The above was held in Aras Chronain, Clondalkin, Dublin on Saturday & Sunday, 19th & 20th October, 2019. Our judges were Howard Bagshaw, ARPS, MPAGB & Ron Davies, FRPS, FIPF, EFIAP, FACI(M). The sequences for the Nationals were sent to both judges in advance and they commented after each sequence .. and very kindly gave these to the authors afterwards. There were entries in the Novice, Intermediate, Club & Advanced – 16 in all – down on last year – and for the first time in many years there was no 1st time entrant. These represented Shannon Camera Club, Celbridge Camera Club, Breffni Photography Club, Offshoot Photographic Society & Bangor & North Down Camera Club.
There were 44 entries in the International Competition – some of those had not entered before – they covered Ireland – north and south, England, Wales, Norway, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Slovakia & South Africa. As happens internationally, these were not commented on – and because of the high volume of entries – there was unfortunately no time to see any sequences of either Howard or Ron.
It was great having Dominic Reddin, FIPF, President of the Irish Photographic Federation present to hand out the awards at the end of the festival and accompanied by the Vice President, Liam Beattie and Andy Magan, National Shield Co-Ordinator.
Unfortunately attendances for whatever reason were down this year and this will reflect on the net expenditure – when the books are balanced! I suppose Ireland playing New Zealand on Saturday morning did not help!
Apart from the serious nature of the festival, there is always great camaraderie between the contestants and supporters. I was delighted that we had 6 over from across the Irish Sea and a number of our NIPA friends from across the border. 15 of us enjoyed a meal in the Maldron Hotel on the Friday night and there were 17 of us in the Maldron on Sunday night before all headed back to their destinations. In between we had our Gala dinner in Joel’s Restaurant – with 25 attending.
This was our 10th year in Aras Chronain and the venue makes it much easier for Alan Lyons who is in charge of the receiving and checking of all entries, producing the times of the sessions, sending the national entries to our judges and last but not least being in charge of the showing of all sequences over the weekend – as the facilities are there for sound and vision.
Thanks to Denis Whelehan & Sabrina Dunny for producing the medals, certificates and ribbons respectively and to Gerry Kerr & Liam Beattie for promoting the event on the IPF website and in Oscailt.
As well as thanking Alan on the IPF AV Group Committee, I wish to thank the other members in no particular order! Maria O’Brien looked after the judges, Yvonne Acheson looked after the money and tickets for lunches on both days and assisted with the raffle. Rita Nolan not only manned the reception desk, but looked after the raffle. Margaret Finlay was our MC for the weekend. Edwin Bailey, with the help of Frances, looked after the money for the gala dinner. Edwin will also produce a book of AV2019 as he has done for the past number of years, which is a great record of the event. Finally, Brendan O’Sullivan, chairman, kept me right, and also looked after all the contacts with Aras Chronain and he along with Rita booked the venue for the Gala Dinner.
There are always a couple of others not on the committee, which I and the committee would be lost without. Sheamus O’Donoghue once again was the “official” photographer. In due course, his photographs will appear in the year book and on the IPF website. So, this year, we acknowledged this by giving small tokens of our appreciation to Philomena Lyons who has for the past 10 years in Aras Chronain and many years before that manned the reception desk and is the friendly face you see when your arrive. The other person nobody sees as Noel Doyle has been up on the gallery in Aras Chronain manning the lights as to when he needs to keep us in the dark or in the light. He again has been doing this for the past 10 years. So, as well as a token he received a torch!
As this is the day after the event, I hope I have not left anything out!
Advance notice: There will be an AV Exchange with Essex AV Group in Treacys Oakwood Hotel, Shannon, Co. Clare on Saturday, 14th December at 2 p.m. All invited. Admission free! Essex will be showing a selection of 12 AV’s representing the IPF on 6th November.
Lilian Webb, AIPF, ARPS – IPF AV Co-Ordinator.
21st October, 2019.
Images of presentations on the day:
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