Up to 20,000 expected in Dublin for World Flower Show
AOIFA Ireland (Association of Irish Floral Artists), which was founded in 1973 and now has 90 affiliated clubs, will host the show on June 18-22.
It was one of the founders in 1981 of the World Association of Flower Arrangers, which has 31 member countries.
Hailed as the “olympics of flower arranging”, the prestigious event, A Floral Odyssey, is being held in Ireland for first time this year.
Some 20,000 people are expected to attend the four-day show, which is likely to generate revenues of €10m for the local economy.
The World Flower Show is held every three years in one of the member countries of the World Association of Flower Arrangers.
Previous host countries have included the US, Japan, Britain, New Zealand and South Africa. The organisers were successful in securing the bid against strong competition from Barbados, Peru and Russia.
Some 600 leading floral artists from all 31 member countries will compete at the highest level.
Delegates will come to Ireland from as far afield as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Uruguay, and Pakistan, as well as from Northern Ireland and Britain.
The RDS Industries Hall will host trade stands of Irish and international exhibitors. These will range from floral art accessories and jewellery to Irish crafts and foods.
