Karina Kerrigan is currently acting Chairperson as of March 2016
We wish her well in this difficult turn of events
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Chairperson, Mary Toland
Cornerstone, founding member and chairperson IPDGA 1996 - march 2016 - RIP Beautiful Lady
Back in 1975 I decided my dream job in the advertising agency wasn’t what I wanted to do and that I really had to work with animals. Even then it wasn’t easy to get into veterinary nursing or RANA as we were then, but I was lucky enough to get into Lamberts in South Richmond Street to start my training.
Then in my first week the groomer left and I was sent upstairs to help out and 40 years later I’m still at it. So much has changed in the intervening years, especially equipment. The only thing I had then to wash the dogs was bars of Lux soap,though amazingly enough we didn’t see too many skin problems. After a year in Lamberts I decided to open up on my own.
That’s the good thing about being 20, you don’t see any problems. I started with a Tornado dryer from Allbrook and a wooden kitchen table and the only clippers was the Oster A5.. There was no Christies or Mullinahone then and the only suppliers was Arnold’s in chapelizod. Buying blades was always fun as Coco Cola had just opened next door to Arnold’s and we used to call in for a freebie.
The Sunday Independent did a little article about me as they couldn’t believe anyone
would pay to get their dog groomed and I was on my way. I absolutely loved grooming and looking into the styles of the different breeds and slowly but surely I got busier and I still have some of those original owners bringing their present dogs to me.
The only thing I missed about working on my own was chatting to other people, especially other animal-mad ones.
Fast forward to 1995 and Arnold’s had now become Boardwalk Pets and Pat Kavenagh who ran the company arranged for Diana North and Joanne Angus to come over and have a demo day with irish groomers. By now there was a lot more of us so it was great to talk to other people who actually understood anal gland conditioner and other choice topics. It was heaven.
At the end of the day I asked would anyone like to join an association of groomers and bingo, the IPDGA was born. Over the years we’ve had the most amazing committee members who have brought the association to where it is now. High spots for me have been our first World Championships in London in 1999 where I competed in the terrier class, the long awaited arrival in Ireland of the city and guilds exam in 2003.
Prior to that it was necessary to travel to England to sit the exam. Another highlight was having two personal idols of mine, Anita Bax and Peter Young coming to judge, not once but twice. Suzanne and myself had a great trip to Intergroom in New Jersey on
another occasion but now instead of having to travel to see the best groomers on the planet we bring them here.
Next year in 2016 we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irish Grooming Championships which will be a terrific milestone for the association. Wasn’t I lucky to have followed my heart all those years ago.
Back in 1975 I decided my dream job in the advertising agency wasn’t what I wanted to do and that I really had to work with animals. Even then it wasn’t easy to get into veterinary nursing or RANA as we were then, but I was lucky enough to get into Lamberts in South Richmond Street to start my training.
Then in my first week the groomer left and I was sent upstairs to help out and 40 years later I’m still at it. So much has changed in the intervening years, especially equipment. The only thing I had then to wash the dogs was bars of Lux soap,though amazingly enough we didn’t see too many skin problems. After a year in Lamberts I decided to open up on my own.
That’s the good thing about being 20, you don’t see any problems. I started with a Tornado dryer from Allbrook and a wooden kitchen table and the only clippers was the Oster A5.. There was no Christies or Mullinahone then and the only suppliers was Arnold’s in chapelizod. Buying blades was always fun as Coco Cola had just opened next door to Arnold’s and we used to call in for a freebie.
The Sunday Independent did a little article about me as they couldn’t believe anyone
would pay to get their dog groomed and I was on my way. I absolutely loved grooming and looking into the styles of the different breeds and slowly but surely I got busier and I still have some of those original owners bringing their present dogs to me.
The only thing I missed about working on my own was chatting to other people, especially other animal-mad ones.
