Borris-in-Ossory ICA guild celebrates 65 years of activities in Laois
History and activities of flourishing south Laois community group
Borris-in-Ossory ICA Guild celebrated its 65th Anniversary on Sunday, May 24, with a lunch in the Templemore Arms Hotel.
Special guests were Rev. Fr Jackie Robinson PP, Federation President Deirdre Dunne and Sr. Regina Delaney. The celebration cake to mark the occasion was cut by Guild President Mary Sheeran and the two longest-serving members of the guild, Noreen Whelan and Stella Kealy.
Noreen is a founder member who joined the guild at the first meeting in 1961 and has remained a loyal member for all of the 65 years.
President Mary presented flowers to Noreen in recognition of this great achievement.
Before lunch started, Noreen lit a memorial candle in honour of all the deceased members of the guild. Laois Federation President Deirdre Dunne congratulated the guild on this great milestone and wished the members all the best for the future.
Fr. Jackie Robinson added his good wishes and thanked the guild for all their good work in the parish.
Guild History
Borris in Ossory ICA Guild was founded in March 1961. The ICA in Borris in Ossory was the brainchild of two founder members of the guild - Lily Sheeran and Maura Flanagan (nee Kealy).
In 1960 both of them were members of the Castletown guild, and they decided to start a guild in Borris in Ossory. Records show that the first meeting, on March 22nd 1961, which took place in the old Cinema or Thompson’s Hall as it was also known, was attended by almost sixty women.
The meeting was addressed by Miss K. Donnelly, ICA Organiser from Wexford and Mrs Margaret Duffy from Rathdowney who was Laois Federation President at the time, both of whom outlined the history and the aims of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association.
The first offices elected were President – Lily Sheeran, Vice-President – Terry Cosgrave, Secretary – Maura Kealy, Treasurer –Marie Geoghegan, Press Reporter – Nuala Costello. Committee members – Teresa Lalor, Kitty Foyle, Miss Farrell, Mrs Cavanagh, Mrs McEvoy, Miss O’Brien and Miss O’Donnell.
There were 56 members that first year, and we are delighted to report that one founder member who was present on that first night is still a member 65 years later.
Noreen Whelan joined the guild along with her mother when she was only a teenager and is still an active and loyal member of the guild today. Two other founder members are still alive, Teresa Lalor and Maura Flanagan (nee Kealy).
The yearly membership fee was five shillings, and each member was requested to bring their own cup, saucer and spoon. Meetings were held in various venues in the village, including Thompson’s Hall, the Courthouse, the Tennis Pavilion and Mount Prospect Hotel.
Permanent Home
When the Boys School closed in 1969, the ICA guild decided to ask the Parish Priest at the time, Very Rev. Fr. Con Campion, for permission to use the school, and it has been the home of the guild ever since. In recent years, it has been renovated, a kitchen added and is now known as St. Canice’s Hall and is also used by the Social Services and is available for use by other organisations in the parish.
The guild has taken part in many competitions down through the years with considerable success. Borris in Ossory ICA won the AIB Guild of the Year on four occasions when it was held in the 1990s.
They also won competitions in drama, cookery, set dancing, Make and Model, flower arranging, and have won the Federation Final of the Table Quiz competition on at least seven occasions.
Guild Activities
Members have undertaken many activities, including dressmaking, keep fit, first aid, set dancing, painting and sketching, assertiveness, line dancing, cookery, crochet, pilates and many more in between.
Members also go to the ICA Adult Education College at An Grianan, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth. The guild was represented on the Laois Federation Choir which has been in existence now for over 20 years.
The choir had the honour of singing at the ICA Centenary celebrations in Dublin Castle in 2010, which was attended by President Mary McAleese.
One member of the guild Lily Sheeran served as Laois Federation President from 1986 to 1989. Lily presented a new sewing machine and overlocker to An Grianan in 2013 and also planted a tree which is maturing nicely on the lawn outside the house in Termonfeckin, Co Louth. Members of the Borris in Ossory Guild have also served on the Federation committee in the roles of Treasurer, Contests Secretary and PRO.
Guild Trips
For many years, the guild organised an annual holiday for members and their friends. They have been to all parts of Ireland, North and South, also Cardiff in Wales and Devon and Cornwall. Members have also travelled on the Laois Federation trips to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Jersey, Tunisia as well as several trips in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
The guild is noted for its charitable work and has undertaken many fundraising ventures down through the years, giving financial assistance to many deserving causes. For many years, the ICA was responsible for the Annual Senior Citizens Party in the parish. That function is now organised by the local Social Services Committee.
READ NEXT: Honour for Laois ‘legend’ Mother Columba who got jobs for generations of Portlaoise women
Unfortunately, like every other aspect of everyday life, Borris in Ossory ICA Guild members were unable to meet physically during Covid 19 restrictions. Covid had a devastating effect on ICA Guilds around the country and many of them closed down completely, but thanks to our President at the time, Hazel Luskin, some of the members managed to keep in touch with one another via zoom meetings.
The Guild celebrated its 60th Anniversary during Covid with a very enjoyable Garden Party held on Wednesday afternoon July 7, 2021 when members felt it was safe to meet up outdoors.
The Garden Party took place at Gortnalee House and Gardens, courtesy of Hazel. Members and friends were delighted to meet and catch up for the first time since the pandemic began.
Everyone coming to the Garden Party was asked to bring along their own cup and plate in line with Covid precautions but also as a nod to the first members who did just that back in 1961 when the guild was founded!
Guild in 2026
Today it is still a very active guild with 18 members. Each November the members fill shoe boxes for the Team Hope Christmas Shoe box Appeal which provides Christmas gifts to needy children abroad who might not otherwise receive a visit from Santa Claus.
The guild also contributes to the charity chosen by the Federation each year and to the cancer walk from which the proceeds are divided between Laois Hospice Foundation and the Cuisle Centre.
Borris in Ossory ICA Guild holds a monthly meeting on the first Wednesday of each month in St Canice’s Hall.
We aim to have a guest speaker or demonstration at every meeting – recent guests have included Garda Graham Kavanagh, Laois/Offaly Crime Prevention Officer, Claire Scott from Breast Cancer Ireland, Carmel Minogue, Holistic Therapist and Life Coach, Edwina Cuddy with her handmade crafts, Sheelagh Coyle who gave us tips on Creative writing and Rathdowney Fire Brigade with advice on fire prevention.
They actually visited all our homes the following week to update or replace our smoke alarms.
Ours is a very happy guild, always willing to welcome new members and many women, especially those new to the area, have found friendship and companionship through joining the ICA.