WELCOME to the COUNCIL of IRISH COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS LONDON
céad míle fáilte
Comhairle na gCumann contaetha na hÉireann - Londain
“Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit! 2023”
Dear Friends, Colleagues & County Associations,
We wish to take this opportunity to extend our sincerest thanks to you all, Walking Groups & Floats for your magnificent participation in the Annual London St Patrick’s Day Parade 2022. Thankfully, we were very fortunate with the weather holding out favourably as the Parade made its way through the centre of London, and all our participating Associations displayed their colours with pride & enthusiasm & our sincere thanks to all involved for their participation & support.
With the St Patrick’s Celebrations continuing throughout London at various venues during the week, we are pleased to inform you that the Council of Irish County Associations London will honour the feast of St Patrick in co-operation with Fr Terry Murray P.P.
In the celebration of Mass at the Sacred Heart Church, Quex Road, Kilburn, London, NW6 4LS on Friday morning 17 March 2023, commencing at 10 am and all members & friends are welcome. The Council will have a full colour party in attendance at the service complete with our 32 County Flags & for those unable to attend you can view the service live on: CHURCH SERVICES TV
The March Council Meeting of the C.I.C.A. will take place on Tuesday evening 21 March 2023 in the Presidential Suite, London Irish Centre, Camden, commencing at 8 pm..
Agenda for the Meeting:
1.Chairperson’s Welcome.
2.Apologies & Condolences.
3.Minutes of Previous Council Meeting & Matters Arising.
4.Correspondence.
5.Treasurer’s Report.
6.St Patrick’s Parade & Festival 2023 Feedback.
7.CICA 500 Club Draw & Affiliation Update.
8.Any Other Business.
Just a gentle reminder to all our County Associations that the Annual Affiliation Fee for 2023/24 is now due cost £30 and your support and cooperation on this matter is truly appreciated.
It is anticipated to commence the 2023 CICA 500 Club Draw in the near future and we appeal to all wishing to participate in our draw to forward your entries and respective fees for same by contacting:
Hon Treasurer, Tess McGuire: tessmcguire@hotmail.co.uk
Assistant Secretary Michael Kearney: michaelkearney10@yahoo.com
We wish to extend to all our dear members & friends every good wish for a truly Happy & memorable St Patrick’s celebration & also wish our Irish representatives on the Track in Cheltenham at the Racing Festival and our talented and amazing Ireland Rugby team.
Slán go fóill
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary,
CICA London,
Tel: 07956 855957.
Email: johnglimerick@gmail.com.
COME ON YOU BHOYS IN GREEN!
Aviva Stadium, Dublin: Ireland v England 5pm - Don't Miss!
Cian Healy insists Johnny Sexton’s presence means there is no prospect of complacency infecting the Ireland squad as they approach Saturday’s Grand Slam contest with wounded England in Dublin. Keep up to date with all the latest news from the Irish camp:
IRISH RUGBY
COUNCIL MEETING – Thursday 23 Febrary 2023
Dear Friends & Colleagues,
the Annual General Meeting of the Council of Irish County Associations London will take place on Thursday 23 February 2023 in the Presidential Suite, London Irish Centre, Camden at 8.00pm.
All affiliated County Associations are invited to have a total of 4 Delegates per County and Registration will commence at 7.30pm prior to the commencement of the Meeting .
Just a gentle reminder to all County Associations that the Annual Affiliation Fee for 2023/24 of £30.00 is now due & can be paid on the night. Registrations for the 500 Club 2023 are now welcome and all participants are invited to bring their membership cards for the future draws along with the respective remittances on the night.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation and we look forward to your attendance.
Yours Sincerely,
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary CICA London.
Mobile: 07956 855957
GIG: Johnny Gallagher Unplugged
Johnny Gallagher is somewhat of a legend and will be performing a rare solo acoustic gig on Thursday 17th November in London.
Lead singer and guitarist of the Boxtie Band and widely acknowledged as one of the finest Irish guitar players touring the European circuit. Working his way through Festivals, Clubs & Venues all over the Continent, his show with the Boxtie Band is a powerful “Over-driven” Rock’n Roll show, featuring his own original material with stunning personal versions of selected classics.
Johnny’s charisma creates excitement on stage with his much sought after “larger than life” presence. He can change from full on aggressive rock to quieter moments of more tender, introspective music and through his set he shows his wizardry on both electric and acoustic guitars. His guitar playing covers a unique range of Rock styles and Country pickin, with which he can naturally and masterfully turn himself into a true Blues man. To top it all, Johnny possesses a truly unique and expressive voice which showcases his songs with the dynamics to swoop from a scream to a whisper.
Together with the Boxtie Band, he has supported many wonderful Blues musicians, including Buddy Guy, Johnny Winters, Robert Cray, Chris Spedding, Albert Lee and many more. The band also opened up for Deep Purple in Monaco.