Fast forward to 1995 and Arnold’s had now become Boardwalk Pets and Pat Kavenagh who ran the company arranged for Diana North and Joanne Angus to come over and have a demo day with irish groomers. By now there was a lot more of us so it was great to talk to other people who actually understood anal gland conditioner and other choice topics. It was heaven.
At the end of the day I asked would anyone like to join an association of groomers and bingo, the IPDGA was born. Over the years we’ve had the most amazing committee members who have brought the association to where it is now. High spots for me have been our first World Championships in London in 1999 where I competed in the terrier class, the long awaited arrival in Ireland of the city and guilds exam in 2003.
Prior to that it was necessary to travel to England to sit the exam. Another highlight was having two personal idols of mine, Anita Bax and Peter Young coming to judge, not once but twice. Suzanne and myself had a great trip to Intergroom in New Jersey on
another occasion but now instead of having to travel to see the best groomers on the planet we bring them here.
Next year in 2016 we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Irish Grooming Championships which will be a terrific milestone for the association. Wasn’t I lucky to have followed my heart all those years ago.
 Secretary, Felicity Kirwan
I’ve been grooming since 2008 after 14 years in the world of educating fellow humans and two weeks after setting up my business, I competed in the Irish grooming championships…how very naive! I’ve competed every year since with great success and hopefully will continue for a few years to come.
I accidentally joined the committee in 2010 after volunteering to help print some address labels but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’ve met some wonderful friends through the association. I have 3 small dogs and my husband has 3 large dogs plus we have one teenage girl who has also been dragged kicking and screaming into the world of grooming and competing and helping out at events…only kidding about the kicking and screaming, she really loves it!!  Kerrie Leech
Originally from Dublin Living in Westmeath. I have 2 kids Cián 4 & Megan 2 and 4 furbabies a Labrador, Pekingese, Chihuahua and a Persian cat. I'm a newbie to the committee its only my 2nd year but I love it. It’s great to have other groomers to chat to and ask questions and it must be an unwritten rule you have to be great craic to be a dog groomer.
 Debbie Hourigan
I live in tipperary and I have been grooming for 8 years. I also make and sell bows & I have two children, two dogs and one husband. You’ll meet me at all the seminars and hopefully see me competing in the Octrober Championships.
 Carol Bellamy
For years I wanted to be a dog groomer, I finally
trained in March 2013 and was so excited to open Dublin Dog Grooming.ie. I am now delighted to be an award winning groomer and C&G qualified. I groom both dogs and cats and really love it. |
 Treasurer, Vice Chairperson Freda Gorman
I am currently treasurer of IPDGA, I was also a founder member of the group all those years ago. I have always worked with animals, first qualifying as a Veterinary Nurse then working as a dog groomer. I learned grooming initially from Clare Fitzsimmons in Cabra and in 1993 started grooming at my home in the aptly named Dogstown in Trim Co Meath. I’m married to Finnian and have two grown up children both at college in Dublin. I love my job, I give out loads of advice about animal care, neutering, diet, coat care, breeding etc and find this a great addition to my grooming. In my spare time I love spending time with my family and my German Sheperd Ruby, also walking, cycling and reading and of course keeping up with all the doggie news.
 PR, Dave Flower
DOB 3/8/1951 (so older than most)
Married twice (not sure why) 36yo Son. Almost 5yo grandson Live in Knocklyon (always lived Dublin 6 or 16 – posh !!). Spent 37 in IT business (then got sense) Wannabe Vet. Decided on 2nd best (Grooming) 6 years ago. Trained with Nicky Lacey (ex Mutt Ugly – now teaching people to sea freedive in Thailand). Spent a lot of money setting up Grooming facility adjacent to house. Now have about 700+ dogs on the books. Continue to spend too much money on equipment etc. Lots of very loyal Clients Love what I do. Own the 3 best Shit-Tzu in the world On IPDGA Committee. Love a good belly laugh  Zowie Fanning
I trained with Karina Kerrigan and like to attend the seminars as I learn a lot about new techniques, I’m also involved in dog show especially showing Chows.
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