Silverware and national drama success for Longford ICA Federation

Congratulations to the Longford ICA Federation drama team who travelled to An Grianán to perform a sketch written by Pauline Flood “A day out in ICA”.

Competing in the ICA National Drama competition for the Eleanora Gibbon Cup for drama, they came home with the Cup.

Well done to Arts Officer Margo Ward who initiated the event and competed in the Drama Competition with Rosalind McCormack, Mary Fenelon, Anne O’Reilly, Breege Kenny, Brid Sweeney and May Campbell. The director was Angela McKeon.

St Patrick's Day parade award
Congratulations to all in Longford ICA Federation on winning the “Best on Theme” Award in St Patrick's Day Parade in Longford.

Our Float was a jeep pulling a trailer depicting ways of managing one’s own good health, physically and mentally. On the trailer were women doing Chairobics for fitness, ladies knitting and crocheting while chatting, good for mental health. Two ladies at the back of the trailer gardening as Gardening is good for your mental and physical wellbeing. Grow your own Vegetables and flowers. There were ladies walking behind the float to show the benefits of walking, dancing and physical activity in general. Sláinte.

PICTURES | Rain fails to dampen spirits at top class Longford St Patrick's Day parade

Well done to Mary Fenelon, Angela McKeon, Linda Rogers, Anne O’Reilly, Breege Kenny & May Campbell for creating the Float and to all the ladies who joined in on the day to support.

We then travelled out to Ballymahon to support the new ICA Guild there and spread the word that ICA is alive and well. Guild President Alison Bray collected the Best Newcomer Award for our float there.  

PICTURES | A sea of smiles and green in north Longford for Ballinamuck's second ever St Patrick's day parade

We have decided to hold an Easter draw to raise funds for the MRI Machine in Mullingar Hospital. The prizes are as follows. First  is a Torc Easter Hamper, 2nd  is an Easter Cake,  3rd is a bottle of Whiskey and 4th An Easter Flower arrangement.  Our tickets are selling well with only a few more books to go. Thanks to all who are putting in a special effort to sell especially Ballinamuck Guild.  It is for a very good cause as we will all benefit from having a working MRI Scanner in Mullingar Hospital. 

Nomination papers for the positions of Federation President, Secretary, Treasurer, PRO and Timire should be returned by now,  or by March 26 at  the latest,  to Federation Secretary Anne Marie Donohue.  You all have her address or they can be left into Longford PO for her to collect there.  We would like to see all Guilds represented on the Federation committee.  

Our March walk is Cairn Hill on March 24 at 12 noon. Ennybegs Guild might make us tea when we come down if we are good. 

The April walk on Sunday 19th April is to the Stairway of Heaven in Co Leitrim.  Will anyone intending to go on this walk please give your name at either the March or April meeting so we can decide if we need a bus or not. 

Longford Weekend in An Grianán is this weekend 22nd to 24th March. There is still time to book direct with An Grianán. 

Federation Committee meeting on 27th March in HQ at 7p.m. Guild Presidents that are not represented on the Committee are welcome to this meeting.  The Easter draw and the Lotto for a Jackpot of  €9,300 will take place after the meeting.

Lotto results from 13th March. No Jackpot winner.  Numbers drawn 5,  8,  12  and 16.  €20 winners were Jeanette Forde, Mary O’Malley and Betty Casey.   

PHOTO CAPTION: Longford ICA Federation won the Eleanora Cup for Drama in the ICA National competition. Front row l to r; Competition Judge, Director Angela McKeon, Rosalind McCormack, Mary Fenelon, Longford Federation Arts Officer Margo Ward accepting the Cup from ICA National President Hilda Roche. Back; Anne O'Reilly, May Campbell, Breege Kenny and Brid Sweeney