President Mary leads ICA centenary celebrations

CELEBRATIONS to mark 100 years of the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) started at City Hall, Kilkenny last night, Tuesday, and will continue for the next 12 months.

 

The 21 guilds of the association in Kilkenny City and County were represented as Mayor Malcolm Noonan hosted a civic reception to mark a century of wonderful community work by the ICA women of Ireland.

 

The  local guilds were led by Mary McGuinness of Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny, now President of Kilkenny City and County, who has spent 34 of the 100 years as an active member of the ICA.

Also present was Breda Raggett, a Kilkenny woman who  has had a huge input into the association over the years and is a former National President of the ICA.

Mary McGuinness, a member of the Crannagh Guild in Kilkenny City, the county's youngest guild at a mere 20 years old, thanked Mayor Noonan for his kindness and good wishes and said it was a privilege to be welcomed to City Hall.

The ICA presented the mayor with Kilkenny Crystal and to mark the centenary the mayor presented Kilkenny ICA with a framed certificate.

Local speakers included Mayor Noonan, Mary McGuinness, Breda Raggett and Councillor Michael O'Brien, chairman  Kilkenny County Council.

Ann Marie Dennison, National President of the ICA and press officer Marie O'Toole also spoke.

National celebrations were launched in Dublin in mid January by President Mary McAleese.

A huge programme of events has been planned for Kilkenny. This includes an Irish night with Comhaltas at The Club House Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny, on March 15.

 

Kilkenny members will also attend a gala dinner in Bree, County Wexford on May 6/7. Included will be an ecumenical service and the national president will plant an oak tree and unveil a plaque at the site where the ICA was founded on January 15, 100 years ago.