We are thrilled to announce Joanne Daly as very deserving winner of our prestigious Spirit of Mary Toland Award 2025
Joanne has never been in a bad mood, she’s never had a day where she doesn’t offer a part of herself to someone in need, and she’s like a superhero with the amount of work she can accomplish when push comes to shove, inside of work and out.
She doesn’t care about external factors in life, like fear, anxiety or judgement, just about having fun and enjoying every moment and doing better than the day before. She’s a joy to spend time with, she’s has a cracking energy and never stops trying to learn, she’s a powerhouse in the grooming community and I wish we had ten more of her (it would make one hell of a Christmas party if it were true! 🤭) I’m glad and privileged to be able to call her a dear friend and I think she is exactly what this award is all about.
Joanne was someone I meet through a grooming competition in Northern Ireland about 6 years ago. We have been friends since. As we live miles apart we don’t see each other too often but talk regularly on the phone, messaging each other and sharing our lives together but apart.
Joanne is special as she has helped me more than anyone has. I have small kids and live no family support. I do have a
Hubby but he works a lot. She gave me the courage to set up my own business which has
Been very successful. Encouraged me with all my grooms and was always on call for a
Response to a nasty customer. Her replys always was done with grace and calm and always sorted any situation out. When I took on a dog at a time
Where I was totally overwhelmed with work and kids Joanne met me In dublin and she rehomed her. I still can see the odd picture of her which Joanne sends to me. We share our kids life’s together but miles apart. Out of the blue Joanne will send you a year
Planner or something she spotted when shopping in the post.
I am great at explaining but I was in a low place
And Joanne helped me find me, now I have the confidence to do anything and I’m here for my kids in mind aswell as body.
Joanne deserves this coz I always go on about me. I never ask her about her life and how she is and I know she works very hard and is busy with her kids
Too. Sometimes I can be me focused but this is one time I like Joanne to know how special she is and that miles apart won’t stop her shinning and helping me.
If we all could have one friend only mines would
Be my Jo Jo. She deserves this and so much more as she saved me
She doesn’t care about external factors in life, like fear, anxiety or judgement, just about having fun and enjoying every moment and doing better than the day before. She’s a joy to spend time with, she’s has a cracking energy and never stops trying to learn, she’s a powerhouse in the grooming community and I wish we had ten more of her (it would make one hell of a Christmas party if it were true! 🤭) I’m glad and privileged to be able to call her a dear friend and I think she is exactly what this award is all about.
Joanne was someone I meet through a grooming competition in Northern Ireland about 6 years ago. We have been friends since. As we live miles apart we don’t see each other too often but talk regularly on the phone, messaging each other and sharing our lives together but apart.
Joanne is special as she has helped me more than anyone has. I have small kids and live no family support. I do have a
Hubby but he works a lot. She gave me the courage to set up my own business which has
Been very successful. Encouraged me with all my grooms and was always on call for a
Response to a nasty customer. Her replys always was done with grace and calm and always sorted any situation out. When I took on a dog at a time
Where I was totally overwhelmed with work and kids Joanne met me In dublin and she rehomed her. I still can see the odd picture of her which Joanne sends to me. We share our kids life’s together but miles apart. Out of the blue Joanne will send you a year
Planner or something she spotted when shopping in the post.
I am great at explaining but I was in a low place
And Joanne helped me find me, now I have the confidence to do anything and I’m here for my kids in mind aswell as body.
Joanne deserves this coz I always go on about me. I never ask her about her life and how she is and I know she works very hard and is busy with her kids
Too. Sometimes I can be me focused but this is one time I like Joanne to know how special she is and that miles apart won’t stop her shinning and helping me.
If we all could have one friend only mines would
Be my Jo Jo. She deserves this and so much more as she saved me
We had a super amount of nominations in this year.
Congratulations to all the Nominees.
It is certainly heart warming to see the core value of our Association is still alive and well. We are helping each other, encouraging and guiding in physical or emotional ways. Especially in the times we live in, well done all again.
A second round of congratulations goes to those who submitted the nominations. Thank you so much for taking the time to acknowledge those who have helped you or inspired you to submit their name and tell us the story.
Congratulations to all the Nominees.
It is certainly heart warming to see the core value of our Association is still alive and well. We are helping each other, encouraging and guiding in physical or emotional ways. Especially in the times we live in, well done all again.
