Discover more about the History of The Federation of Women’s Institutes in Northern Ireland
Our History
From her previous experience of the Women’s Institute in England Miss Dorothea McCausland* recognised the benefits the organisation could offer the rural women of Northern Ireland for whom, at that time, there was very little in the way of fellowship or training. Through her endeavours Miss Macausland* opened the first Institute in Garvagh, County Londonderry in 1932 with a second Institute following shortly afterwards in Newcastle, Co. Down. She then gave her services as a voluntary organiser, travelling to all parts of the country to encourage and assist in the formation of other Institutes.
Her enthusiasm, tireless work and perseverance paid off and a significant number of Institutes came into being in the 1930’s.
*In 2020 the Ulster History Circle unveiled a “blue plaque” at St. Paul’s church in Garvagh to commemorate Dorothea Macausland
Until 1942 the main source of income of the WI came from the Carnegie Trust and the Ministry of Agriculture in the form of grants. As grants were discontinued a General Purposes Committee was set up in 1944 to deal with financial matters. Over the years contributions from the Institutes have formed a large part of Federation income, and when combined with fundraising efforts contribute towards the Federation’s running costs.
As time passed it was recognised that the Federation needed a settled headquarters and the decision was taken to purchase property at 209-211 Upper Lisburn Road, Belfast. This decision received the wholehearted support of all the members and so, on 18 September 1978, office staff moved into what is now known as Federation House. After some renovation and furnishing the official opening ceremony was performed by Her Grace the Dowager duch*ess of Abercorn DCVO on 2nd November 1978.
Over the years Federation Sub-Committees have worked to further the aims of WI with drama and homecraft being two of the earliest activities.
As early as 1935 a newsheet was printed. This later developed into the Ulster Countrywoman, which has always been recognised as a very valuable means of communication throughout the Federation. A Magazine Editor was appointed and the Magazine has now evolved into a modern and professional publication.
The Magazine and Leisure Sub-Committee works with the Editor helping to provide oversight and input into Magazine content and also organizes Federation-wide competitions in leisure activities such as golf, bowls and table quizzes and also scrap-books, creative writing, poetry and photography.
The Arts Sub-Committee has not only been responsible for drama but also music, public speaking, calligraphy, good handwriting and painting. Through one-day schools, many members have discovered hidden talents and exhibitions of members’ artwork are always popular..
Among many outstanding events in the history of the Homecraft Sub-Committee was a huge display of craftwork which toured the Province as part of the Federation’s 30th birthday celebrations.
Home and Garden Sub-Committee was formed in 1961. Since then it has stimulated the interest of members in cooking, gardening and floral art.
The International aspect of WI dates back almost to its formation. As a constituent society of ACWW, Northern Ireland delegates have attended many Triennial Conferences and served on Central Office Committees. At Institute level members contribute to Pennies for Friendship and support the various projects most generously. The first recorded International effort was buying a sewing machine at a cost of £87 for Cameroon. Northern Ireland WI can boast that one of its members, Mrs Hilda Stewart OBE is a Past World President of ACWW.
Balmoral Show has always been looked upon as the main public showcase for the WI. Initially a stall where members could send their handicrafts for sale, with the Federation gaining a small commission, WI presence at Balmoral has expanded to a central role with the WI tearoom catering for visitors throughout the duration of the show as well as providing competitions, demonstrations and sales of craftwork and artwork. Homemade goods and produce donated by our members always proves popular and the WI presence at Balmoral has become our premier annual fund-raising event.
In 1954, Baronscourt WI was preparing a scrapbook for an exchange programme with a women’s club in Texas. The symbol used on the cover of the book was of traditional white pillars seen in the Ulster countryside. It is recorded that when the scrapbook was brought to Headquarters, Lady Brookeborough suggested that the pillars and gate should be used as a symbol for a new WI badge.
The ‘anthem’ of WINI A Countrywoman’s Song came about almost by accident. Mrs Mercer, on her travels, found herself reciting “Derry and Antrim and Down” in rhythm with the wheels of the train. She asked Mrs Frizzell, who was an assistant organiser, if she would compose a tune in that rhythm. It is recorded that two afternoons produced the words and the music, the accompaniment of which was checked by the late Mr John Vine.