He has been steeped in music since childhood with his father and uncle in a band and his mother writing songs in her spare time. His first gig was as a drummer aged 9 in a local brass band in Bundoran, Donegal County. When he was 12 he joined his father’s band with which he even toured the USA. Deeply in love with classical music he learned to play violin and cello as well as mandolin and banjo, long before becoming the recognized wizard of the acoustic and electric guitar (and bass) of today. His natural shyness prevented him from singing initially but thankfully he stepped in front of the microphone, where he remains to this day.
The Johnny Gallagher Unplugged gig is a rare opportunity for fans of both Johnny and Blues music to experience an up-close and personal event in the intimate surroundings of the Malt Bar situated in a Victorian railway arch in Bermondsey. With a small capacity of only 55 guests, it’ll be a chance to hang onto every word and note from this talented and passionate performer in close proximity. Johnny said: “The blues is different, its much bigger and deeper, it’s about truth, pain and reality, and no doctor can fix it, the blues is an expression of good and bad in every living man, woman and dog, it’s with us every day, all year round, we carry the blues everywhere we go.”
Johnny is from Bundoran in Donegal County. The gig is at The Malt Bar, Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby St. London SE1 3PA. Bar open: 6-10PM and he’ll be on stage around 7:30 for the first set.
R.I.P. MARY ALLEN (nee AULSBERRY)
13 May 1930 – 2 June 2022
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing our Life President Mrs Mary Allen, a truly dedicated member of CICA London, colleague and dear friend. A native of Kilmeaden, Co.Waterford, Mary emigrated to England in 1948 where she took up employment working with a highly respected family in the West Country before heading to London where she met her late husband Bill, a native of Dunhill, Co.Waterford and married in 1950. Settling in Camden, they reared their family of four children and were active and passionate members of the Irish Community in London.
Her dedication to community saw her involvement in the London Irish Centre, Camden where she was a tireless volunteer along with her late husband and in later years she was a Trustee at the London Irish Centre and also participated in the numerous events held over the time. In recognition of her efforts she was the first person to be made an Honorary Life Member of the London Irish Centre in 2015 and continued to enjoy her time attending the Day Centre and being a truly unique and dynamic character.
Throughout her long and distinguished involvement in the Council of Irish County Associations London, she held the post of Association Secretary and along with family members and dear friends played a pivotal role in the working of the organisation. In more recent years she also held the post of Association President and followed this by being a Life President of the Council. Mary actively participated in a wide range of Irish causes including the London St Patrick’s Day Parade, The Waterford Association London, The London Irish Festival as well as her close connection with the Irish Chaplaincy.
The London Irish Festival was a truly special time for Mary and her dedicated group of tireless friends, volunteers and supporters which allowed the opportunity to bring the true spirit of the Irish Community together with this amazing festival which ran for in excess of 20 years. During that time Mary was the Hon Secretary of the London Irish Festival.
The rewards of these great efforts were outstanding and over the years of the event raised thousands of pounds for deserving causes in London. I was reliably informed through one of my many conversations with her that it proved to be the opportunity to launch the great career of a truly iconic Irish artist and later a dear friend, the legendary Daniel O’Donnell.
In recognition of her efforts, Mary was awarded the Presidential Award in 2014 in Dublin for her contributions by President Michael D. Higgins which gave her great pride & joy to receive this accolade “on behalf of the Irish Community in London.”
Mary always had strong and deep affection for her native County of Waterford, and was always proud to fly the flag for the “Deise” county, whether it be through history, culture, music, sport and community and was a long and active member of the Waterford Association London. Mary held the post of Secretary and along with her late husband and truly dear colleagues did tremendous work fostering and maintaing the links between Waterford and Camden. In recent years one of the great highlights connected with the Association was a project involving prisoners in conjunction with the Irish Chaplaincy where a remarkable tapestry was embroidered and later brought over to Waterford where it is proudly on display to the present time. The Waterford Association also held many great events and did remarkable fundraising. Amongst the benefactors were Bart’s Hospital London, The Whittington Hospital London and the London Irish Centre Camden.
Amongst Mary’s wonderful qualities were her faith, her passion for community, her attention to detail and always appreciative of work that was done well and gave overall benefit to the greater community. Throughout my time and involvement, Mary was direct in her approach, honest, complimentary and if things went a bit lopsided she would certainly be the first to tell you with great intent and sincerity and offer advice and encouragement.
Mary is predeceased by her dear husband Bill Allen & son Bill jr.
Our sincerest and deepest condolences are extended to her daughter’s Maria, Jackie & Anne, as well as her siblings, grandchildren & great grandchildren, relatives, friends, neighbours and her colleagues in the Waterford Association London, London Irish Centre Camden,The Irish Chaplaincy, Camden Council & her friends in Waterford City & County Council.
