Tag Archives: ICA

BUTTERFLIES have been hand-crafted by ICA members across Clare in solidarity with women globally who are victims of violence. Over the past few weeks, 19 guilds around the county have skilfully crafted 350 butterflies in materials like wool, fabric, paper and card. Last weekend, these were painstakingly put together by crafter Caroline Quinn to create a single colourful display. The image of the butterfly was chosen, according to Mary Moloney of PRO of Clare ICA Federation, to tie in with the aims of the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marked on Wednesday last, November 25. The annual event started in 1999 to remember Maria, Theresa and Minerva Mirabal from the Dominican Republic who were assassinated for opposing the brutality of their country’s dictator.

NURSING homes across Clare to from benefit from a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), secured after a fundraising drive coordinated by the Midwest Hospital Campaign. The initiative was prompted by concern at the start of the pandemic about the difficulty in accessing supplies of PPE, particularly for nursing homes and other congregated settings. “The donation will be especially important now that visiting has begun once again at nursing homes and there’s even more demand for PPE,” said Noeleen Moran, one of the coordinators. Some of the PPE was sourced through a network of contacts for manufacturers in Poland, while more was handmade by hundreds of individual volunteers and groups across Clare, including the Irish Countrywomen’s’ Association (ICA). Hilary Tonge of the Midwest Hospital Campaign said the effort to secure PPE had involved many groups and individuals from across the county. “When the pandemic was declared, there was a huge fear that there would not be enough PPE,” she said. …

THE Clare Older People’s Council are looking to find the County’s Older Person of the Year. This person will be aged 55 or over and will be up to their neck in voluntary work for their community. Evelyn Henry of the council outlined what’s required, “It must be someone aged over 55, they must reside in Clare and we’re looking for someone who does a lot of voluntary work for their communities. We’re looking for nominations from community organisations; that can be a scout group, an active retirement group, the ICA, a community council, whatever. We’re looking for the sort of person who is always there to lend a hand, whether it’s picking up rubbish, washing up cups, whatever’s required.” Chairperson of the council, Stella O’Gorman added, “This is to recognise that older people have a very valuable contribution to make and should be rewarded for it.” Regarding the council’s role, she said, “We represent the views of older people …

CLOONEY-Quin guild of the ICA is inviting the local community to their night of drama at Quin Community Hall on Friday next. Now in its 34th year, the guild will present On the Couch, which is a new departure for the group, as they expand their annual drama night. The production now involves a split stage, which will facilitate the staging of two one-act comedies, an interview segment, music, song and storytelling. The two plays are the work of local woman, Anita O’Loughlin, who has been writing short comedies for Clooney-Quin ICA, and Spancilhill Drama Group for many years. “Both are short comedy acts. The first one, The Time of The Month, is about winter and specifically the three months in winter, November, December and January, and there is a sketch about each month, which are extremely comical. It starts with the holy souls in November, then it goes to the office Christmas party of Love Bites Limited and then …