- NEWS -
Congratulations
Congratulations to Liz Robinson, Ashford Guild who took first Prize in the national Creative Writing Contest.
We are very proud also that a total of 4 Wicklow writers made the final 6 which may be a first for any Federation. Well done to the other finalists Noilín Dempsey, Ger Clifford and Susanna Braswell. Huge thanks also to Margaret Smyth who represented us in the Final of the Gem Pack Baking, Cherry Sleeman who was a finalist in Solo Singing and the Ashford Table Quiz Team who represented us in the National Finals - Brigid Cahill, Anne Newton and Margaret Stephens.
Wicklow Federation 70th Anniversary
Wicklow Federation was founded in October 1951, making it 70 years old this year.
The Guilds in Wicklow Federation (Ashford, Aughrim, Avoca, Ballycoog, Bray, Delgany, Donard, Hollywood, Kiltegan, Moneystown, Newtownmountkennedy, Roundwood, Tinahely and Wicklow Town) span a diverse range of locations from coastal communities in the east to the highest village in Ireland, Roundwood, and the valleys and uplands of central and west Wicklow. Delgany Guild turned 80 last year, pre-dating the founding of the Federation, and the youngest Guild, Wicklow Town, will be a sturdy 8 years strong in 2022.
From the outset drama has been important in Wicklow Federation. The first ICA One Act Drama Festival run by the Federation took place in 1953. It is now one of the longest running drama festivals in the country and open to both ICA and community drama groups. The 65th Drama Festival was held in January 2020 and it took a national lockdown in a global pandemic to bring about a year without the Festival! We are looking forward to holding our 66th Drama Festival in 2022.
Wicklow Federation has contributed two ICA National Presidents, Liz Wall in 2012 and current National President Hilda Roche.
The Federation will celebrate its 70 years on Sunday March 6th in Lynhams of Laragh, right in the heart of the county. We will be joined by our National President, our Regional President (SE), Mary D’Arcy, and at least 10 Past Presidents of Wicklow Federation for what should be a very special and happy occasion. There will be a display of Lockdown Projects which will see our members invited to bring something they worked on in Lockdown. This might be arts or crafts, or photographs of non-portable items such as gardens! It will be a lovely showcase of the creativity, individuality and enterprise of the VIP guests, our members.
New National President Hilda
Outgoing Federation President Hilda Roche will become ICA National President at the National AGM on Saturday May 29th. Congratulations Hilda.
Wicklow Federation is very proud of you and wishes you a wonderful term of office.
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National Contest Winners
Lovely to see National Competition winners from Wicklow Federation
Noilín Dempsey (Bray Guild) took 3rd Place in the Creative Writing Competition
Mary Finlay (Wicklow Town Guild) took 1st Place in Colour Photography and is Overall Winner of the Interferation Cup for Art (Photography)
Susanna Braswell (Wicklow Town Guild) took 2nd Place in Colour Photography.
Butterfly on Flower by Mary Finlay (Wicklow Town Guild) and Puffin by Susanna Braswell (Wicklow Town Guild)
Federation 70th Anniversary Book
Wicklow Federation is approaching a milestone 70th Anniversary in October 2021.
Hilda had begun to collect some recipes from Guild members for a book to mark the occasion, but we are still in need of many more. I would especially love to see Guilds to contribute photographs and memories as well.
Guild members have so many different talents. Here are some things which Guilds might contribute –
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Recipes
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Poems
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Anecdotes
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Arts and Crafts Instructions or Tips
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Gardening Tips
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Household Tips
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Green Living / Environmental Tips
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Photographs – We would particularly love to have some photographs from across the years in each of our wonderful Guilds
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International Women's Day 2021
and
Seachtain na Gaeilge Zoom
Wicklow Federation Zoom Christmas Party
The first ever ICA Wicklow Federation Zoom Christmas Party took place on 12th December with 14 of Wicklow's Guilds represented. The Byrne family from Bray provided live music to open and close the party which really added a festive touch. There were a host of party pieces including poems, stories, points to ponder, singing and sketches as well as some festive animation and a reading of the Nativity. It would not have been an ICA party without a raffle and there were fun competitions for "Wonkiest Carrot for Rudolph" and "Best Christmas Earrings". The ICA spirit of fun and friendship was evident and it was so nice to see all the smiling faces across the virtual miles!
Sew Scrubs Appeal
Thanks to the many members who have volunteered across Wicklow for our National President's Sew Scrubs Appeal. Pictured below is the first batch of finished scrubs delivered to a County Wicklow Nursing Home. Well done ladies!
Congratulations
Congratulations to Tina Kavanagh Bray Guild
who won the Inter Federation Cup for Art (Photography)
winning 1st and 2nd Prize in the Black & White Section.
Congratulations also to Susanna Braswell
Wicklow Town Guild who won in the Colour Section.
Very well done ladies.
'Boy Looking at Street Sculpture' by Tina Kavanagh, Bray Guild - 1st Place (B&W) AND Overall Winner. 'Girl Walking Past Street Art' by Tina Kavanagh, Bray Guild -2nd Place (B&W). 'Poulnabrone Dolmen' by Susanna Braswell, Wicklow Town Guild - 2nd Place (Colour)
Cleas Act TG4 26/04/20
An Grianán featured on TG4 on Sunday 26th April. Great to see
Margaret Condon, Carmel Simmons, Stephanie Mc Donald - Ashford Guild, Terry O'Carolan - Wicklow Town Guild, Maureen Quigley - Donard Guild, Rose from Cork Federation, Niamh, Janice, Mary and Tina from An Grianán and of course Hilda Roche our Federation President with all of the ladies doing ICA proud.
- International Womens Day & Seachtain na Gaeilge 08/03/20 -
We had a wonderful afternoon of music, dancing, Tráth na gCeist and lashings of delicious tea and cake to celebrate International Women's Day and Secahtain na Gaeilge.
Our international speakers took us as far away as Tamil Nadu Province in India, while Tinahely Guild provided a surprise entertainment with a traditional Irish drinking song!!
