Castledermot ICA celebrates 60th anniversary with tea party
Castledermot president Peg Hayden and Kildare ICA Federation president Mary McNamara cut the guild's 60th birthday cake
THE spirit of community and friendship was alive and well in Castledermot recently when the local ICA guild marked a remarkable milestone ‒ its 60th anniversary.
Members past and present, along with special guests, gathered in Teach Diarmada community centre on Saturday 14 June for an afternoon tea party that celebrated six decades of bringing women together in rural Kildare.
The celebration was made extra special by the presence of two founding members, Mary Jo Fitzpatrick, who went on to become president of Kildare ICA Federation, and Carrie Murphy, the guild’s first treasurer. Their attendance provided a living link to the guild’s beginnings in 1965.
It was “a day to remember”, according to guild PRO Trish Whelan.
Kildare ICA Federation president Mary McNamara served as guest of honour, accompanied by vice-president Mary Smith, and presented the guild with a special 60th anniversary certificate.
Guild secretary Mary Byrne reflected on how joining the ICA proved to be “a godsend for women living in rural Ireland” in 1965, offering them precious time away from daily farm chores and housework to attend meetings, share experiences and forge new friendships beyond their immediate families and neighbourhoods.
The guild’s inaugural meeting took place in the local courthouse on 25 February 1965 with an impressive 77 ladies in attendance ‒ quite a turnout for a time when cars were scarce and women drivers even rarer. Members came from across the area, including Castledermot, Tullow, Ballincarrig, Moone, Palatine, Timolin and Duckett’s Grove.
A look at the first treasurer’s report is a snapshot of a different time: a cylinder of gas cost 17 shillings and five pence; one cwt (hundredweight) of turf cost five shillings and nine pence; the essential tea and sugar came to nine shillings and four pence and 7lbs of accompanying biscuits was entered in at 17 shillings and five pence.
Today, the guild continues its community spirit through various local initiatives, including organising Daffodil Day collections that raised over €5,000 this year for the Irish Cancer Society. Vice-president Ann Glynn, who co-ordinates this effort with help from ICA members and local volunteers, was among those thanked at the anniversary celebrations.
The guild meets monthly at Teach Diarmada on the second Thursday, featuring guest speakers and demonstrations, with each meeting ending in the time-honoured tradition of a cuppa and a chat. New members are always welcome.
As guild president Peg Hayden and Mary McNamara cut the special 60th birthday cake, it is clear that the bonds of friendship and community support that brought those first 77 women together in 1965 remain as strong as ever.