May her dear soul rest in eternal and gentle peace.
Funeral arrangements to follow in the near future.
Yours Sincerely,
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary,
Council of Irish County Associations London
ST PATRICK’S PARADE Sunday 13 March 2022
Dear Officers, Members & County Colleagues,
I hope that you are all keeping well and enjoyed a truly fantastic celebration of St Patrick at the London Parade 2022. Firstly, our sincere thanks to all who joined us yesterday at the Sacred Heart Church, Quex Road, Kilburn for the St Patrick’s mass which was celebrated with great style and true devotion by Fr Terry Murray PP and concelebrated in the company of Fr Gerry McFlynn from the Irish Chaplaincy. Finally a special word of gratitude to our members & guests who carried the County Flags at the mass.
In keeping with the theme of Ireland, Islington Council, in partnership with the London Irish Centre Camden, has honoured their historic year of having elected their first ever Irish born Mayor Cllr Troy Gallagher with a series of events over the past few weeks to showcase Irish culture & heritage across the Borough of Islington.
Thanking you all for your continued support and cooperation and finally I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the great winners at the Cheltenham Racing Festival & wish our Irish Ruby team every success in the Six Nations.
Yours Sincerely,
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary CICA London.
Mobile: 07956 855957
A WELL ATTENDED AGM 2022
We congratulate our newly elected Officers and Committee Members and thank sincerely our outgoing members for their support and cooperation. Finally our thanks to the London Irish Centre Camden for their cooperation and to members Sally Connolly & Tess McGuire for providing the wonderful soda bread, cakes and cupcakes which were enjoyed by the attendees.
FULL 2022/23 COMMITTEE MEMBERS LISTINGS
Yours sincerely,
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary,
CICA London,
Tel: 07956 855957.
Email: johnglimerick@gmail.com.
BOOK PROMOTION: LOOKING AHEAD with HOPE
BOOK PROMOTION: LOOKING AHEAD with HOPE: Stories of Humanity, wonder and gratitude in a time of uncertainty. By Eddie Gilmore, CEO Irish Chaplaincy UK.
‘The Irish Chaplaincy in London has been a good and faithful friend to many Irish over the years. It’s charism of care has been nurtured by a succession of kindly, prayerful leaders both lay and clerical among them Eddie Gilmore whose very personal memoir gives a flavour of what it means to truly accompany others like Christ through life’s ups and downs.’ – Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland
Looking Ahead with Hope is a collection of short, inter-connected pieces written over a three-year period in which Eddie Gilmore has worked as CEO for the Irish Chaplaincy, a charity which supports Irish people in Britain, including prisoners, Travellers and Seniors. At the heart of Eddie’s book, which weaves together his visits to prisons, care homes and monasteries with travels further afield – pilgrimage on the Camino in Spain, walking retreats in the French Alps, and meetings and events in Ireland – are encounters with a host of characters, which touch and transform and which reveal our deep connections with one another. These are stories of wonder, reflections on faith and on the human condition, with a frequent refrain of gratitude, and of hope.
Eddie Gilmore has been CEO of the Irish Chaplaincy since 2017, before which he was a member of L’Arche for 28 years. He writes regularly for a number of publications including Catholic Times, Intercom (the journal of the Irish Catholic Bishops), and Independent Catholic News.
VOICES FROM IRELAND
THE FLOWERS ARE PERFECT IN THE GARDEN
In The Flowers Are Perfect in The Garden by Lucy Caldwell, a man spends his final days in a hospice surrounded by his wife and once estranged children, who have travelled far and wide to be by his bedside at this time. It is full of laughter and tears as memories often are and it is a chance for them to re-connect and re-charge the loving bond that had been lost for a time. They are able to come together as a family and as a result in the death of their father there is a birth of a family once more.
LISTEN NOW (44 minutes)
ENJOY THE SOUNDS OF HOME
Broadcasting live from Monday to Friday between 1.00pm – 3.00pm and on Saturdays & Sundays between 11.00am – 1.00pm. The dailly radio shows have been featuring The CICA London County Groups & friends, in a very informative, entertaining and inclusive way. These will continue on a regular format.
IRISH PASSPORT IS ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD
The Irish passport is one of the most powerful in the world, granting entry to 186 nations without the need for a visa. A new study conducted by Henley Passport Index (HPI) found that the Irish passport is the sixth-most powerful in the world, ranking above the United States and the United Kingdom, who can gain entry to 185 countries without a visa.
‘I am very proud to be patron of The London Irish Centre. The LIC does amazing work across London, and right now, they need our support. As it’s not possible to run our usual fundraising events, I’m thrilled that our friends and supporters are joining us for a little online fundraising adventure!’
– Dermot O’Leary, London Irish Centre Patron
