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AOIFA Summer Day School 2024
AOIFA held another very successful Summer Day School in Solas Bhride, Kildare on 13th July.
Tutors for the day were Margaret Quinn and Karen Robinson. Participants from clubs around the country were treated to a morning of leaf manipulation by Margaret and in the afternoon, instruction on a contemporary exhibit by Karen.
It was a fun and informative day and was enjoyed by all who attended. Photos below.
Tutor Margaret
Margaret's exhibit showcasing manipulated plant material
Margarte's exhibit using manipulated plant material
Participants d.eep in concentration
Tutor Karen
Karen's demonstrated exhibits
Participants exhibits
Participants exhibits
AOIFA Social Weekend and National Competitions 2024
Return of Perputal trophies
Were you awarded a trophy at the National Competitions two years ago?
If so, its time to return it to Karen O'Farrell at the AOIFA Chairperson's meeting in Portlaoise on 23rd May or at the National Flower Festival in Dundrum 28th to 30th June 2024.
'AOIFA' at Bloom 2024
This year's AOIFA Exhibit was staged by the AOIFA - Bloom Committee. The title of the exhibit was 'Nature in Vogue' and featured 'AOIFA' the mannequin dressed to impress surrounded by her floral accessories. While the exhibit was not judged, it was the focus on many admiring comments.
Our photograph shows the AOIFA - Bloom Committee L to R: Diane Gallagher, Christine Hughes (AOIFA President), Margaret Quinn, Brenda Joyce and Sharon O'Sullivan. Absent: Candy Holten .
AOIFA AGM 2024 - Portlaoise
AOIFA Executive 2024, Vice Chairman Siobhan McInerney, Secretary Sharon O'Sullivan, Chairman Ann Clifford, Treasurer Julie Tracy, President Christine Hughes
Full house at the AOIFA AGM.
More photos under 'Gallery'
Tracey Griffin NAFAS, presented her demonstration 'Not Your Usual Flower Fix' at the AOIFA AGM in Portlaoise recently.
Her use of various flowers and other plant material was a delight and an inspiration to all who attended.
Detail of some of Tracey's exhibits.
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.
AOIFA Council Meeting 2023 - see 'Gallery' for more photos
Margaret Ahern A.O.I.F.A. Demonstrator, shared several golden memories in her superb seasonal Gala demonstration titled 'Nostalgic Golden Memories of Christmas Past' following the Council Meeting.
Her opening exhibit was a heartfelt tribute to recently deceased past AOIFA President Una Fleming and was similar in design to one of the exhibits demonstrated by Una at the 11th WAFA World Show in Dublin in 2014.
More photos of Margaret's exhibits and of the Council Meeting are available under the 'Gallery' tab.
'Aspiring to Inspire' at An Grianán
A wonderfully inspiring and creative weekend of fun, friendship and all things floral was held on the weekend of Friday 29th September to Sunday 1st October 2023 in An Grianán.
A teaching demonstration by James Burnside wowed all who attended on Friday evening. Supplementary exhibits were provided by Eva Holmes (in her absence). A sample of the exhibits are presented below. Full album from the evening is available under the 'Gallery' tab above.
James Burnside
Eva Holmes
Dedication of the Very Rev William McMillan Memorial Garden
Elizabeth Murray, Ann Clifford and Christine Hughes at the unveiling of the memorial garden for Rev McMillan in Dunmurry , Co Antrim, on Saturday 10 June 2023.
Sculpture created by Tim Mulchinock and his son.
Congratulations to NIGFAS on their Golden Anniversary.
Christine Hughes, Ann Clifford and Elizabeth Murray had great pleasure in attending their celebrations on Saturday 10 June 2023 in Templepatrick.
AGM 2023
Cherie Nummy, NAFAS National Demonstrator and a member of NIGFAS wowed us with her demonstration titled "One for the Money" at our AOIFA AGM on 9 March. Photos from the meeting and demonstration can be found here
AOIFA Council Meeting 2022
Eleven new AOIFA Judges were presented with their Certificates and Badges at the Council Meeting on Thursday 3 November 2022. Pictured are the new Judges with the Judges Committee and Course Advisors.
New Vice-Chair Announced
Siobhan McInerney of Charleville Flower and Garden Club was introduced as the incoming Vice Chairperson. Siobhan will join the incoming AOIFA Executive in March 2023
Pictured left to right: Ann Clifford, Current AOIFA Vice-Chairperson, Siobhan McInerney, Incoming Vice-Chairperson, Christine Hughes, Current AOIFA Chairperson
Gold Award for AOIFA at Bloom 2022
Sutton Floral Art Group created the superb AOIFA exhibit for Bloom 2022 which was awarded a Gold Medal.
Pictured Left to Right: Karen O'Farrell, Sutton Floral Art Group, Diane Gallagher AOIFA @Bloom Coordinator, Sharon O'Sullivan, Sutton Floral Art Group
Ali Dietrich wowed the audience with her delightful demonstration "The Nutcracker". Click for photos.
