Update from AOIFA Chairperson - Mary O'Brien

I hope you are getting an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful sunshine and the benefits it is bringing to our gardens. It is that time of year for club outings. Recently, I visited two amazing gardens with my club. The upper gardens at Lismore Castle were stunning – a mixture of beautifully coloured beds and wild garden planting – a good time to visit. The Japanese Gardens in Tramore, which featured recently on Nationwide, were amazing. I’d advise you to take the guided tour.

Clubs are winding down now for the summer. Bloom and Cork Summer Show were the main attractions in June and it was heartening to see so many enthusiastic organisers, competitors, demonstrators and visitors at both venues. The information Day for trainee Demonstrators on 30th June in Thurles marked the last official event until the autumn when we look forward to a very busy schedule. Plans are well under way for the weekend at An Grianán and the Floral Artist of the Year and Inter-Club competitions which will be staged at St. Bridget’s Hall, Stillorgan and Conna Community Hall on 20th October. Details will go out to individuals and clubs in August.

I hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable summer and I look forward to meeting you all at the various events and especially at the celebratory lunch at the Council meeting in the Radisson Hotel, Cork on 8th November to mark our Sapphire Anniversary.

Mary



Demonstrator's Course Information Day - 30 June 2018
More photos here




Cork Summer Show - detail of Best in Show by Teresa Kenefick
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BLOOM 2018 AOIFA EXHIBIT - CONGRATULATIONS TO COBH FLOWER CLUB ON WINNING SILVER GILT 
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Chairman's Meeting - 17 June 2018 - Radisson Hotel, Little Island, Cork
Pictured (left to right) Mary O'Brien, AOIFA Chairperson, Shane Lehane, Guest Speaker and Candy Holten, AOIFA President 
(See Photographs for more pictures from this event)

 
PRESENTATION OF €54,000 TO THE IRISH ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
These monies were fund raised by AOIFA Flower Clubs around the country over the past two years.
Photo includes AOIFA Executive 2016-18 presenting cheque to Prof. Amanda McCann, President and Dr. Antoinette Perry of the Irish Association for Cancer Research
From left to right Mary O’Brien, Olive Martin, Dolores O’Leary, Josie Callan, Candy Holten, Prof. Amanda Mc Cann, Dr. Antoinette Perry,  Mary Ronayne and Brid Coonan
 
 
AOIFA Floral Artist of the Year and Inter-Club Competitions will be staged at 
St. Bridget’s Hall, Stillorgan and Conna Community Hall on 20th October 2018