ICA Westmeath Federation

17/10/2026

WESTMEATH ICA FEDERATION NOTES

On Tuesday, 6th October, the Westmeath Federation of the ICA held our first meeting of the season in Aras an Mhuilinn. Mullingar Guild was the host on the night. There were four guilds in attendance. Rose Rice took the chair at her first meeting as President of the Federation. Thanks to Rosaleen Madden who has been our president for the last few years.

Congratulations were expressed to Ber Ennis, Horseleap/Streamstown Guild who represented Westmeath Federation in the Brown Bread Competition at the National Ploughing Championship. Ber might not have won the competition but anyone who is lucky enough to taste her brown bread knows that her bread is made from the traditional brown bread recipe.

Our annual ACWW walk was held on the Old Rail Trail, Streamstown during the summer. €170 was collected for the ACWW. ACWW funds projects to improve the quality of life for women and communities worldwide.

The guilds were busy during the summer with Ballinea/Brotenstown taking up pitch and put and pickle ball. They had a presentation from TEAM and made a donation to the organisation. They visited the Shackleton Experience, Athy, the National stud and Japanese Gardens.

Castlepollard Guild visited the Shackleton Experience, Athy. They are also taking singing lessons. They are attending exercises for the Young at Heart and hope to visit Westport in the near future.

Horseleap/Streamstown have just returned from a trip to Westport. They had a day trip to the Dail and the Guinness Storehouse. Another day trip to Kilruddery Gardens and Bray. At the moment they are making calico dolls and cross stitching. Line dancing will commence on 22nd October for 8 weeks starting at 8.00p.m. All members are welcome.

Mullingar Guild went to Wales for their day trip and took the train to Bangor. They have Willow weaving class organised for November. They are also holding a Halloween night in the Annebrook Hotel. They plan to visit the Mary Aikenhead Visitors Centre, Harolds Cross in November.

The competition was the Harvest Platter which was won by Horseleap/Streamstown Guild. The adjudicator was Anne Russell from The Mullingar Gardening Club.

The meeting concluded with our usual cup of tea and chat.

14/09/2026

The ACWW walk was held on the Old Rail Trail, Streamstown, which finished with refreshments in Jacks Stop. €170 was collected.

14/09/2026

Best of luck to Ber Ennis in the Brown Bread Competition tomorrow.

06/08/2026

Ber Ennis features in the Westmeath Examiner.

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

The Westmeath ICA Federation held their AGM on 21st May, in Horseleap/Streamstown Community Hall. The host was the Horseleap/Streamstown Guild.

Rosaleen welcomed everyone to the meeting. After our prayer and song, condolences were expressed to Nuala Reid on the death of her brother, Paddy Nolan, Ber Ennis on the death of her son, Albert, Gertie Wallace on the death of her brother, Ray Monaghan and Pamela Comiskey on the death of her daughter, Olga.

The Guilds present were: Ballinea/Brotenstown, Castlepollard, Horseleap/Streamstown and Mullingar.

Rosaleen reminded everyone that the National AGM will be held in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Saturday, 23rd May, 2026.

The Guilds gave the reports on their activities throughout the year:

Brotenstown/Ballinea Guild made a presentation to TEAM. They had a talk on international Women’s Day. They collected a Wellness Hamper for the women in temporary accommodation as a way of showing solidarity with them while they are experiencing such difficult times. They also had a talk from Sharon Butler on Stroke and women. They have a visit to the Japanese Gardens planned.

Castlepollard Guild had a most interesting visit to the Ernest Shackleton Museum in Athy. They also attended Chair Yoga and are planning a trip to Sligo in the Autumn.

Horseleap/Streamstown Guild celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a night out in the Court Hotel, Tullamore and also celebrated it with a party in the Community Centre with founding and past members in attendance. They also had a trip to the Gleneagles, Killarney. At Christmas instead of exchanging gifts, they gave a donation to South Westmeath Hospice and had a night out in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe. They held Line Dancing classes and fundraised €1220 for Sarcoma Ireland Association. Classes were open to members and non-members. Pole walking classes are on at the moment and a trip to Westport is planned for September.

Mullingar Guild held Pilates classes, Mosaic on plates and crochet classes. They also raised €1000 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association by knitting Easter chicks. They paid a visit to Malahide and have a day trip to Holyhead, Wales, planned with Brotenstown/Ballinea for the Autumn.

The following members were elected as officers:

President: Rose Rice, Horseleap/Streamstown Guild

Secretary: Liz Gavigan, Brotenstown/Ballinea Guild

Treasurer: Helen O’Gorman, Mullingar Guild

Mullingar Guild entertained us with their drama which they entered in the competition held in An Grianan, titled “Did that really happen??” We all enjoyed the performance.

Congratulations were extended to the Westmeath Team and best of luck in the next round of the All-Ireland Championship. Congratulations also to the Ladies on their great win and best of luck in their future games.

The Brown Bread Competition was held at the meeting and judged by Bernie Mulligan.

Ber Ennis, Horseleap/Streamstown Guild was the winner with Eilish McDonnell, from the same guild 2nd and Liz Gavigan, Brotenstown/Ballinea Guild coming 3rd. Best of luck to Ber in the next step of the competition which will be held in An Grianan.

The meeting finished with refreshments and our usual chat.

09/02/2026

Our Federation meeting was held on Saturday, 31st January. Bernie Mulligan judged the cherry cake competition.
There were 5 entries and the winner was Liz Brady. Castlepollard Guild.
Bernie spoke about the Irish cancer Society. Catherine Leavey gave a briefing on ACWW.

05/01/2026

WESTMEATH ICA FEDERATION NOTES

The Westmeath ICA Federation held our last meeting of 2025 in style. We dined in the Annebrook hotel on 6th December, 2025. There was a great turnout with representatives from all the Guilds.

We were pleased to have our National President, Mary Darcy, as our guest.

We wish to extend our condolences to Bertie on the death of his daughter, Annemarie, to his family and his amazing staff who served us with great resilience.

Our competition was a Christmas decoration made from recycled material. The award went to Eilish McDonnell, Horseleap/Streamstown Guild.

We wrapped up our meeting with a Christmas gift to everyone present, thanks to Roseleen Madden and Helen O’Gorman.

Wishing all our members a very happy and peaceful New Year.