Irish Countrywomen’s Association group forms strong friendships

THE Kilnamanagh Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) recently celebrated their 30th anniversary with a party in St Kevin’s Family Resource Centre.

A group of 40 past and present members of the Kilnamanagh ICA gathered for the event last month, where they reflected on the group’s impact on the community.

The first meeting of the Kilnamanagh guild took place in the community centre in June 1993, and since then it has grown and gained a strong footing in the community.

Kathleen Dever, who has been a member of the Kilnamanagh ICA from the day it was founded, told The Echo: “It’s a community-led outlet for women to meet for friendship and get-togethers.”

A key component of the ICA’s activities includes developing new skills, such as arts and crafts, flower arranging and jewellery making, which have been taught in the Kilnamanagh guild over the years.

The group also enjoys trips together throughout the year, to complement their fortnightly meetings which will resume in the resource centre on September 14 at 7.30pm and are open to new members.

Commenting on the party marking the 30th anniversary last month, Ms Dever said: “We invited former members, and members of the two other local guilds in Tallaght and Bohernabreena.

“It was a milestone for us, and we celebrated our 10th, 20th and 25th before so we decided to do something a bit bigger for our 30th.”

A raffle was held on the night, followed by live entertainment and the presentation of a cake marking the anniversary.

When asked what the Kilnamanagh ICA’s hopes are for the next 30 years, Ms Dever said: “We hope to keep going into the future and to get some new members.”

Ms Dever added that she wanted to thank Lesley and Alan from St Kevin’s Family Resource Centre for their support, and also Angela Byrne, Joan Canning and the current president of Kilnamanagh ICA, Mary Conlon.

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