Welcome to the Irish Orchid
Society
(IOS) Website.
The Irish Orchid Society (IOS) was
launched on Monday 18th June 2001 at the National Botanic Gardens,
Glasnevin, Dublin. The emblem of the IOS was chosen to be Neomoorea
irrorata, an orchid with a particular strong Irish connection.
Neomoorea irrorata
During the year, a newsletter titled
'Pollinia' is distributed to all the society's members quarterly,
containing a mixture of articles, information and news on
forthcoming events. Members are encouraged to contribute by
submitting articles, artwork or other items of interest to the
membership. A panel of very experienced growers are available to
answer any questions that is thrown at them.
Every spring a guest lecturer is
invited to give an illustrated talk to the society's members. We
have been lucky to have had two very important figures in the world
of orchids as the first two speakers were no other that Dr Henry
Oakley (2002) chairman RHS orchid committee and Dr Philip Cribb
(2003) curator of the Orchid Herbarium at the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, London, and widely travelled orchid researcher. Dr Cribb is
also an author/co-author of numerous books on orchids.
Epidendrum schomburgkii
In 2003 we had our first field trip
to see Irish native orchids. The trip was organised to visit Sligo.
In 2004 a two event saw members visiting Sligo and the Burren, Co
Clare. 2004 also saw a continuation of the very successful Dublin
Orchid Fayre with nurseries from the UK and France selling their
plants and supplies in the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.
In November we had a
very entertaining talk by Tom Hart Dyke, a noted orchid hunter in
South America and Asia. Tom is also author of a recent book 'Orchid
Garden in the Clouds'. Tom is an adventurous traveller, plantsman
and orchid fanatic. In his book he recounts his obsession with
orchids which led to him travelling in the forests of Columbia. In
the notorious Darien Gap between Panama and Columbia he was taken
captive by guerrilla forces for 9 months until his eventual release.
2004 also saw the
opening of Ireland's first orchid nursery, which can be found on the
links page of this website. We wish Bill every success in his
endeavour.
Paphiopedilum parishii
In 2005, we continue to
grow from strength to strength. In Feb we had a potting workshop and
March saw a plant sale of members surplus plants. March also saw a
number of members travel to Dijon on France for the World Orchid
Congress. A very enjoyable time was had by all.
A trip to Bull
Island in North Dublin saw the first of three fieldtrips in 2005 to
see the amazing bee orchids flowering there as well as other
species. In June we had our, by now, annual Dublin Orchid Fayre with
three nurseries from the UK & France with a wide range of plants on
show and for sale. July saw our AGM and the now famous annual trips
to Mullaghmore, Co Sligo and the Burren, Co Clare to see a perfusion
of native Irish orchids in flower. For upcoming events, keep an eye on
the news page of this website.
The IOS regularly meet, usually
the first Monday of every month at 8pm in the Botanic Gardens,
Glasnevin, Dublin.
Members Help Wanted!
We would dearly like items for publishing on this website. Please
remember that 'Pollinia' and this website belong to you, the members, and
how good they are depends upon your contributions. If you have any
ideas, articles, photographs, cultural notes, news, useful tips to
encourage beginners or anything else at all, don't keep it to yourself.
Let us all benefit from your experience. e-mail us now at
seanmgp 'at' eircom.net
Of course, even if you are not a member
(and why haven't you joined yet?) and you would like to ask a
question about orchids or even submit
something for publication, don't be shy!.