AOIFA National Competitions 2022
was held at the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway. Photos of the creative work of our competitors including the Floral Artist of the Year and the Inter-club competitions can be viewed here
WAFA News
The Australian Floral Art Association will host WAFA from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2027.
The WAFA seminar will be held in 2025 and the WAFA World Show in 2027.
Official site for information: www.wafa-australia.org
The WAFA Seminar "A Unique Tapestry “ will take place from the 20th to the 31st August 2025 in Western Australia. Places are based on each country’s membership and Ireland has been allocated 4 places. The cost will be Approx $6000 AUS not including flights. Similar to previous WAFA Seminars, numbers will be limited; cost will be all inclusive (accommodation, meals and transport between venues). Flights to Western Australia are not included. If you are interested, email Christine Hughes for inclusion on the list. Christineb.hughes@gmail.com before 24th August 2024. If more than 4 applications are received, names will be chosen by way of a ballot.
A link to the Seminar Schedule is available HERE
AOIFA at WAFA Oman
AOIFA was proud to have two representatives demonstrating on the international stage at WAFA Oman recently.
Past AOIFA President and WAFA Chairman Kitty Gallagher wowed the audience with her interpretation of Period Floral Art while AOIFA Chairman Ann Clifford regaled the audience with interesting stories of Ireland.
Well done and congratulations ladies.
WAFA Board Meets in Tokyo
Kitty Gallagher Ireland, WAFA Chairman, with members of the WAFA Board in Tokyo.
Kilkenny Flower Club
Autumn 2022
As our season begins to change, the glorious colours of autumn are with us.
We reflect on what a lovely summer we have had. The highlight for me was the AOIFA Flower Festival in Naas.
The whole weekend was terrific, the excitement on Thursday and Friday for the set up, arm-loads of plants and flowers being brought into all three Churches. You did yourselves proud!
The exhibits were just beautiful - all around there was creativity in abundance. Thank you to everyone who took part, you made the weekend special.
Now our thoughts turn to the National Competitions and Social Weekend in Galway. While the hotel is fully booked there is accommodation available near the hotel.
Competition classes are still open for entry, we have extended the closing date until Monday the 19th September, why not have a go? Our competitions secretary Paula Dowling would love to hear from you. The competition schedule may be downloaded from the AOIFA website.
Hot on the heels of the social weekend there is the council meeting on Thursday 3rd of November, where we will launch the Christmas season with what promises to be a wonderful demonstration, watch this space - no clues yet!
It is great to hear about all the clubs opening up and having all the various activities we do, it’s just good to meet up again.
Christine
2021 Virtual Poetry Competition
The results of the 2021 Virtual Poetry competition hosted by Bridget Morley are as follows:
1st Place: Emma Champ, Naas Flower & Garden Club
2nd Place: Nicola Desmond, Kinsale Garden & Flower Club
3rd Place: Mary Cowhig, Owenabue Flower and Garden Club
“Wait till I tell you what’s been going on,”
he slumps in his nest of a chair,
clutches the cigarette, places the lighter in his lips.
The goings-on are from forty years prior,
but I still want to hear them.
Time shared multiplies, and I’ll take all I can get.
Shades of him pepper my habits now -
cold coffee forgotten on the mantlepiece,
appreciation for a good woollen jumper.
Waning comprehension of the world beyond,
but still understanding me better than anyone.
My name is lost to time, my heart is not.
- Emma Champ, Naas Flower & Garden Club
Wait till I tell you what's been going on,
In the last 18 months all normality's gone.
Instead, our lives have become very strange,
The Covid pandemic has caused such a change
When the virus arrived, in a rather odd caper
Some people began bulk-buying loo paper.
Though grocery shopping was once a chore,
It's more entertaining than before,
For since Covid-19 came
It's turned into a guessing game.
Since most people wear a mask,
What was once a mundane task
Has become weekly puzzle,
"Name the face behind the muzzle!"
In a life without Covid, 'would be my first task
To go out and burn this thrice-cursed mask.
I'd place it on top of a funeral pyre,
Then gleefully watch the flames leaping higher,
In the last 18 months, I've become it's despiser,
How I long for a time without this damned visor!
Mary Cowhig - Owenabue Flower and Garden Club
Wait till I tell you what’s been going on….
So, let’s go back it won’t take long, a little adventure we did take and off to India we did make
On return oh what a surprise to be greeted by hand sanitiser and masks alike
Confined to our homes, no clubs could meet, Eileen O’Brien online sure no one could beat,
Then the call came no show, in the field we can’t go, get the classes together and online we will go
We’ve zoomed in and out, gone live and recorded, but without doubt our friendships survived it.
So, the vaccines delivered the doors are reopened, were back to the meetings the dems and the teachings
So, lets rally the troops from Malin to the Old Head and descend on the west and do what we do best.
- By Nicola Desmond, Kinsale Garden & Flower Club