ICA – forging friendships and learning handcrafts

Lifestyle – Judy Murphy meets the ladies of Galway ICA and discovers a modern, vibrant organization

Women of a certain age, who were taught the gentle art of knitting and sewing by not so gentle nuns and still bear the mental scars, might baulk at the idea of engaging with the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, a group synonymous with handcrafts and home-baking.

But that would be a mistake, because while this organisation nurtures all kinds of crafts, it’s also about forging friendships and campaigning on social issues that affect women.

That’s according to Helen Noonan, president of the Labane guild in South Galway, and Josephine Helly, from Gort, who is president of Galway’s ICA Federation.

With almost 30 guilds – including some which were dormant and have been revived – the ICA in Galway is thriving. That was obvious on Saturday, when women from across the city and county gathered in the Menlo Park Hotel for a Craft Day, to learn more about jewellery-making, macramé, greeting-cards and calligraphy. The room was a hive of industry and conversation as women of all ages chatted and worked.

One corner of the venue had been designated for demonstrations. These kicked off with one on sugar-craft followed by butter-making using a modern glass churn, bought online. Meanwhile for those wanting a classy cake, Dubliner Marie O’Toole – a candidate for National President of the ICA – showed members how to make a ‘bouquet’ from hand-made chocolate truffles. And Imelda Byrne of ICA Bootcamp fame gave a hat-making demonstration. There was a real air of industry, but one infused with laughter and fun.

“It’s a modern organisation,” says Helen Noonan, a mother of three from Clarinbridge, of the ICA. “A friend told me about it and it’s the best thing I ever did,” she adds of her decision to join the Labane guild. “You get such a mix of age groups and the younger women can learn so much from older members.”

Helen is now president of Labane’s 35-strong guild, where the youngest member is in her late 20s.

“There are all kinds of different people and it’s great craic as well as being a great confidence-builder. I enjoy going to the night and learning so much. If you are interested in something, you’ll get to do it,” she continues. “And if a person gets stuck while working on a piece of craft, there is always somebody to call on for help.”

The Labane guild engages in sewing, knitting, cooking, embroidery, and has even started a walking club. It is also part of the larger community and when events, such as school fundraisers, are taking place the women are asked to contribute baked goods and teas.

Her 13-year-old daughter is always eager to try out the crafts Helen learns at meetings and her two sons have also expressed interest, which makes her very happy.

Mary Duffy of Galway’s newest guild, Loughrea, agrees that crafts are enjoying a resurgence in Ireland. She visited a school in Kilnadeema recently, and gave demonstrations of crafts, including knitting.

“The boys said afterwards it was better than painting,” she says with a laugh.

And because handcrafts aren’t being taught much at school anymore, the ICA is filling that gap.

Part of the reason the organisation is currently thriving is the growing interest in crafts among young people, according to the women. Young people want to learn and the ICA has a pool of expertise.

“They can be hesitant at first, but once they come through the door, they love it,” says Helen of the women in their 20s and 30s who have become the latest recruits for a fee of about €50 per year.

“As long as the ICA is around, crafts won’t die. We are custodians.”

Crafts and domestic skills aside, the ICA is huge resource in both rural and urban Ireland, remarks Helen, especially in recent years as people were affected by redundancy.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.