Irish Countrywomen's Association

History

Inspired by the work of Horace Plunkett, a first branch of the Society of United Irishwomen was founded in 1910 by Anita Lett in County Wexford, followed by a second towards the end of that year. The wider association was established by a committee meeting at The Plunkett House, the headquarters of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, and including Ellice Pilkington, great-granddaughter of Henry Grattan, with the support of Horace Plunkett. In 1935, the society changed its name to the Irish Countrywomen's Association to avoid any association with the nationalist United Ireland Party (now known as Fine Gael).

Working against the rampant antifeminism of 20th-century Ireland, the association worked on teaching and promoting rural housewives to establish home industries, maintain a hygienic home, provide a healthy diet for their families, and take an active role in public and intellectual life. From its earliest days, the association was enthusiastic for the development of an Irish artistic and crafts identity.

During the 20th century, the ICA was involved in the promotion of good health, education, and access to basic utilities throughout Ireland. It worked closely with the ESB Group during its roll-out of rural electrification in the 1950s and 1960s.

Activities

The association runs courses in crafts and skills at its centre An Grianán in Termonfeckin, County Louth. The centre was purchased using funds secured by an ICA sub-committee on "residential courses", which was founded in 1953 and chaired by Máirín Beaumont. This centre was founded by Muriel Gahan and Kathleen Delap. The centre has a garden house named in honour of the ICA president, Lucy Franks, who oversaw the plans for the centre in the years before it opened.

As of 2007, the organisation was campaigning on behalf of women who receive wrong cancer diagnoses. In December 2007, it organised a meeting in Dublin of 1,100 women, one of a series of such meetings around Ireland.

Politics

Former presidents, Kit Ahern, Peggy Farrell, and Camilla Hannon were nominated by the Taoiseach to serve in Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas (the Irish parliament). Another former president, Patsy Lawlor, was elected to the Cultural and Educational Panel in 1981.

Leadership

Notable former presidents included Elizabeth Burke-Plunkett, Lucy Franks, Bea Orpen, Kit Ahern, Peggy Farrell, and Patsy Lawlor.

References

References

1. Power, Jack. (16 November 2022). "Sidelined Irish Countrywomen's Association secretary raised 'concerns' over governance". [[The Irish Times]].
2. "History - Irish Countrywomen's Association".
3. "The Irish Countrywomen's Association".
4. The United Irishwomen : their place, work and ideals ; Plunkett, Horace and Pilkington, Eilice and Russell, George (AE) ; Dublin, 1911 ; pages 21-22
5. (2016). "[[Dictionary of Irish Biography]]". Cambridge University Press.
6. (2009). "Dictionary of Irish Biography". Cambridge University Press.
7. Seán MacConnell. (3 December 2007). "ICA group to support women with cancer misdiagnoses". The Irish Times.