ICA news: Focus on enhancing mental wellbeing
She’s president of Grenagh Guild, which recently hosted Cork Federation’s spring meeting in Rathduff Hall. So it’s no surprise the guest speaker was Rosemary Carville of AWARE.
Ms Carville emphasised the availability of AWARE for anyone who’s feeling down. She said the organisation has support meetings for those suffering from depression in Mallow and Cork City, that there’s always a volunteer at the other end of the phone and that volunteers also visit schools to give talks.
Cork Federation president Deidre Hickey reiterated the message of support, pointing out that friendship in ICA is very important – and that it’s vital guilds are inclusive and welcoming.
With competitions on the agenda too, there was great interest in the tea cosy contest – it drew a large entry and first prize went to Shelia Fitzgerald of Knockraha Guild. Eileen Broderick, Freemount ICA, achieved second place and Joan Barry of Boherbue came third.
Esther Cahill qualified for the national finals of the Simnel Cake competition, and Fermoy Guild sold their knitted chicks (with cream eggs) for €2 each. This charity raises approximately €5,000 for cancer research annually.
Meanwhile, quiz enthusiasts battled it out in Freemount, with 16 teams in the Cork Federation quiz final. Rita Clohessy of Upper Glanmire Guild was quiz master, federation secretary Pauline O’Callaghan was score-keeper and the winners were Kiskeam in first place, Boherbue second and Ballinora third.
Kiskeam were first prize-winners too at a quiz held in Mayfield GAA hall with Jim Clohessy as quiz master – they represent Cork at the national final at An Grianán. Federation Day, the big event in the ICA calendar, will be held in Clayton Silver Springs Hotel this Sunday, April 3. And Cork Federation AGM is on April 17 in Watergrasshill.
National ICA president Marie O’Toole will address the meeting, which starts at 2.30pm.
