Laois Federation ICA

Contact the school

Laois Federation ICA Laois Federation has 12 Guilds across County Laois. The current Federation President is Deirdre Dunne from Mountmellick Guild

The Laois federation was formed in 1950 and held its first meeting in the vocational school in Portlaoise. There were 6 Guilds present – Abbeyleix, Castletown, Rath, Stradbally and Graigcullen. The Founding President of the Federation was Mrs Bland from Graigcullen. The Federation grew from this start to a peak of 35 Guilds. In 2012 we now have 25 Guilds with 365 members. The newest Guild is Portlaoise which was formed on 22nd Feb 2009. Laois Federation is in the heart of the Slieve Bloom Mountains and has lots to offer both in ICA activities and historical sites including the Rock of Dunamaise, the Round Tower of Timahoe, Brittas Castle in Clonaslee, Emo Court and of course the very beautiful gardens of Clonohill, Gash Gardens and Haywood. One of the best known crafts is Mountmellick Lace which dates back to 1825 and it continues to be taught by ICA members to this day. Laois Federation has 2 of the oldest Guilds in the Country – Abbeyleix which was founded in 1914 and Castletown in 1915 by the late great Lucy Franks who was the National Secretary of the Association and became National President in 1942 as she loved gardens so much that a garden house was built in her memory surrounded by roses at An Grianan. Laois Federation is very proud to have an ICA Choir that performs to sell out audiences all over the Federation and has had the honour to perform at Dublin Castle in the presence of President Mary McAlese at our Centenary Celebrations. More recently we are proud to have as National Secretary Kathleen Gorman of the Ballyroan Guild.

Well done to all who entered, especially our own Carmel Brennan from Ballylinan guild. We’re are so proud of you for rep...
28/07/2026

Well done to all who entered, especially our own Carmel Brennan from Ballylinan guild. We’re are so proud of you for representing Laois today.

Congratulations to Mayo, Westmeath and Meath!

💙💚 Congratulations to Margaret McEvoy from Spink guild, winner of the Kathleen Gorman Cup at the Ossory Agricultural Sho...
26/07/2026

💙💚 Congratulations to Margaret McEvoy from Spink guild, winner of the Kathleen Gorman Cup at the Ossory Agricultural Show Rathdowney today. 🥳

6 fantastic Coffee sponge cake entries.
Well done to runners up 2nd place Borris-in-Ossory and 3rd place Killabban.

Special thanks to our Contest Secretary, AnnaMai Brennan for all the hard work and dedication. 💚💙

19/07/2026

Heartwarming: Laois ICA donates bags of handmade tiny hats and baby blankets to Portlaoise paediatric ward ❤️ Well done to all the guild members involved 👏

Well done Killabban ICA Co. Laois. Wishing you continued success for the next 60 years.
16/07/2026

Well done Killabban ICA Co. Laois. Wishing you continued success for the next 60 years.

Friends, family and supporters gathered on the 29 June in Killeen Hall to see the launch of a cookbook featuring recipes from Killabban ICA members.

Thanks again for your beautiful performance in the 💖💖💖💖💐💐💐💐
15/07/2026

Thanks again for your beautiful performance in the
💖💖💖💖💐💐💐💐

Afternoon ladies and Guilds.I'm delighted to share this picture handing over the Amazing Hats and Blankets to Staff nur...
15/07/2026

Afternoon ladies and Guilds.
I'm delighted to share this picture handing over the Amazing Hats and Blankets to Staff nurse Susy in the Paediatric Unit of Portlaoise Hospital today.
These are what was collected at the Federation meeting in Mountmellick.
Other members of staff came to see what the fuss was about and they were all so delighted to see the work.
Thank you to the Guilds and friends who helped with this.
Hopefully more Guilds will get involved for our next collection which will be at our next Federation meeting in September.

Laois Federation ICA’s annual fundraiser in aid of Laois Hospice and the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre took place today. ...
12/07/2026

Laois Federation ICA’s annual fundraiser in aid of Laois Hospice and the Cuisle Cancer Support Centre took place today. A fantastic turnout in fabulous sunshine.
Special thanks to Emer Dunne Singer for cutting the ribbon to launch the event and for her incredible performance.
Thanks to Mace, Mighty Mols, Service Station, Mountrath for sponsoring the water and all the goodies.
Thanks to our Sport & Leisure Officer Noreen Ui Laighin for organising another wonderful event. Thanks to everyone who helped out today.
And most importantly thank you to everyone who has donated to these incredible vital causes. 🙏🏼

Well done Javeriyaart, great article. Exhibition open in Bloomhq until end of July.
12/07/2026

Well done Javeriyaart, great article. Exhibition open in Bloomhq until end of July.

From Pakistan to Laois – Javeria finds ‘spiritual’ home in return to art - News - Laois Nationalist

Some members in the Cuisle Centre ❤️Thanks for organising this event!
12/07/2026

Some members in the Cuisle Centre ❤️
Thanks for organising this event!

🤗Some of our members enjoying themselves this week at An Grahan 🤗
11/07/2026

🤗Some of our members enjoying themselves this week at An Grahan 🤗

Address

Kilbreedy
Rathdowney

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Laois Federation ICA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Laois Federation ICA:

Shortcuts

Share