Longford I.C.A. Papers

IDENTITY STATEMENT

Reference code: P6

Title: Papers of Longford I.C.A.

Dates: 1945-2007

Level of description: Fonds

Extent: 7 boxes

CONTEXT

Historical statement

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association was founded as the Society of United Irishwomen in 1910, inspired by Sir Horace Plunkett’s co-operative movement.

The first branch was in Bree, County Wexford. In 1935, that organisation was dissolved and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (Bantracht na Tuaithe) established in its place. Since then, the I.C.A. operates in every county. In 1954, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation entrusted An Grianán, a large country house near Termonfeckin, County Louth, to the I.C.A.. It has since served as its headquarters and an adult education centre.

The guild is the local branch, headed by a president. All guilds in a county belong to the county federation, which has its own executive. Federation meetings are held quarterly and are open to all guild members.

The I.C.A. in Longford began in 1939 when Mrs Alice MacEoin, wife of Lt. Gen. Seán MacEoin, invited ladies in her area to form a guild in Ballinalee.

Immediate source of acquisition

The Longford I.C.A. Papers were deposited by the county federation and guilds in the period 2004-07, with the support of the executive of the federation.

CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

Scope and content

The collection includes minutes from most guilds in Longford, and other material from many, including annual reports, correspondence and photographs. The county federation archives, from 1947 onwards, include minutes, correspondence and other items.

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS AND USE

Conditions governing access: Available in the reading room, Library HQ. Items that are less than thirty years old are CLOSED to the general public.

Language: English

Finding aid: Descriptive list