Busy menu of activities in Ballymartle ICA
The year kicked off in September with their annual Mass and they began a seven-week keep-fit class — so successful they scheduled another for February.
In October, they hosted the Cork final of the national ICA table quiz, with four of their own members emerging winners.
Ballymartle Guild enjoys good attendance at monthly meetings.
PRO Anne McCarthy says this is because they’re good fun.
“It’s partly due to the many collectible items brought to meetings for which points are allocated. We had tea towels, necklaces, old coins (one dating back to 1807), scarves and fridge magnets.”
Adding to interest are guest speakers who attend monthly — this year, they had a butcher, beautician, hairdresser, and nutritional therapist.
The October meeting featured a display of over 100 knitted garments for newborns in Africa.
December saw the annual dinner/dance in Innishannon House Hotel, as well as a successful flower demo by Breda Keohane — more than 70 attended.
Anne says the year’s highlight came in March when 17 guild members performed in a variety concert in Riverstick Community Centre.
Their performance was set around Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Cork. There were prizes for the guild at Cork Federation Day in April, with their AGM also held that month, as well as a walk in aid of Pieta House.
“We visited Glenview Gardens in West Cork in early May and our annual outing was to Lismore Gardens, Barron’s Bakery, Mount Melleray and on to the Vee.”
