Preliminary Report back from this year’s National AGM in Athlone: The Meeting ended in postponement. New date 25th November 2019. (Guild Voting Delegate was Rachel Gillen)
Annual Invitation from Helen Morrow (Guild Yoga Instructor).  Helen is facilitating outdoor simple yoga in Marlay and St. Enda’s Parks (main car parks are meeting places both venues) on Monday and Tuesday mornings this June and July,  starting at 10.15am sharp.  If late, the company will be in either of the walled gardens.

All ICA guild members, their family and friends are most welcome.  Keep the morning free – class lasts 1 -1/2 hours, with option for coffee afterwards.  You can leave early if necessary.  Wear comfy clothes and shoes, prepare for all weathers, bring raincoat and sunhat, glasses and sun screen and a plastic bag with something in it to make a seat. No mat required.

Cost? voluntary contribution for charity – (and own coffee money)

This year the Mary Clarke Trophy was awarded  to Rachel Gillen.   

Rachel wrote and essay on “Your Favourite Irish Heroine of the last 100 years”. Her favourite heroine was Katy Taylor the boxing sportsperson.

Also at our Meeting on 25th May  we were delighted that “Beezie” A  Comic One Woman Drama  by Sheila Flitton was performed for us (the Humours and Trials of Beezie’s Life Story).    It was presented in Bewley’s Cafe Theatre earlier this year and awarded 5 Stars by critics and theatre goers alike.                                                                                             

Our AGM 2019 was held on May 9.    SALLY ANN FLANAGAN, Personal Stylist at House of Fraser made a popular return to  the Guild for an evening of fashion, beauty and fun following our business Meeting.  

Our ANNUAL OUTING was held on Sat. 13th April to Seamus Heaney’s Childhood Homeplace .                       

 

 

 

On Thursday 11th April 2019, Ann O’Dea, Flower Arranger, inspired us with FLOWERS FOR EASTER.   Ann is loved by many and her art gives so much pleasure.   It was an inspiring and relaxing evening.   It was good to see Sheila Hurley in the audience. 

Spring this year in Marlay brought us two of our most important Meetings.  They are long standing events for all ICA Guilds:  International Night and Irish Night.

For International Night Marlay chose The Netherlands.   Orange was the colour of the evening and a competition was held for best dressed ladies.

Sr Margaret came 1st , Angeline Whelan took 2nd and Joyce Tanner-Walshe 3rd prize.  Photo below:

 

Also in the picture is Laura our International Officer and Colette who both organised the evening.    There was Dutch Cuisine and a bottle of Heineken for everyone.  There were many aspects to this evening making it a great success.

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Our IRISH NIGHT(March 14) which always is held around St Patrick’s Day – what en event:  plenty of  Ceol agus Craic.  A lively St Patrick’s celebration of music and dance. 

Sean O’Brienbrought six Ceolthas musicians and singers.

  

Angeline Whelan of   The Irish National Folk Group (link) organised for Alan and his four companions to dance.

Members joined in some of the dances and choruses of songs known to them.

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At our second Meeting in February Cathi Fleming gave us a talk ” Irish Heroine of the French Resistance (Sr. Kate McCarthy from Cork)”.  Kate Mc Carthy saved over 200 men from the Gestapo in France during WW2. She was a leading light in the Paris Women’s Resistance Movement. As a nurse, she had access to the wounded soldiers. As a nun and Irish citizen, she used her contacts to set up an escape route for soldiers, using safe houses. In 1941 Sr Kate was arrested and sentenced to death. Later this was commuted to Life Imprisonment. She was one of 6 women who got medals out of 2,000, who were active in The Paris Resistance. She died in 1971 aged 76yrs. She received post-humous Award from De Gaulle + a Le Chat Award from South of France. Truly one of the great Irish women of 20th century.

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For Valentine’s Evening (March 14) Amanda of Elemis in Harvey Nicholls, Dundrum Town Centre gave us a “Skincare Evening” .    Amanda is soknowledgeable about skin care (call to see her in DTC) and she will be happy to help with your skincare.                             

Laura was our model for the evening.

There was a raffle and Kay White won 1st prize of Elemis Creams and Treatments.

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At our second Meeting in January 2019 we met Deirdre O’Mara, proprietor of Cornucopia. She gave us a useful overview of preparation and benefits of Vegetarianism and Veganism and their relevance in our food consumption. Members had tastings of several dishes and received a booklet of recipes to bring home. Emphasis was on fresh wholesome food to promote good health and well-being for all the family.

