year. Now is your lat change to plant out any Brussels sprouts, winter cabbages and autumn cauliflowers that you’ve been growing from seed.
Broccoli
It’s late for sowing or planting broccoli now, although certain cultivars may still give you an autumn crop.
Endive and chicory
Continue sowing both sugarloaf and radicchio forms of chicory. It’s probably your last chance to sow or plant out endive. |
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| | | | Florence fennel and kohl rabi
Sow a few more fennel seeds this month for a crop in the autumn, before the first hard frosts. And some more kohi rabi too – they should then last you through until Christmas.
Peas and French beans
This is your last chance for sowing or planting out peas and beans. Any later and the pods are unlikely to develop before the onset of frosts.
Leaf vegetables
Continue to sow kale, Swiss chard and Oriental leaves such as mizuna, mibuna, chop suey greens, Chinese broccoli and mustard greens. They are hardy enough to last well into autumn.
Leeks
Finish transplanting or ‘dibbing in’ leeks raised in pots, modules or temporary seedbeds. They should all be in their final growing position this month.
Lettuces and other salad crops
Succession sow more lettuce, Root vegetables rocket, land cress, corn salad and other salad leaves for an ongoing supply in autumn.
Sow your last batch of beetroot now. Late varieties of carrots and turnips can still go in next month. |
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| | | Jobs for July
Weed regularly
Don’t’ ease up on hoeing. Weeds will be growing as vigorously as everything else on your plot. One consolation, however, is that some plants – those that produce lots of foliage such as potatoes, courgettes and squashes – may keep weeds at bay by covering the ground and depriving them of sunlight.
Water to prevent bolting
Certain vegetables have a natural tendency to flower and run to seed as days lengthen and temperatures rise. Lettuces, rocket, spinach, cauliflowers and Florence fennel are particularly prone. Watering regularly can help delay or even prevent bolting.
Mulch to conserve moisture
As soon as possible after rain, spread mulches, such as garden compost, well-rotted manure and even grass cuttings to retain moisture in the soil and keep it damp.
Net against birds
Continue to ensure that peas, brassicas and soft fruit are all securely netted to keep off scavenging birds.
Dry out garlic, onions and shallots
A few days before you harvest them, loosen the soil around the roots. Choose a dry spell of weather, lift the bulbs and lay them on the ground in the sun. The more thoroughly you dry them, the longer they will keep.
Pinch out tops of climbing beans
Climbing beans don’t really know when to stop. Pinch out the growing tips when they reach the top of your canes, or they will quickly become tangled and top heavy.
Spray runner beans
It’s said that spraying flowers with water deters them from falling and encourages the formation of bean pods; regular watering at the base of the plants, may be just as effective.
Pinch out tomato shoots
Nip off the side shoots that appear in the ‘V’ between leaf stems and the main stems of vine tomatoes. And pinch out the growing tip at the top of the plant once four or five trusses have formed.
Feed tomatoes and peppers
Start regularly watering tomatoes and peppers with a liquid feed as soon as you see that the first fruits have formed. Feeding encourages both flowers and fruits.
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| | | | Cover heads of cauliflowers
Protect white heads from turning yellow in the sun by pulling outside leaves over them and tying them in place.
Blanch celery and endives
Earth up trench celery to keep the stems out of the light and place plates over curly endives to blanch the leaves.
Earth up brassicas and potatoes
Pull earth up around the stalks of Brussels sprouts and other brassicas if they seem unsteady and give them a top-dressing of organic liquid feed. Keep an eye on potatoes and if necessary continue to earth them up.
Take cuttings of herbs
Propagate perennial and shrubby herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme by taking semi-ripe softwood or stem cuttings. | | | | Article from ‘Allotment – Month by Month by Alan Buckingham |
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| | | | | | | | Slowfood Group
| | | Slow Food was founded in Italy 1986 by the eminent Italian food critic and journalist Carlo Petrini. The international movement was launched in Paris in 1989.
Slow Food aims are first and foremost to educate people about this wonderful culinary resource in the face of the over-commercialisation and homogenisation of our food.
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