Meath ICA president to head up national centenary celebrations

The Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) federation president in Meath, Mary Harrahill from Dunsany, is chairperson of the ICA National Centenary Committee which will be co-ordinating the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the organisation across the country this year. A member of Horace Plunkett Guild in Dunsany for a number of years, and a former guild president, Mrs Harrahill is currently in her third and final year as Meath Federation president, the first Horace Plunkett member to hold that office. Early last year, she was elected as a member of the national executive board of the ICA. Then, at the recent national conference in An Grianán, Termonfeckin, she was elected national vice-president for Leinster. Mrs Harrahill, a native of Firies, Co Kerry, has been living in Dunsany since 1988. She works as a manager with An Post in Dublin and is married to Dunsany GFC chairperson, Richard Harrahill. The ICA was set up as the United Irishwomen by Anita Lett in Bree, Co Wexford. Early patrons included Horace Plunkett and Ellsie Pilkington. The association saw as its mission the reform of Irish society through the improved home lives of its rural people. It became the Irish Countrywomen's Association in 1935, affiliated to the International Countrywomen. Its second national president was Daisy Fingall, wife of the 11th Lord Fingall of Killeen Castle, who held the post for 20 years, while Drumree's Camilla Hannon and Kilmessan's Kitty Harlin have also been national presidents. Meanwhile, the Horace Plunkett ICA guild, Dunsany, is tonight (Wednesday 6th January) launching its ICA centenary year celebrations to coincide with 'Nollaig na mBan' with a dinner and social evening at Killeen Castle, the former home of the Plunketts. At its recent meeting, the very successful senior citizens' party for the elderly of Kilmessan and Dunsany, which took place in the Station House Hotel, was reviewed. A vote of thanks was recorded to all who generously donated funds and prizes, and the management and staff of the hotel received special thanks. Sympathy was extended to Ann Nugent, Mary Thynne and the Keena family who suffered bereavements recently. The next meeting is in Dunsany Hall on Wednesday 13th January at 8pm. Athboy ICA guild is currently working on a history of its local organisation as it marks both the national centenary and its own 50th anniversary. Work has already begun on the collection of material and memories as past and present members gather reminiscences and photographs. Anybody who was involved with the guild over the half century, and who may have photos, memorabilia or stories, is asked to contact Mary Jo Needham on (087) 296 2320 or email maryjoneedham@gaelic.ie by the end of January.