Limerick federation ICA notes Week ending Jan. 14th

NATIONAL COMPETITIONS:
January is a good time for planning so this week we will have a look at the National ICA Competitions which take place over the next few months. One of the aims of ICA is that we should always try something new and by entering competitions we always push ourselves to do a little better and improve our knowledge and skills. Have a look at the upcoming competitions and discuss them with fellow guild members and try something new. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Creative Writing Competition
Title:  A Mystery to be Solved (maximum 1000 words)
Entry Fee:  €5.00 - Please make cheques payable to ICA Contests
Closing Date:  17th February 2012, Central Office
Inter Federation Cup for Crafts
Craft:  Bookmark - 3 Categories (CrossStitch/Blackwork/Embroidery) - No Size Restriction
Entry Fee:  €5.00 - Please make cheques payable to ICA Contests
Closing Date:  17th February 2012, Central Office
Baumann Cup for Art
Art: A Winter Garden Scene - Unmounted (Acrylics) - No Size Restriction
Entries must not be mounted or framed.
Entry Fee:  €5.00 - Please make cheques payable to ICA Contests. 
Please include your name, address, telephone number, guild and federation on a separate piece of paper and stamped addressed package for return.
Closing Date:  23rd March 2012, Central Office
Baumann Shield for Music
Theme:  Two Songs about Love/Romance (Song can be about either)
Group of 4 - 10 singers (need not all be from same guild)
Accompanist need not be an ICA member but all singers must be paid up members.
No backing tracks allowed.
Costumes will not gain marks.
Entry Closing Date:  23rd March 2012, Central Office
National Final: 28th April 2012
Eleanora Gibbon Shield
Theme: Two Simple Songs (As Gaeilge)
Group of 4 - 10 singers (need not all be from same guild)
Accompanist need not be an ICA member but all singers must be paid up members.
No backing tracks allowed.
Costumes will not gain marks.
Entry Closing Date:  23rd March 2012, Central Office
National Final: 28th April 2012
Patsy Lawlor Cup for Set Dancing - Full Set / Patsy Lawlor Sheild for Set Dancing - Half Set
Teams will be required to dance two figures of their chosen set.
Marching on and off floor not permitted.
Dancing shoes (jig, hornpipe, batter) not permitted.
Uniforms will not gain extra marks.
Teams need not all be from same guild.
There will be a musician at the National Final to play for the sets.
Details of Federation winners with name of set being danced to Central Office by 23rd March 2012 and National Final will be held on 28th April 2012
Gempack Recipe Competition National Final - 24th March 2012 at An Grianán
Dinner for a Family of Four to include a Starter, Main Course and Desert using as many Gempack Products as possible.
Proof of Gempack Purchases is required at Federation and National Level.
The names and recipes of the Federation winners of the Gempack Recipe Competition must be submitted to Central Office by 27th February 2012.  
Gempack Baking Competition National Final - 24th March 2012 at An Grianán
Simnel Cake (Maximum Size 8 inches Round).  Proof of Gempack Purchases is required at Federation and National Level.
The names and recipes of the Federation winners of the Gempack Cake Baking Competition must be submitted to Central Office by 27th February 2012.  
National Table Quiz Final
24th March 2012 at An Grianán - Names of Federation Teams to be submitted to Central Office by 27th February 2012. 
Out of the entry fees for the table quiz we are asking federations to pay dinner and B&B for their winning team in An Grianán.
Information Pack will be forwarded to Federations in Early March 2012.
Tivoli Make and Model Competition
Theme: One Item to wear on a Spring Outing - Proof of Tivoli Wool Purchase is required at Federation and National Level.
The maker of the outfit must model it herself at Federation Final and at the National Final in An Grianán.
Names of Federation Winner to be submitted to Central Office by 27th February 2012. 
Information Pack will be forwarded in Early March 2012
National Final will be held on 24th March at An Grianán
Check website for further details on this competition regarding type of wool to be used.

Please note that all entries are to be addressed to Liz Wall, National Contests Committee at 58 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4