I told my daughter Julie that my friend Siobhán had offered to drive me to An Grianán in Co Louth – five hours of travel from my home in Co Cork. I had been invited by the president of the Irish Country Women’s Association, Mary D’Arcy, to be part of a panel on the celebration and empowerment of women.

“What did you say, Mum?” Sheepishly, I told Julie that I’d said no. Well, I got a little lecture. “Mum, why won’t you allow your friends to help you? Siobhán wouldn’t offer unless she meant it.” I rang Siobhan. “A girls’ weekend! We’re off,” was her immediate response. My gratitude to her was like a warm glow spreading through me.

We set off for An Grianán in Termonfeckin, Co Louth on Friday at lunchtime. We chatted all the way. I had a few sleeps.

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Drogheda was hard to negotiate in the rain and heavy traffic. I, as navigator made a mistake on a right turn. We should have crossed the river. Mrs Google announced she was re-routing and confidently took us about 5km out the road and then to take a right turn.

The next direction drew a stifled scream from us both. Take the fourth exit on the roundabout. In other words, back the way we came. Five hours later, we pulled into An Grianán, late and exhausted.

Women and friendship

Inside, Dolores on the front desk welcomed us and sent us to the dining room. The hum of women talking was music to our ears. We were hungry and very glad of our dinner.

Afterwards, we made our way to our comfortable room. By the time we got downstairs, the ladies had finished their poetry readings and enjoyed a musical evening with a quiet drink.

The ICA was founded in 1910 by Wexford woman, Anita Lett. The current president, Mary D’Arcy, is also a Wexford woman. The theme of celebrating and empowering women is important to Mary.

She wants to re-invigorate women in the ICA to step up and take on leadership roles in their local and regional guilds. The ICA has around 6,000 members in over 440 guilds around the country. The country in the name refers to Ireland as opposed to rural-based. Many of the biggest ICA guilds are urban based.

The next direction drew a stifled scream from us both. Take the fourth exit on the roundabout. In other words, back the way we came

The ethos of the ICA is built on friendship, the co-operative effort and bringing women together to improve their lives and communities through education. The magnificent stately home that is An Grianán, was purchased by the WK Kellogg Foundation of America and gifted to the ICA in 1954 as an educational and residential college.

A multitude of courses are carried out there throughout the year. Mary, the president, was anxious that her organisation would get renewed enthusiasm from the annual forum.

Interesting speakers

There was a multitude of interesting speakers from various backgrounds including academic, political and those with life experiences to share.

Topics included local history, successful integration of immigrants, dealing with adversity and challenges, advocacy on behalf of women, and the safety of women including the freedom from coercive control.

Mairéad Phelan, the national treasurer of ICA, addressed us. Mairéad is a chartered engineer and head of the National Building Control and Market Surveillance Office. Her talk illustrated that many of the best people come from within our own organisations. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP South encouraged women to participate.

Alice Doyle, deputy president of the IFA urged women to put themselves forward as she dashed to Wexford for a meeting on the bluetongue outbreak.

Believe you can make a difference and you will.