August 2021 –
Letter from National President Hilda Roche

A Cháirde, I hope you are all enjoying some quality time with your family and friends during the summer and that you have been able to reconnect outdoors with your ICA friends. I really hope that we will be able to get back to our Guild and Federation meetings in the Autumn, with social distancing and adhering to all HSE advice, government rules and guidelines and where we are with regard to Covid. The really successful roll out of the vaccinations has made a big difference. If Guilds and Federations are able to meet, then it is of course a personal choice whether to attend or not. Our wonderful college is looking splendid, so do plan a visit. An Grianán has completed and been awarded Fáilte Ireland Covid Safety Charter and has been awarded Fáilte Ireland Certificate of Tourist Accommodation Approval. Well done to Niamh and all the staff. Your officers, National Executive Board and National Advisory Committee have been busy with training and meetings. The NAC has elected Ann Lonergan South Tipperary Federation President as Chair of the NAC and Mary O’ Gorman Kildare Federation President has been elected Vice Chair of the NAC. I wish them well in their new roles. We are looking forward to our new CEO Eufemia Solinas starting on 6th September. Eufemia is originally from Sardinia and has been living in Ireland for the last 18 years. She is an experienced CEO and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Non Profit Charity sector….exciting times ahead. Over the past number of months we lost two former national Presidents, Eva Coyle from Donegal and Mamo Mc Donald from Monaghan. They will always be fondly remembered in ICA. At Mamo’s funeral I was told by her family that when asked what she felt was the best thing she did during her ICA presidency, she said visiting all twenty seven Federations and every single Guild all over the country during her three years. There would have been many more Guilds then than there are now, but I want to follow her example and would love to visit all Federations and Guilds at some stage over the next three years le cúnamh Dé. Tabhair aire daoibh féin agus dá chéile. Take care of yourselves and one another. Hilda Roche National President

National Elections
Hilda Roche wins National President
30 April 2021

Dear Members,  

Following the election count that took place earlier today, I am delighted to announce that Hilda Roche of Ashford Guild in Wicklow Federation has been announced as the next National President of the ICA.   Congratulations Hilda!  

I wish you every success for the next three years.   Wishing you all a great bank holiday weekend!      

Josephine Helly
National President