Dunsany guild to mark ICA centenary

Dunsany, which has strong associations with the founding of the Irish Countrywomen's Association, will this evening (Wednesday) mark the centenary of the organisation with a tree-planting and plaque unveiling at Dunsany Crossroads. While the association was founded in Bree, Co Wexford, one of those behind it was the founder of the co-operative group, Sir Horace Plunkett of Dunsany Castle. The local guild is known as the Horace Plunkett ICA guild. It was the death of a child from a milk-borne disease in Canada, and the local reaction to it, that inspired Horace Plunkett. He was impressed by the fortitude exhibited by the child's mother, who rallied neighbouring women to ensure the eradication of the disease. When he returned home, he enlisted the support of his relative Daisy, the Countess of Fingall, of Killeen Castle. She became one of the founder members of the United Irishwomen, and served on its first committee. She became president of the association after the founder and first president, Anita Lett, and was to serve in that position for the next 30 years, from 1912 to 1942. In 1935, the association changed its name to the Irish Countrywomen's Association to avoid confusion with the United Ireland Party during that politically sensitive time. Dunsany ICA Guild is named the Horace Plunkett Guild in honour of the man who was responsible for a rural and agricultural revolution in this country. At the April meeting, the guild's AGM took place, presided over by Jean Keogh. All existing officers are to remain in place for the coming year. David Robinson of Rathbeggan Lakes and garden allotments gave an excellent talk on the benefits of organic growing. A summer outing to Carlingford and the Cooley mountains in Louth in July is much anticipated. Tributes were expressed to Mary Harrahill and Ann Nugent, whose term of office as Meath Federation president and secretary came to an this year. A vote of sympathy was extended to the Cottrell family on the death of David, and to Ann Crocock on the death of her aunt, Molly McCabe, Skryne.