Ballyconnell I.C.A is a guild of the carlow federation. Embracing and Welcoming All Women –Membership average 22-26 members.
A Club which includes Arts, Crafts, Fun, Friendship, Music, Discussion, Debate, Literature, Excursions, Exercise, Education, Cooking etc.; who welcome All Women from age 16 to infinity and beyond.
The future of our communities depends on organisations like Ballyconnell ICA.
This Cover Photo/Wall-hanging was designed and created by the members to represent the Guild Activities under the guidance of Mary Kenny and Ann Whelan Arts and Crafts Coordinators respectively; it is a collaboration of creativity among all the members, to depict the activities and abilities of all the women in the guild; hours of discussion, design, crafting and fun… It is a bright, happy, colourful, piece of artwork which is both abstract and modern; an assortment of painting, sketches, beading, sewing, crafts, collage, using, upcycled, recycled, modern materials and methods i.e. a sincere illustration on canvas of our Ballyconnell ICA Guild.
Snapshot of Activities 2013-2014;
Because our members consist of a combination of sisters, grandmothers, aunts, mothers (babies, teenagers, kippers) nieces etc. of all ages, professions/ work-life areas, countries and counties our activities are many and varied. As a guild conscious of the fast changing needs of women in society our activities have evolved over the years to suit the members while espousing the values that are core to the Irish Countrywomen’s Association; which include fellowship, support, friendship and meeting new friends from other guilds..

Excursions included a trip to the European Parliament in Brussels, led by ICA boot camp leader Imelda Byrne, a Summer Evening picnic on the ancient Ring of the Rath, barbecues; garden visits to Burtown House, Hardymount Gardens, Russborough House, Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens, Terri Smith Garden, Altamont Gardens Photographic Day and Carmel Dawson’s Garden Party; Golf outings to Coolattin and ICA Seapoint Golf Links Competition in Termonfeckin; a trip to “Warhorse” at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre;
Educational activities included An Grianán visits to partake in Crafts, Cookery and Wellbeing classes; Beading/jewellery classes given by Mary Timmins, Craft Classes by Ann Edwards, Art Classes by Jacinta Crowley-Long, Autumn classes will include IT. Book club; a critical review of the social hierarchies as depicted in   Kathryn Stockett’s  book “The Help, “and a film evening was also part of the calendar (we are now reading "My Sisters Keeper" by Jodi Picoult) Table quizzes, debating, chi gong, yoga, short story writing, hat making and choir/music also form part of our activities.
Enterprise & Equality promotional activities included car-boot sales, knitting/crafts for charities e.g.  An Féileachan, sewing machines for women’s groups in developing countries, encouraging women in business including talks from women business owners e.g. Chocolate Garden, Kiwi Dental, Orla Walsh Opticians, The Health Store Carlow, Sue Phillips Psychotherapy, Bernie Campbell interior designer etc.; also the guild contributed to the ICA books on cookery & crafts, Go for Life and Mental Health Activities,