All across the country, gardens are being ignored as a group of flower enthusiasts work flat out to prepare for the 11th World Flower Show, which takes place in Ireland.

This is the first time in its 33-year history that the prestigious World Flower Show will take place in Ireland.

It is expected to attract well over 20,000 visitors, from home and abroad, and generate €10m in tourism revenue.

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It’s a major coup for the Association of Irish Floral Artists (AOIFA) and to say they’ve been on a three-year ‘floral odyssey’ would be a total understatement. And the woman who can vouch for this is World Flower Show president, Kitty Gallagher.

Kitty is a native of Lisselton in Co Kerry. She came to Dublin in the 1970s to work in the civil service and met and married John, who hails from Donegal. Their first home in Clondalkin was in a new housing estate with nothing but rubble in the garden. Kitty decided to take it on – by taking up flower arranging.

“It’s still beyond me as to why I did that instead of taking gardening lessons.”

Kitty ended up on the committee of the South Dublin flower club, did her exams and qualified to teach, demonstrate and judge. She developed her garden, moved to Rathfarnham, where she set about making a garden all over again, reared two children and, apart from some teaching, she kept the flower arranging as a hobby.

Ireland takes charge

Then she was invited to join the National Executive of AOIFA (the Association of Irish Floral Artists) and it’s been upwards ever since. She is now president of the World Flower Show and in charge of hosting this huge event.

“It all began in 2012 when Ireland was elected by the 31 countries that make up the World Association of Flower Arrangers to administer the association for three years. That year we hosted a seminar for 88 visitors from 22 countries.”

“The World Flower Show only happens every three years and we knew we were in a strong position to bid for it. Mary O’Keeffe from Cork was our president when we made the initial pitch and we were shortlisted alongside Barbados, Peru and Russia.”

“We went on to win the bid and I think it was partly because we’ve always been great to support the world shows and we were a founder member of the world association.”

20,000 visitors expected

With 6,000 members in Ireland and several thousand more in Northern Ireland, ticket sales have been brisk and some of the events are already sold out at the RDS venue.

“We’re expecting well over 20,000 visitors, including many from the UK and further afield. It will all kick off on Wednesday, 18 June, at 6am, when the 600 competitive exhibits are being staged. The international judging is that afternoon, followed by a preview and dinner with special guest President Michael D Higgins. Then we open to the public for four days.”

Apart from the wonderful floral exhibits, there’ll be lectures and talks from both Irish and international experts, as well as garden tours and lots more. You can see the full programme on www.wafaireland.com

“It’s really very exciting. There’s even a new 60c stamp featuring an orchid to celebrate the event. We’ve never done anything like this before and it’s on a scale that none of our clubs would have experienced.”

New interest

According to Kitty there’s a new interest in floral arranging, with 80 clubs across the country meeting monthly.

“They organise a talk or demonstration and there’s a welcome cup of tea. You don’t have to be a flower arranger – you can just sit and watch. And for those who want to get more involved, there are always workshops.”

“It’s a hobby for most people and you can learn how to do a lovely arrangement at little cost. I’d really encourage people to join their local club.

“Membership costs no more than €30 a year and classes are funded with a raffle. We’ll be at Bloom and the Cork, Tullamore and Limerick shows, so do call in and say hello.”