Limerick ladies take time to reflect on year of great outings
Limerick Federation shut up shop for the summer with a very positive end-of-year meeting in Caherconlish in late June, .
Over 100 members attended, representing many of the guilds, and they heard that national membership is holding steady, with new guilds opening countrywide. The federation treasurer’s report was circulated and confirmed Limerick ICA kitty is in very good shape. Sports/leisure officer Patricia Cronin reported the Burren Walk was a great success, with some of the group managing to climb the highest peak. “They were rewarded with breath-taking views of the Atlantic and of counties Clare and Galway.”
Meanwhile, arts/crafts officer Carol O’Keeffe was delighted with the number of entries for the Nora O’Connor Craft Cup Competition — a total of 15 entered. “The standard was very high, some really beautiful work was submitted — it’s great to see ICA ladies can still produce such lovely work.”
Soo Ling Howard, a member of Castletroy Guild, won the cup, while Vera Ryan, Oola Guild, came second, with Joan McLoughlin of Cappamore Guild in third place. Helen Lane of Murroe/Boher Guild was highly commended. Federation president Mary Moloney congratulated all winners and entrants.
Contest/produce officer Theresa Storey announced results of the much-awaited Aldi Brown Bread Competition: a total of 16 entered and first place went to Breda Cregan, Castleconnell Guild; second place to Peggy Harding, Oola Guild and third place to Nora Stapleton, also of Oola ICA. Bernie Shanahan, a Doon Guild member, was highly commended. Members wished Breda success in the regional finals, which take place in An Grianán on August 24.
PRO Eilís McNamara thanked guilds for their reports and photos of their activities and outings. She requested guild PROs to include captions with photo and to continue sending reports through the summer.
Timire Mary Canty tested members’ skills with a quiz ‘as gaeilge’. Anne Maria Dennison, Mainister Na Féile Guild, came out on top. International Officer Annette Long was delighted with the number of jumpers knitted by members for newborn African babies and promised to present them to “our African friends” at September’s meeting.
In her summer message to members, Mary Moloney thanked everyone for the wonderful response to the appeal for toiletries for Adapt House, which supports women who may be experiencing domestic abuse. “We filled three car boots and the back of my car was packed tight,” she said, adding that staff at Adapt House were amazed by the volume of goods donated and sent their thanks.
