Forging new friendships

By Jacqueline Hogge â€Å“The guilds, which can be started with as few as eight members, are often a stepping stone to the setting up of smaller groups, such as book clubs, music groups and art classes. â€Å“The beauty of the ICA is that because it is a national body, it has the structures to support classes with training options that give members the chance to qualify in their chosen craft, which they can then go on to teach.â€Â Josephine believes Tuam is the ideal location for an ICA guild and is hoping that anyone involved with the previous guild in the town, which was last active 15 years ago, might help younger women in the town to start a new guild. â€Å“We would love to be back in Tuam, where thereâ€â„¢s certainly the numbers to support a guild,â€Â she said. â€Å“Areas like Headford, Caherlistrane, Dunmore and Belclare could all support guilds and all that is needed is one core group in each area, from which guilds can flourish in no time at all.â€Â Carmel Garrett is a member of the Knocknacarra guild, which is one of only two based in the city. â€Å“There is something in the ICA for everyone, whether their interest be in art, music, public speaking or just wanting to belong to an organisation that will give them a social outlet and introduce them to new people,â€Â she said. â€Å“Nationally, weâ€â„¢re also at the heart of social debate and only last week the ICA co-hosted the COFACE conference in Dublin where delegates from all around the EU gathered to discuss the issue of vulnerable families. â€Å“Closer to home, weâ€â„¢re hoping to inform Galway women about the work we do and the information stand at the shopping centre this weekend will be a great way to encourage new members to join.â€Â Celebrity chef Edward Hayden will be joining the ICA table at 12 noon to give handy cooking hints and tips on Saturday, while Josephine will be joined by her fellow bootcamp mentor Imelda Byrne, who will offer advice for going â€Ëœback to basicsâ€â„¢.