Dunsany ICA to mark 60 years with book launch this weekend

Dunsany's Horace Plunkett guild of the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) is launching a book this weekend to mark its 60th anniversary. The publication, '60 Years of Friendship and Community' will be launched in Dunsany Hall on Saturday at 3pm, with all invited to a celebration from 2pm to 5pm.

ICA Central Office records the date of formation of the guild as 17th February 1965. This first meeting was held in the loft over Caffrey’s Store in what is now the Credit Union office in Kilmessan. This building also had historic connections with Sir Horace Plunkett’s co-operative movement as the location of one of the earliest societies.

The following officers were elected: President: Hon Mrs Corbally-Stourton, Dunsany; vice president: Lady Dunsany, Dunsany Castle; secretary: Mrs Teresa Gibbons, Ringlestown, Kilmessan; treasurer: Mrs Niall Collier, Dunsany. The committee was made up of Mrs Josie Maguire who became public relations officer (PRO), Mrs J Boyle, Mrs C Gorman, Mrs J Cummins, Mrs O’Brien, Mrs T Mulvany, Mrs T Lynch and Miss M Donnelly. The number of members was 38 and registration fee of 5/- (five shillings).

Monthly meetings were scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month. The second and subsequent meetings were held in Dunsany Castle. In 1966, monthly meetings were changed to the first Wednesday of each month in the Horace Plunkett Hall in Dunsany which the guild later helped to restore and was awarded a Toyota Heritage award for the project. As well as ongoing activities, the social aspect of the guild is very important, and it runs an annual senior citizens party, and talks and events as part of National Heritage Week are also organised. There are currently 16 members involved in the numerous activities of the guild

The book will be launched on Saturday 22nd November at 3pm by local historian and journalist, John Donohoe, and all are welcome.