Conna & District Flower & Garden Club

Conna and District Flower and Garden Club Celebrate 25th Anniversary in Style!

Let s make it a night to remember must have been the motto of the organising committee for Conna and District Flower and Garden Club. On Friday, January 27th the club met at Middleton Park Hotel for their celebratory dinner. Members were greeted at the door of the Garden Suite, by the club Chairman, Maureen Hales. Our President, Rose Hickey presented each member with a corsage as they entered the beautifully decorated Room. Each table had a stunning floral centrepiece created by Geraldine O Leary and there were bookmarkers and key rings of Conna Castle for everyone. Maureen formally welcomed our Honorary Guests, AOIFA President Teresa Collins, incoming AOIFA Chairman Mary C. O Keeffe, founder Chairman Geraldine O Leary, and founder Secretary Noreen Hamilton, along with all other guests. The Grace was said by Vice Chairman Abina Ahern, before we sat to a feast, beautifully presented by the staff of the hotel.

Kathleen Joyce was the creator of the masterpiece that was our 25th Anniversary cake, which was cut by Maureen Hales and Geraldine O Leary. Many presentations were made. A beautiful picture a Conna Castle was given to each of our Honorary Guests. A specially designed and crafted brooch was presented to each of our current officers to commemorate such a milestone for any club. Our officers are the aforementioned Rose Hickey, Maureen Hales, Catherine Spillane (Secretary), and Kathleen O Keeffe (Treasurer).
The Club was toasted by Rose Hickey, and as Teresa Collins replied on behalf of the guests she heartily congratulated Conna not only on its 25years but on the level of commitment and involvement that our members have had at national and international level. Teresa also congratulated Geraldine O Leary on her new role as National Publications Officer. We were reminded of our good fortune in having such qualified and talented demonstrators and speakers in Rose Hickey and Maureen Hales.
It was lovely to listen to Geraldine O Leary as she spoken of that first night of the club, how it came to be and the time and great encouragement given by the legendary Maud Kelly. She spoke of how Maud would whip up the most beautiful arrangement from garden foliage alone, and help each person present to do the same. Surely great credit is due to her for her lasting influence on those first members.

Mary C. O Keeffe congratulated the club on behalf of AOIFA and gave an insight into what we can expect as she takes up her position as AOIFA Chairman. We are very fortune that the Chairmanship is coming to a Cork lady and we wish her every success and support for her term.
Maureen thanked all concerned for their work and called on Frances Tobin to entertain us, which she did with her never failing good humor and exquisite voice. We had a leisurely look at the photo albums, which brought back many happy memories and many stories.
Many thanks is due to those ladies who founded Conna and District Flower and Garden Club, and many more to those who nurtured it throughout the last 25 years. Here s to the next 25!
With spring in the air the club is springing into action on all fronts. Last month Rose Hickey gave a wonderful Teaching Demonstration. Rose has such a natural way with both people and flowers that made it seem so easy for her to impart so much knowledge in a short space of time. It was a great night. Rose is currently giving Floral Art classes to some of our members.
On March 15th, we hosted a Slide Show Demonstration by Deborah Begley at 8.15pm. There was also a competition on the night, 3 Spring Bulbs, excluding daffodils March also sees Geraldine O Leary start her new role as National Publications Officer, we wish her the best of luck and our support for the term