If you are looking for a change in your social life or a new local venue in which to pursue on-going learning and meet new and diverse people then, ladies, the new guild of the ICA (Irish Countrywomen’s Association) in Ballsbridge offers you just such an opportunity.

Marie O’Toole, Secretary of the Dublin Federation of the ICA met with me recently and spoke with enthusiasm of her years as a member. She outlined the wide diversity of pursuits available: drama, poetry, choir groups, creative writing, pitch and putt, bowling, baking competitions, charitable fund raisers and more. Marie wryly adds: “Join the ICA and you’re never at home!”

The ICA was first established in 1910 in Bruff, Co. Limerick, with a view to improving women’s lives by helping them to generate income from their crafts and skills. The idea quickly spread and became a countrywide endeavour, growing to a present membership of 20,000 women in 1,000 guilds throughout Ireland with 2,500 of those members in the 45 Dublin Guilds.

Marie comments, “Nowadays our criteria is different and members are attracted to the association because we meet in a spirit of friendship, are non-sectarian, uphold no religious barriers and are non political.”

Though non-political the Association claims to be an agency for radical change, which constantly challenges to ensure that women are equal partners with men in creating a healthy society.

Today, it is an organisation involving women of every age and from every walk of life, where women work together to develop their skills and at the same time where they can gather and voice their experience and knowledge to influence the wider agenda and policy-making.
Marie smiles as she reflects on her own times with the ICA and the fun she has had along with the wonderful lifelong friends she has made.

There was a great show of interest last October at the stand they took in the ‘Over 50’s Show’ at the RDS. When Pauline Geoghegan, the Recruitment Officer, processed the two hundred forms filled in by women who showed an interest in joining the Association, she found that 35 of these lived in the vicinity of Dublin 4. It was consequently decided to re-establish the Ballsbridge guild, which had disbanded some twenty years ago.

This guild was officially opened on 10th April last at 58 Merrion Road (opposite the RDS) which is also the headquarters of the ICA. Monica Murphy is the Secretary of the Ballsbridge Guild and says that there are now 25 members and room for more. A talk on musical appreciation is planned in the near future and decisions on activity pursuits is made by popular demand from a wide range of subjects: calligraphy, local history, gardening, visits to places of interest, art and many more.

Meetings will be held on the first and third Monday in every month at 8 pm. Monica sees it as a great opportunity for people in the area to meet, have a chat and get to know one another.
Further information can be obtained from 01 6680453 and from www.ica.ie