The Society of the United Irishwomen was founded in 1910 and its name was later changed to the Irish Countrywomen’s Association. It is a non-political, non-sectarian organisation that brings together rural and urban women and their communities in fellowship and through cooperative effort. It offers support, friendship, personal development and life-long learning. Its members are to the forefront in improving the quality of life in Irish women. Together, they make up a very impressive association.
Mrs Mary Hogan of Rosshill House in Roscam was already a member of Castlegar ICA when she decided it would be a lot more convenient if there was a guild set up locally in the expanding new suburb of Renmore, and so she organised a meeting in her house attended by herself, Cathy Moran, Ann Colleran and May Corcoran. They arranged for the first formal meeting of the Renmore Guild of the ICA to be held in the School Hall on April 1, 1976. A large crowd attended and a committee was formed.
The first president was Mrs H Gaughan, Mrs T Higgins was elected secretary, Mrs A Colleran treasurer and Mrs C Moran became PRO. On the committee were Mrs J Cawley, Mrs A White, Mrs K Conroy, Mrs J Davis, Mrs K Sandys, Mrs B Hosty and Mrs P Cuffe. When these were elected, Mrs Rita Molloy gave a most interesting and very enjoyable demonstration of fresh and dried flower arranging. The Renmore guild was up and running.
At their first craft night, Margaret Molloy and Patricia Hehir helped the members to mark out the pattern for making velvet cushions, the start of countless craft nights over the years. They began to organise set dancing, make and model competitions, entered drama festivals, art competitions, they organised a tree-planting ceremony in the church grounds, got involved in debating and impromptu speaking competitions, and crafts demonstrations included Irish crochet, macrame, quilting, lampshade making and patchwork. They were involved in a joint project with Renmore Youth Club when they cleaned and tidied up Roscam Graveyard. They visited the Dáil, the European Parliament and Áras an Uachtaráin. They entered pitch and putt competitions and went on day trips to the Aran Islands.
Our first photograph (above ) shows some of the members of the newly formed ICA in Renmore. They are, back row, left to right: Esther Feeney; Tess Hosty; Margaret Noone; Margaret Molloy; Patricia Ryan; Mary Garvey; Peg Molloy; Annette Connolly. In front are Mary Gaughan; Fr Jack O’Connor, Parish Priest; Rosemary Kent; Patricia Hehir; and Chrissie Sammon.
Our second image is of some past presidents taken in 1997. They are, back row: Bridie O’Connell; Tess Hosty; Mary Hogan; Patricia Ryan. In front are Anne Shaughnessy, Helen Gaughan and Kathleen Buckley.
Our final group is of the Renmore Guild players who were the overall winners of the ICA Drama Competition with their production of Funeral Dance in October 1982. They are, seated: Mrs Margaret Molloy, President, Renmore ICA; Mrs Ettie Godsman; Mrs Sabina Higgins and Mrs Frances Watts. Standing are: Dympna Summerville; Rosemary Kent; Kitty Wheatley; Maureen Keaveney; and Nora Darcy.
Renmore ICA have made an extraordinary impact on the quality of life in the area, they have not forgotten their beginnings and to mark their notable 50th anniversary, the guild will celebrate with a special dinner and celebration evening in Flannery’s Hotel on Tuesday next, April 14, beginning with a prosecco reception at 7pm with speeches and music to follow. Tickets are €40 per person and I am confident a good night will be had by all. Further information or tickets can be had by emailing [email protected].
Go maire sibh an chéad!
