Compiled by Aileen O'Shea, Sinead Burns and Alison Hogan
With special thanks to Ms.Frances O'Halloran.

HISTORY OF GORTLOMAIN ICA GUILD

Gortlomain ICA Guild is now in its 88th year,the oldest Guild in Clare and the second oldest in Ireland.It was founded in October 1912. Members of Gortlomain Guild have always taken ladieship roles in the Organsation. In 1945, Gortlomain sponsored the opening of a federation in the county when Miss Phyllis O' Connell,organiser, attended an meeting held in the Queen's held and outlined the aims and ideals of a federation. The late Mrs. F. Ruttle, another Gortlomain member, its first Secrettary.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS

In more recent times Three members were officers of the Clare Federation of the I.C.A. for three years. Bridin Twist Presdent,Bridie RosengraveSecretary,RebeccaO'Neill Treasurer.In 1994 Bridin Twist went on to become National President of the I.C.A a role she filled for three years.She was National Sectary before that.At present two members Francis O'Halloran and Maureen Murphy have been approached County Development Advisers by the National Council of the I.C.A.They will help to develop the I.C.A by visiting exeisting guilds up by helping women to set up new builds.

REPRESENTITIVES

Francis O'Halloran repersents Gortlomain I.C.A guild on the Ennis area circuit of the Clare County Development Board.She has been elected by fellow members of the Ennis Network to the Clare County Commuinty Forarm.The Clare County Development Board is up and running with many special commitees. If any voluntary organisation in the Parish has ideas for improvement in such aspects as Agriculture,Roads and transport the Envoirment,Tourism Leisure faclities local social services Industrial and Economic Development. A member of the Barefield Guild asks that they are submitted in writing as soon as possible as it is hoped to have a new strategy plan published before Jan 2002.

THE MILLENIUM

In the Millenium Year the ICA is awarding special Millenium certs for arts awards. Members who received Branrai this year are Maureen Murphy& Maura O'Donoughue. ICA is not all hard work and no play.At every meeting there is a break for tea and to finish there is a social half hour.They may have a quiz, songs, dance or poetry reading. And every year there may be at Christamas time there may be a dinner dance or a concert.The ICA are fortunate to have their own cottage in which to hold there meetings there to hold there craft nights.In 1999 the local FAS team dry lined and plastered the interior.This year a new team dry stoned the front wall, painted the doors and windows and gradually furbished the place. They hope to carry out further improvements but this will cause money, So at present they are fundraising and their first attempt was a crafts sale Saturday23rd September. Maybe before Christmas they will have another. They count on your support to retain one of the few Irish cottages left in the parish. They would welcome any old cooking equipment such as pots and pans furniture too that you may have thrown out for more modern equipment.If any more news arrives the website will be updated.And all women are welcome to come along for a night to observe.

1985 - Tree Planting Ceremony.

MEETINGS

In Gortlomain we hold ovur meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. in our cottage in Barefield. We try to divide the meetings into four segments - th first half hour is devoted to business, the second to a guest speaker or demonstration, then a welcome cuppa and chat and the last part is known as the social half hour. This is the ideal of all guilds but it doesn't always run to schedule. However, we try. We aim to make the quality of life better and more rewarding fo our members, with responsibility to our neighbour and community. We try to keep abreast with current affairs, new trends, etc. and are always open to new ideas. Most guilds get involved in competion,drama,flower arraning etc. and all try to have an annual outing to some place of interest and a scoial evening at Christmas time.

There are at present thirty nine guilds in Clare all the counties have a federation,again with Presidents, secretary and Treasurer.