The Chairman’s Chain of Office was presented to the Federation by Allied Irish Bank. It was first worn by Mrs Nan Douglas at the AGM in 1976. The chain was designed and worked by Mr Michael McCrory, son of a WI member, with emblems to symbolise the Sub-Committees. The shape of the medallion represents an oyster shell with the sun arising and spreading from our symbol – the gate.
Each Institute also has an individual chain of office for the use of their incumbent President. These chains were most often donated by local banks.
In this short history, it is impossible to include all the work, community service and valuable contribution to community relations made by each Institute in its own area.
Dorothea Florence Macausland (1888-1970)
The Life and Times of an Inspirational Woman
Early Life
Dorothea Florence Macausland was born on 31st July 1888 in Murree, India. Her mother was Jane Isabella Macausland and her father was Lieut. Col. R.C.S. Macausland, a judge in the Indian Civil Service. The middle of three children, Dorothea had an older brother who joined the Indian Army and a younger brother who was killed in action in the 1914/1918 war at the age of 19. She lived in India until she was of school age and was then sent to a small boarding school for girls in Kent, England, spending most of her holidays with her brothers at Woodbank House in Garvagh, County Londonderry.
By the time she left school her father had retired and her parents were living in Woodbank House. Dorothea lived with her parents, taking a keen interest in Parish life, teaching in Sunday School, spending a lot of her time with her aunts who lived close by in Woodbank Cottage and cultivating her love of birds, flowers, cooking and sewing. Known affectionately as Thea, she had a happy social life and was presented as a debutante at court in Dublin in 1912. It is thought that this was the last such event to be held there.
World War I
Having inherited a love of nursing from her aunts (one of whom, Edith, established the Cottage Hospital in Coleraine) it was her natural instinct when war broke out in 1914 to join the VAD’s (Voluntary Aid Detachment) through the Red Cross and she was sent to the war office in Plymouth. She left for Alexandria, Egypt, on board a Troopship, which was torpedoed and sank. The only possession Thea could retrieve was her umbrella, which she treasured for the rest of her life.
Post War
At the end of the war Dorothea was offered a Red Cross scholarship to King’s College Hospital, London and trained as a health visitor. Upon qualifying she worked in Northampton until 1923 when she was employed by the Red Cross lecturing on health matters to women’s organisations, including Women’s Institutes. This sparked her interest and she joined the WI, subsequently becoming County Secretary to Warwickshire WI Federation and in 1928 she became Organising Secretary to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes in London until, for personal reasons, she had to return home. In September 1929 she went to care for her uncle who lived in The Lodge in Coleraine (now the Lodge Hotel). Upon his death her uncle left her The Lodge, but as her parents needed care, she let the house and returned to live at Woodbank House.
Whilst at home she maintained her interest in nursing by serving on the Board of Governors for the Coleraine and Portrush Hospitals, eventually being awarded the honour of becoming a Life Governor of the Board. During that time, she recognised the need for something to be done for rural women. Drawing upon her experience in England of Women’s Institutes and with considerable drive and determination she set about establishing the first Women’s Institute.
The First Institute in Northern Ireland
Thea sent her three nieces out on their bicycles to distribute invitations throughout Garvagh and the surrounding district to attend “The Drawing Room Meeting” on 2nd September 1932 at Woodbank House. This aroused much curiosity (and some suspicion) as to what an organisation exclusively for women would entail.
Nigel 067 Woodbank House
Mrs Nugent Harris, MBE, Chief Organiser to the National Federation of Women’s Institute’s in England and Wales had been invited and she addressed the meeting. Another guest was a Mr Laughton who was the Secretary of The Rural Development Council of Northern Ireland. Under the umbrella of the RDC the Women’s Institutes of Northern Ireland became established and remained affiliated to them until The Federation was formed in 1943.
The enthusiasm engendered at that first meeting was so great that within five days, on 7th September 1932, the first public meeting was held in the New Hall, Garvagh. Forty members were recorded as being present at this first meeting and membership had doubled by the end of the first year. Once Garvagh WI had been formed and was progressing Miss Macausland invited Mrs Laura Heenan from Dorset WI to come to Northern Ireland as Organising Secretary for WINI. Miss Macausland was elected the first President of Garvagh WI, a position she held for 5 years.
