Notes W/E September 5th 2009

ICA Ladies from 'The Liberties'Kathleen Godfrey,Breda Flood and Mary Moloney at Museum of Mountmellick Embroidery August 2009


Craft Experts Ann ICA members Ann Baggott,Ballingarry and Pat Cronin,Feenag at Mountmellick Museum of embroidery August 2009

Comhbhrón
Condolences are extended to Nancy McGrath of Pallasgreen ICA on the recent death of her brother Mr Jack Franklin, Corelish, Pallasgreen. Jack is deeply mourned by his wife Alice, brothers George and Joe, sister Nancy, extended family, friends and neighbours RIP
Following Requiem Mass in Nicker Church his funeral took place on Tuesday last August 25th to Old Pallas cemetery.
Mountmellick Embroidery


Represented among the group who visited the Museum of Mountmellick embroidery work recently were ICA members from Askeaton, Ballingarry,

Cappamore, Drombanna, Feenagh, Kildimo, Knockarron/Knocklong,

Mungret, Murroe and Pallasgreen.

Great interest was expressed in both the recently completed pieces on display and those from the past. In the 1970’s a local Quaker family, Pims, presented a trunk, which was to contain old Mountmellick embroidery patterns to the local convent. Coincidently the Presentation sisters were in occupancy of the building where the former Society of Friends ‘The Quakers’ Mountmellickl School was located up to 1921. Some of the community began to investigate the lost art and one of the sisters Sr Teresa Margaret McCarthy of Mainistir Na Féile pursued this with great enthusiasm and vigour. The original designs were inspired by the local flora and fauna and symbolise the rich Quaker heritage in Mountmellick. Her embroidery classes continued to flourish both locally and further afield. Indeed many ICA members were first introduced to this white on white work at An Grianan and now want to learn to stitch it for themselves.

Facilities for such workshops are available at the museum and consideration is being given to following up on this.

It is also interesting to note that in the household records of 1847 for Adare House, Co Limerick it is recorded that a bedspread was purchased from J.Carter, probably Johanna Carter the person credited with the invention of Mountmellick embroidery, and most likely the first recorded sale.







PRO Training


Training sessions are presently being organised for all guild PRO’s. Commencing in Cappamore on Saturday October 24th and in Castlemahon on November 7th, sessions are also being arranged in Drombanna and Kilcornan early in 2010.It is hoped that at the completion of these training days all PRO’s will have had the opportunity of availing of one of these events.

Full details will be circulated to all guilds and should you require any other information or assistance please contact Federation PRO Phyllis (087) 2452336




Pitch and Putt


Best wishes to the Federation Pitch and Putt team comprising of Ann Marie Collins, Crecora, Rose Connolly, Drombanna, Kathleen Keyes, Crecora and Carol O’Keeffe, Askeaton /Ballysteen who are competing in the National finals at An Grianán this coming week-end.