AGM celebrates year of wondrous achievements

Five new guilds already signed up, four more in the pipeline, a best-selling book, 40 sewing machines collected and sent to Africa, €30,000 presented to National Breast Cancer Research Institute — just some achievements of ICA in 2012-13 and highlighted at their recent AGM.

Held in Portlaoise in late May, the event drew 300 delegates and Laois Federation naturally had a high profile.

Its president Betty Gorman opened the meeting, while Anna May McHugh of the National Ploughing Association and a member of ICA gave the opening address — she was presented with hand-made pottery.