NEWS & EVENTS
CELEBRATING THE VERY BEST OF IRELAND
The Council of Irish Counties in London (CICA) is an established organisation which has been active since 1954 and is registered at The London Irish Centre, Camden. Over the years, the organisation has had an amazing history of supporting many needy people through its great work.
We are proud to promote Ireland in London and throughout the United Kingdom we are a leading voice representing the 4 Provinces and 32 Counties of Ireland. The formation of the CICA is the affiliated Counties Association, at this time, our mission is to reach out to other counties to form representation groups or by becoming members or friends of our organisation. Through partnerships with community groups, charities and outreach projects, the CICA focuses on working together with other organisations to make a difference in people’s lives. We invite you to come and join our association to develop a strong networking group going forward to make a lasting impact within the community.
Mairead Liston
Chairperson of The Council of Irish Counties London
MARGARET ALDER - RIP
Dear friends and colleagues,
I wish to take this opportunity to inform you of the funeral arrangements for our dear friend and valued member of our Association Mrs Margaret Alder R.I.P. The funeral cortège will arrive at Christ the King Church, Bramley Road, Cockfosters, London N14 4HE for he funeral mass on Thursday 10 August 2023 commencing at 11.00am. This will be followed by a cremation service at New Southgate Crematorium & Cemetery, Brunswick Park Road, Southgate, London N11 1JJ. Afterwards, all friends and family are warmly invited to the Railway Tavern, 3 East Road, New Barnet EN4 8RR where drinks and refreshments will be available from 1.00pm.
For those travelling by public transport, the nearest station to Christ the King Church is Oakwood Station which is located on the Piccadilly Line and is approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the station. Travelling by car, there is adequate parking in the church grounds & vicinity. The Council will provide a Guard of Honour at the Mass & we invite all those attending to allow sufficient time to meet in advance for assembly.
Our sincerest condolences are extended to Margaret’s family, friends and colleagues of the London Tipperary Association,where Margaret served in true dedication as Tipperary Association Secretary for many years undertaking her role with genuine friendliness and professionalism. We also acknowledge the service that Margaret played in her role as a member of the Council of Irish County Associations Executive Committee, where she was very active and greatly respected.
May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.
Yours Sincerely,
John Giltenan
Hon Secretary,
CICA London,
Tel: 07956 855957
Email: johnglimerick@gmail.com
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
Rural Ireland, 1981. A quiet, neglected girl is sent away from her overcrowded, dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. She blossoms in their care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one painful truth. Based on the renowned story Foster by Claire Keegan.
The CICA LONDON gladly promotes the Irish language and culture. A case in point is the award-winning Irish language feature film, An Cailín Ciúin ‘The Quiet Girl’ which will be released in the UK on 13 May 2022.
The film had its world premiere in Berlin in February and won two awards there. It also won the Audience Award and Best Irish Film at the Dublin International Film Festival recently and took home seven IFTAs at the Irish Film and Television awards in March including Best Film, Best Director and Best Lead Actress! It’s being released in Ireland on 12 May 2022. There’s a special preview screening of the film in the Curzon cinema, Bloomsbury, London on Tuesday, 3 May 2022 at 6pm followed by a Q&A with writer/director, Colm Bairéad. This screening is being hosted by Irish actor, Fiona Shaw.
The film is also being screened in the Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith on Sunday, 8 May 2022. It’s the first time an Irish language film has been acquired for a release in the UK and so this is a very exciting opportunity to promote the Irish film industry. The film will be shown in Curzon cinemas and also the Cine Lumiere, London as well as other venues throughout the UK.
R.I.P. MICHAEL SILLS - FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Council wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the late Michael Sills native of County Wexford, who passed away recently. Our deepest condolences to Michael’s family son Damian & Daughter Joanna and their family and we extend our sympathy to the Wexford Association London on their loss of a very dedicated and loyal member of the Association and also Michael played a very prominent role on the Council of Irish County Associations London and his loss will be dearly missed. The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Mass will take place at St Mary Magdalen Church, Peter Avenue, London NW10 2DD on Thursday May 5th at 12.30pm.
There will be a guard of honour performed by members of the Council of Irish County Associations at the church along with other organisations. There will be a collection at the end of the mass for the PSP Association charity. Donations in lieu of flowers please. Following the service all are invited to join the family for refreshments at the Claddagh Ring, 10 Church Road, Hendon, London NW4 4EA.
The body will be repatriated to Ireland for burial in Murrinstown, County Wexford with final details to follow. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Yours sincerely,
John Giltenan,
Hon Secretary C.I.C.A.
Tel: 07956 855957
johnglimerick@gmail.com
R.I.P. MICHAEL SILLS
28th February 1946 – 3rd April 2022
We are sad to share the news of the passing of Michael Sills, a well-known and highly respected member of the CICA & the London Wexford Association.
