Welcome
National Competitions & Social Weekend 2019
CLICK ON PICTURE ABOVE FOR PHOTOS AND RESULTS
12th-14th April 2019
"Where Wonder Blooms"
Acton's Hotel
Kinsale
Co. Cork
National Flower Festival 2019
27th-29th September 2019
Splendour in Flowers and Stone
St. Colman's Cathedral
Cobh
Co. Cork
CATHEDRAL VIEWING Sunday, 3rd March
On behalf of the Executive Mary would like to thank all those who travelled to Cobh for the viewing today. The interest shown is most encouraging.
Those who travelled from Dublin, Trim, Naas, Wicklow and Tralee encountered snow on the way home - such is the commitment of our AOIFA members. Hopefully the weather will be kinder on 23rd March for our next viewing.
Thanks also to the members of the Cobh Club who baked such a variety of confectionery and who provided a warm welcome for our visitors in the Parish Centre.
The Association of Irish Floral Artists (AOIFA), which was founded in 1973, is the official organisation of affiliated Floral Art Groups and Flower and Garden Clubs in Ireland.
Congratulations Beverly! Bronze at Canada Blooms
Congratulations to Beverly Buttimer of Clonakilty Flower and Garden Club, current runner-up to the AOIFA Floral Artist of the Year who represented AOIFA at Canada Blooms 2019 and gained a Bronze medal for her wonderful, vibrant exhibit.
Letter from Chairperson
Spring has sprung! It is heartening to see the flowers appear and the noticeable brightness in the evenings.
Time is flying by and we will soon be in Kinsale for our National Competitions and Social Weekend. It promises to be a very interesting and enjoyable few days. There is a varied programme to cater for all tastes. It includes a Demonstration entitled “A Smile as Sweet as Spring” on Saturday night, by Christine Hughes. Tickets will be available at the AGM. Raffle co-ordinator, Eileen O’Brien, has worked her magic and has secured all the prizes for the raffle and discounts in the local shops.
The Demonstrators Course has finished and we wish the candidates the best of luck as they prepare for their exams in May.
The Floral Art classes are proving to be very popular. Venues are in Cork, Naas, Sligo and Thurles. Such was the demand in the Cork area that we are providing two centres.
Our good wishes go to Beverley Buttimer from Clonakilty Flower Club as she represents AOIFA at Canada Blooms.
Plans are well underway for the Flower Festival, “Splendour in Flowers and Stone,” in Cobh Cathedral in September. We will be having the usual stalls – plants, crafts, floral art recyclables and home produce. Now is the time to start gathering in and planting up! Clubs might consider a visit to the Festival which could be combined with a visit to Fota Gardens.
It has been a sad time recently as we have lost two AOIFA stalwarts. Maureen O’Keeffe, The Lough, Cork and Ita Cox, Wexford. May they rest in peace.
I look forward to welcoming you all to the AGM on Thursday 21st March in the Radisson Hotel. After lunch we will be treated to a demonstration “It’s a Kind of Magic” by Joan Lockhart NIGFAS.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for the way in which you contribute, either at club or at national level, to make AOIFA the successful and vibrant organisation that it is. I look forward to meeting you soon.
With all good wishes,
Mary