At the end of the first year the members were so ambitious that they decided to build their own hall. This was paid for with the help of an interest free loan given by Miss Macausland. The ground was a gift from Mr and Mrs William O’Kane. The first meeting was held in the Hall on November 1933, exactly one year after the formation. The building, a wooden structure with a stage and a lean-to cost £316. 4.3d. This debt was cleared within a year. The WI Hall was a great benefit to the local community and was used as a cinema called the Avon Cinema and later taken over by the YMCA for use as a Military Canteen during the war years. It was used to full advantage until 1969 when it was sold to the Co. Londonderry Education Authority as a site for the entrance to the new Primary School.
Miss Macausland went on to give much valuable advice in helping to form other Institutes throughout the Province. She was ably assisted by Mrs William O’Kane the elected Vice President of Garvagh WI. It took great determination and drive to get Institutes started, particularly in persuading the Minister of Education of the great benefit Women’s Institutes would be to rural women, so that permission would be granted to use school premises for meetings. She was insistent that every WI branch should be open to women of all denominations. The Ministry gave no financial support which was a great problem until The Carnegie Trust came to the rescue. Thea had also contacted Lady Brookeborough and received enthusiastic support from her.
Miss Macausland was Federation Chairman for one year 1946-1947 and was made an Honorary Life Member of the Federation in 1950. She loved people and in return was well thought of. She is remembered as a woman of vision and determination, never needing to raise her voice as eloquence was one of her greatest gifts. She passed away in 1970 at the age of 82 and is buried in St. Paul’s Parish Churchyard in Garvagh. In 2020 the Ulster History Circle unveiled a blue plaque in recognition of her achievements at a ceremony at St. Paul’s attended by family members, FWNI representatives, local dignitaries and representatives of the local community.
A beautiful embossed solid silver cup currently valued at £1,500 was presented by Miss Dorothea to Garvagh WI. This trophy is presented annually to the member wining the most points in the monthly competition.
A cutting of an apt old English proverb submitted by Miss D F Macausland is:
Say well, and do well,
End well, or better.
To say well is good, but
To do well is better
These details of Miss Dorothea Florence Macausland‘s life were compiled by the late Mrs. Helen Livingstone, member of Garvagh Women’s Institute and former Federation Chairman, from details given to her by Miss Vivien Macausland , Thea’s niece, and also information taken from the Garvagh Minute Book.
Vivien was one of the 3 nieces whom Dorothea sent out on their bicycles to deliver invitations to the first meeting. She herself was a member of Finaghy WI until she came to live in Garvagh and rejoined Garvagh WI. Vivien was proud to have been her niece and a member of her Women’s Institutes and said we should all members should share in that pride in belonging to the Federation of Women’s Institute in Northern Ireland.
The Macausland Rose bowl, competed for annually, was presented by Vivien to fulfil the wishes of her aunt as they both wanted WI’s to be involved in their local community. The criteria for the competition were set under her wishes.
Joanna Clark, Miss Dorothea’s grandniece, also kindly contributed to facts.
History Timeline
First newsletter published (which later became the Ulster Countrywoman magazine)
Full time organiser appointed
Federation formed
First AGM, presided by the duch*ess of Abercorn
A Countrywoman's Song composed
Executive Committee elected on County basis Song composed
Miss Macausland Honorary Life Membership of Executive Committee
Federation logo/badge designed
First Cookery Book published
Fund set up to purchase Headquarters
Chairmans's chain of office presented by Allied Irish Banks
Federation House purchased
First Handbook published
Working group set up to realign Areas
22 Area Groups in operation
Handbook revised
Extension to Headquarters opened
Hosted ACWW European Area Conference
75th Anniversary
80th Anniversary
Registration with Charity Commission
Handbook revised
Membership survey undertaken
Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque commemorating Dorothea Macausland erected at St Paul’s Church Garvagh
Covid-19 Pandemic & Lockdown
Publication of Membership Survey Report
90th Anniversary
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