 

We had our first meeting on Thursday 10th January. It was a very successful start to a healthy NEW YEAR. Lily Philips was the guest for the evening and had us all fit and happy to “do something” for the coming seasons.

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Our Guild Christmas Party  was held at Stackstown Golf Club on Kellystown Road.  

Message from Rachel follows: “Congrats + thanks to everyone for the super Xmas Party. Organisation was superb.  Enjoyed every moment of it. Thanks to all who donated gifts to raffle. Well done especially to Laura on festive raffle, Colette on kriskindels and Enda + Lily on their very important + busy work at the entrance.”

  

Marlay Guild hosted Dublin Federation’s Meeting at the Riu Gresham Hotel on Wed. 5th December.  Our crafts exhibit was much admired.  We say thanks to Colette and Laura.   The flower arrangement created by Sheila for Dublin Federation’s top table was the raffle prize  for the evening.   It was won by Federation President Joan Canning.

6 December 2018 · (extract from Dub. Fed. Facebook Page)

A Dublin Federation meeting was held at the Riu Gresham Hotel last night. It was hosted by Marlay Guild. Their Guild President Rachel Gillen welcomed everyone and spoke about the history of Marlay Guild.

It was founded in 1993 so they celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. Rosemary Curlander was the ICA advisor who came out and helped them set the guild up. At one stage they had 160 members but currently have 115 members. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday every month at Marlay Church Parish Centre. Their theme for their crafts display was “At Home For Members”.

At our last Guild Meeting of 2018 we were delighted that Fr. Brian D’Arcy  was our guest.     A writer, newspaper columnist, broadcaster, and preacher who has led an exciting and interesting life.    Photos below

Also that evening we remembered Guild Members and their friends who have passed away in recent years.

BOOK CLUB: Meetings are scheduled for 3rd Thursday each month at 7.30pm  – (membership rule applies).  

At our Meeting on 25th Oct we celebrated Halloween with a Quiz Night (Fun/Socialising Night organised by the Committee ).  New members were especially looked after.    

👍The Committee under our Guild President Rachel ran the very successful evening.   

Questions were prepared by  Lily(Rathfarnham), Colette(Music), Mary(Food & Cookery), Enda (General & Current Affairs), Laura(Place Names),  (Flora and Fauna) and Jessica(photo round) ……photos of evening below

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On  October 11th  Sinéad Ryan, journalist  spoke to the Guild about consumer affairs

                                                                                                                                     

We asked Sinéad many questions about day to day family topics.  She had all the answers giving us an very informative night.    Thanks Sinéad from us all.

Also on that night two of our members Phyl  Dollard and Monica Daffy collected Babushka gift boxes from our members for the charity Pashli (www.pashli.org).    Good work ladies  – pictures below:

 

At the Meeting held on Thursday 27th Sept., our guest was Betty Purcell talking about her book “Inside RTE  –  a memoir”.   She gave us a very entertaining evening recalling her working life with RTE and other stages in her life.  Such a charming lady –

 

 

There was a jam making contest also that night.  Laura Malone our Competitions Promoter ran the event.             The results were as follows:

Enda Hughes 1st prize:  Rita O’Regan 2nd prize :      Elma Clarke 3rd prize and  Highly Commended was Mary Dillon.

Congratulations Ladies

 

 

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Our YOGA classes have recommenced.   You have to be a fully paid up member to participate.   There may be places in the early class on Wed at 6pm.  Interested contact Lily Farrelly.

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Here are some photos for our first Guild Meeting this year –  our scheduled guest was unable to attend (illness – we wish her well and a speedy recovery).   As usual the Meeting got off to a very busy start, but no nerves were on show from our President, Rachel and secretary Angeline and Laura our Crafts Promoter.

Business went through as usual and the guest’s place was substituted by Joe Johnston & Friends.

Great music, singing and dancing .   We had the usual cup of tea at evening’s end.

The wonderful summer of 2018  is ending and autumn approaches – our first autumn Meeting was held on Thursday 14th September.  Doors open at 7.30 pm and the venue is Parish Centre,  Marley Grange (mobile 086 051 0832):

Members arriving at Meeting –

INTERESTED IN JOINING US ? please note: the fee for the remainder of this year -up to 31st December 2018 – is only €32.  

Rachel Gillen,  our President

Rachel introduced her Committee and presented her Programme for the coming ICA Year up to June 2019 at the first Meeting in September 2019.    It promises to be a very entertaining and interesting time.

Committee 2018-2019 is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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and here are Pauline’s team, who cater for the Guild at each Meeting :

 

 

 

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