The London Wexford Association are very saddened to announce the recent passing of well-known popular member and President of the London Wexford Association Michael Sills. Michael was 76 years of age a native of Murrintown Co Wexford resided in Willesden, London. He was the son of the late Robert and Anne Sills and brother to Anita and Patrick and their late brother Victor. Michael was proceeded by his late wife Bridget. Michael travelled to London at the age of 22 and worked in the cosmetic industry. In 1972 Michael married his wife Bridget in St Mary Magadline Church in Willesden, London and had two children Damian and Joanna and had two granchildren Lauren and Malachy.
Michael was a kind, caring considerate gentleman, a great character and always appeared happy and had a great sense of humour. He was a hardworking man who set himself high standards and was always guaranteed to get a job done which gave him great satisfaction. He gave his time and commitments to many Irish organisations throughout his life. Michael first joined the London Wexford Association in 1969 taking up the role of Registrar. Years later he became Treasurer and then served many years as Chairman to lead the association to great success. He would give his time and support to other committees, such as The Fr Murphy Youth Club and was an avid member of Fr Murphy Hurling Club, The London Irish Festival, The London Irish Centre, The Council of Irish Counties Association and the Gladstone Park Allotment Association.
Michael was easy to get along with and always had a good word for everyone. Michael also had a serious side to him and did not suffer fools easily. People would have called on Michael for advice as he had a vast range of knowledge and experience of various topics. He was always game for a laugh and would have pulled a few tricks in his time, although his light-hearted humour never caused any upset or offence. Michael loved to spend time working on his allotment and would have produced a few spuds and cabbages in his time and would share them amongst family and friends. Many a story would have been told at the tea shed in the allotment amongst his friends and fellow gardeners.
In 1983 Michael was one of the founders of The Wexford Darts League which is still going strong. Michael’s great love in life was for his family and friends, music and sport. He had a fond love for Country music which he would listen to on a daily basis on South East Radio and ICMR Radio. Michael loved the challenge of the quiz nights and had a tremendous passion for the GAA. He enjoyed watching or listening to the hurling and football and rugby games and would always look forward to hearing the results.
Michael was a modest man and picked up a few awards in his time The Wexford Person of the year award and Achievement award in Wexford to name but a few. Unfortunately, in the last few years of his life Michael suffered ill health with Super Nuclear Palsy which left him wheelchair bound, but he still fought on courageously.
Michael will be sorely missed by his family and large circle of friends, as he had made such a positive impact on many people’s lives. London Wexford Association Chairperson Lucia Butler says “Michael was a very sincere loyal honest gentleman who worked extremely hard for the benefit of the association. He never forgot his roots a proud Wexford man. We are all very grateful and will continue to build and promote the association to ensure its continued success”
We would like to express our sincere condolences to his son Damian and his partner Anna and his daughter Joanna his sister Anita and brother Patrick and his grandchildren Lauren and Malachy and all his family and friends.
May his gentle soul Rest In eternal Peace.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
VOICES OF IRELAND IMELDA MAY
Introducing a new programme that airs on SKY ARTS and NOW TV giving voice to Irish talent. It is a real homage to Ireland presented by Imelda May on her journey through Ireland as she visits the counties & places and hears music & poetry from the past and present. You can watch from 14 December 2021 and on catch up. A two-part series for Sky Arts with Imelda May see attached press release. It is being broadcast on the 14 of December and programme two is the 21st of December 2021. Dont miss it!
Voices of Ireland is a voyage of discovery exploring Ireland’s most renowned literary legends – Joyce, Wilde, Beckett and the like – through the lenses of the places and spaces in Ireland that influenced their work.
Over the course of two hours, we will be in the company of these legends as we re-imagine their best-loved pieces for new audiences. Taking the form of a literary travelogue, the programme takes viewers on a whistle-stop tour of Ireland’s rich cultural tapestry and awe-inspiring scenery. Dramatic renditions of classic poetry and prose are fused with contemporary spoken word, music and specially commissioned pieces that reflect contemporary society in Ireland.
As well as traditional media like music, song, prose and poetry, we also commissioned giant sand-art sculptures and 3D animations, all coming together under the guise of Voices of Ireland. Colm Mac Con Iomaire composed the wonderful musical score. We introduce some new compositions from Stephen James Smith, a young group Banyah who recreated a George Bernard Shaw poem. And so much more. (From 14 December 2021)
Red Shoe Productions
Here are some tasters of what to expect:
PROMOTING THE VERY BEST OF IRELAND
If there is one day that epitomizes the spirit and purpose of CICA London, then it has to be St Patrick’s Parade Day through the streets of London. We help organize and direct a fabulous carnival occasion. A wonderful pageant of colour and culture that exudes pride, passion and a whole lot of fun! It is a day that London turns the colours Irish.
Behind the scenes, is a year’s worth of hard work, organization and preparation. We thank from our hearts, all the endeavour and hard work of volunteers and the representations of each individual county of Ireland that participates in the parade and of the thousands of spectators whom flock to the carnival.
And 2019 was especially celebrated in terms of numbers who participated in the procession and those who flooded the streets of London to view the spectacle. And we must pay a warm mention to the ‘non-Irish’ participants who joined in the celebrations, particularly from the Latino – South Americas who provided such a rich display of colour, ethnicity and vibrant dance moves.
To capture a taste of the occasion, take a look at the many photos in our GALLERY.
