Beyond day-trips and jam

FOR MANY PEOPLE, the Irish Countrywomen's Association conjures up images of delicious home-made jam, perfectly risen hand sponge cakes and exquisite crafts.

It is an ideal picture of country living, replete with the traditional values of homemaking and involvement with the local community - and it was reasonably accurate when the ICA was formed more than 80 years ago to improve women's lives in rural Ireland.

But things have changed. There are fewer women working full-time in the home, and the lifestyles of those going out to work leave little time for engaging in what might be considered the traditional homemaking tasks. There is also far more competition for potential ICA members from the many other women's groups that now exist.

Sallins, Co Kildare-based presidential candidate and current national treasurer of the ICA, Nellie Dillon, is candid in her assessment of the problems these factors present for the ICA. "The changing times have had a big impact on our organisation, because the sort of needs women had which were met by the ICA are no longer there," she says.

"We are losing existing members and having difficulty in attracting new blood to the organisation. This is something we are going to have to get to grips with quickly. We also have a problem with perception. Too many people see the ICA as Just a tweedy set serving tea and buns," she says.

Nellie Dillon's views are shared by Mary C. O'Reilly from Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. "I don't think people realise how much we've changed over the years, and that we have moved on from the emphasis on the `country crafts' way of life," she says. "We are now deeply involved with social issues and make numerous submissions and recommendations to Government and other organisations on a variety of topics.

"But we do have a problem with our public image and there is a perception that we have a disproportionately older membership. In fact, 50 per cent of our 18,000 members are aged under 50," she says.

"The ICA has done tremendous work down through the years, and I think it would be very sad if we were sidelined now," says Eva Coyle from Raphoe, Co Donegal. "We have built a reputation under successive presidents as a powerful lobby group, and I believe we have to build on this to highlight important economic, health and social issues at national level - while also becoming more involved in local development.

ATTRACTING members is a problem. I think we have to encourage as much activity as possible within the guilds by offering members interesting and enjoyable events in which to participate. Raphoe celebrated its 40th birthday in 1996, and though our guild is small it is very active," Coyle says.

"I think it would be untrue to say that there is no role for the ICA in modern society," says Eithne Condon from Carlow. "I think women and children still need to be supported - probably more than ever given the level of marriage break-ups - and I think the ICA has a part to play in making women stronger and more confident about their lives.

"Five years ago we introduced a counselling service for our members, which has been very successful, and the expansion of this excellent service is a top priority for me.

I would also hate us to forget about our traditional craft skills in the rush to be part of so-called modern society. I believe they are part of our culture and there are many young people interested in learning about them. The ICA has an enormous reservoir of talent in this regard," she says.

All four candidates have served in senior positions within the ICA and their local communities. Eithne Condon is the elected member for Leinster and a member of the procedure and resolutions committee and the horticultural board of the ICA. She also presented Home Truths on CKR Radio and has been the community representative on the county enterprise board. She was area manager for the Community Games for 10 years.

Eva Coyle has been chairperson of the Donegal Local Development Company for 10 years. Within the ICA she is a former Ulster vise-president and chairperson of the committee on educational and cultural affairs. She has also chaired the board of the ICA's adult education college at An Grianan.

Nellie Dillon holds a qualification in business management from Maynooth College and she is currently national treasurer of the association She joined the Kill guild of the ICA in 1974 and has since held most offices at guild and federation level.

Mary C O'Reilly is an architect and former national treasurer of the ICA. She was also the chairman of the arts committee of the association and she has just retired as the chairperson of her local gardening society. She is also a former board member of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland.