Ailish thrilled she chose to don the hat of Feakle ICA president

A milliner, who has just had three headpieces modelled on TV3’s Exposé, is president of Feakle ICA Guild in Co Clare.

Ailish McElroy’s creations will complement outfits at a Vintage Ireland event in Dun Laoghaire on April 26.

On TV3, the mum of two young children, who has been Feakle president since last September, showcased a red wool felt pillbox hat, an orange beret embellished with orange orchids and brown Russian veiling and a wide-brimmed black and white headpiece embellished with black rose and black feathers.

But Ailish’s ICA colleagues — Feakle has 14 members — were equally glad to see her creations at this month’s guild meeting. Some requested she make them bespoke pieces.

“One member’s expecting a baby. She’s going to a wedding in late April in maternity wear — she wanted a headpiece to wear with it. Another lady has a duck-egg blue and gold suit with gold accessories. She wants a headpiece to match.”

Originally from Dublin and formerly a graphic designer for 15 years, Ailish moved to Co Clare — to the rural parish of Bodyke — six years ago.

“I married a Clare man. We decided to move here to start a family,” says the mum of two girls, aged five and three.

“I found it a big adjustment. We started a family soon after and that’s such a daunting time. When you have a toddler and a baby your social life is drastically curtailed. I was living in a new area where I didn’t know many people.”

A mum at the parent/toddler group mentioned ICA. “I didn’t know anything much about ICA except what you see in the boot-camp programme. I knew ICA wasn’t that either — that was an extreme portrayal of what they represent. I just went along and found women of all ages and backgrounds looking for opportunities to get together, support each other and organise events in the community.”

As guild president, she says Feakle ICA isn’t hung up on hierarchy. “We’re very much a team of people with a similar outlook about what we want. Now and again, I might have to guide a meeting.”

Craft is big in Feakle; the guild has had great success in the craft board competition in recent years, winning it on successive occasions.

The guild ran a series of felting workshops recently. They also visited Tuamgraney chocolate factory and learned to make chocolate. Feakle ICA meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 8pm. New members are welcome.