Page 12 - IFAFA ebook v4

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Irene McMahon

I attended the meetings in New York convened by Bernadette

Hamill and on my return from our posting in January 1980, I

agreed to accept the challenge of setting up the organisation in

Dublin. It was a daunting task! Luckily I was not alone as Mary

Burke and Helen Grey were also based in Dublin at that time. We

decided to call a meeting of all Dublin based spouses in Buswells

Hotel in April 1980. Communications were not as developed as

today. Snail mail was the order of the day!!

It was impossible to anticipate what, if any would be the response.

Happily, there was a very big turnout for our first meeting and a

very lively discussion took place.

The main challenges facing all of us in the room that night related

to the fact that working for the Department of Foreign Affairs is a

unique experience. Families as well as officers are intimately

involved in the process in terms of moving house, children, and

spouses every 3 to 4 years. Timing or length of posting was not as

clearly defined as today. This had major implications for the

education of our children. The issues and challenges focused upon

that night and in subsequent years related to education, health

issues when abroad, planned postings and of course the social and
emotional effect of moving. The effect on spouses’ careers was also a

consideration as it still is! Following that meeting it was agreed

there was a need for an association and there was agreement to set

up the association in Dublin. A committee to steer this was set up.

Maura Neligan became the first chairperson of the group and the

task of the group began. It was apparent from the mood of the

meeting that members were very happy to meet other spouses who

were experiencing the same difficulties and stresses of diplomatic

life as well as the excitement of travelling and experiencing life in
other countries.

On a personal level the friendships I have made through the years

as a member of IFAFA have been an enormous support to me as I

negotiated the trials, tribulations and joys of diplomatic life. These

are life-long friendships. The magazine of the association was a

great way to gather information and to keep in touch with members

at home and abroad. It was always enlightening to hear of life in

other postings and of course, if one was posted to a country it was

easy to establish contact with a member who was already there and

could provide lots of information, insights and advice.

I salute all members through the years who have helped to progress

the Association. I particularly salute Bernadette who had the

foresight to see the need for the Association and who had the

energy to progress it beyond just talk.

Now in retirement it is heartening to see the energy, which is still

driving the Association. Long may it continue to face the challenges

of this very unique and rewarding way of life.
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