A second round of congratulations goes to those who submitted the nominations. Thank you so much for taking the time to acknowledge those who have helped you or inspired you to submit their name and tell us the story.
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2024 Winner Hayley Bohanna WickhamHayley is very very good at what she does, always there to ask question and to rely onThis person has helped me in my grooming carer in many ways, she’s always there to help me out when stuck. Amazing women! I think Hayley deserves this award and she is nothing short of amazing with all animals, dogs in particular as she works as a head dog groomer in a salon. She has passion and utmost love for every single dog that comes in and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this award. We have also worked alongside each other to raise much needed funds for a local charity to the value of €2,575 which I couldn’t have done without her help. She is so deserving of this to show the appreciation for her hard work, determination and love for animals.
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2023 Winner Jade DunphyI believe Jade is all that the Mary Toland Award embodies. She is always there and willing to help up and coming groomers in any way she can and offer work experience to secondary school students, special need students & grooming students. Her caring personality makes you feel at ease as soon as you are in her company and you are sure to have a smile on your face and an ache from all the laughter. I can’t thank Jade enough for giving me the amazing opportunity of being part of her team, she goes above and beyond to help encourage and upskill myself in grooming aswell as offering training days for others. Nothing is ever a problem if another local groomer phones and needs a hand or spare equipment there’s never a question asked Jade goes above and beyond putting everyone first. She truly is an all round amazing person & groomer, the grooming world needs more Jade’s.
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2022 Winner Michael ShielsMichael has been amazing over the years always at the phone to help me stay sian.
The help and boost he gave me to expand my salon and open a grooming school. Michael is always there to help other groomers improve their skills pushing them/us to be better, moving with the times |
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2021 Winner AJ JoyceAJ is always v encouraging and active on social media when groomers have asked for advice or opinions. His true love of dog grooming and all things canine are plain to be seen in all that his does. I dont think any of us have ever experienced an awkward silence while in conversation with Aj or even just a silence 🤣 and he has an unique way of inspiring, encouraging and aiding fellow groomers. I believe he truly embodies the spirit of Mary Toland. ❤
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2020 Winner“Felicity is such a lovely genuine person.
She always has her finger on the pulse of the Association and frequently checks in with those that she senses are in need of some support. She does this quietly and discreetly, often it is only when the person emerges from their struggle that they will mention how Felicity supported them. She is such a humble person she doesn't rate her contribution to the grooming world as anything much. Yet the care and attention she gives her little 4 legged customers is amazing both cosmetically and mentally. Her 2 legged clients are mad about her and rightly so. When anyone does anything nice for her she is overwhelmed and feels completely undeserving. Felicity is constantly giving of herself and very rarely asks for help even though there are times she could very well do with just a shoulder to lean on for a bit. She is a super person very deserving of this award just to remind her that we think she is great and we have her back if she needs us” |
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We are very proud to share some of the sentiments expressed on the 2018 Spirt of Mary Nominations
For added ease of viewing you can pause or manually go through the slide show using the controls along the top
About our Founding Chairperson
Mary Toland (nee Bolger) Shampooch Grooming
Chairperson and Founding Member of the Irish Professional Dog Groomers Association
The dog grooming world was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mary Toland at home on 4th March 2016.
Known many years ago in the showing world with her afghan hounds, Mary's love affair with canines began. Mary opened her first grooming salon in 1986 in Rathmines and after 30 years of pampering and trimming, was planning her retirement in style. A key founding member of the Irish Professional Dog Groomers Association in 1996, Mary was elected Chairman in the beginning and held that position ever since. She was great at networking and made it her mission to bring the best of grooming talent to Ireland for seminars and workshops. Her contagious smile, great sense of humour and welcoming way was appreciated by all who met her. These qualities have been the thread echoed through all the condolences.
"Be Delighted" was her motto and that she was. Delighted to see you, delighted to talk to you and delighted to welcome you to whatever you were attending with her. She was delighted to be at work, delighted to have time off and delighted to share with you the latest family news. She delighted in how her lovely daughters, Rebecca, Sarah and Nicola, were progressing through life and also delighted to welcome her first granddaughter Kate. Not forgetting her wonderful husband Pat, who spoiled her rotten, Mary was delighted to be planning their retirement together. She also used to delight in telling us the latest antics of her two standard poodles Arwen and Amelie, as well as her parrot Picasso. Our deepest sympathies to her family.
We were delighted to have known such a beautiful lady, our shining star. Rest in Peace Mary T
Chairperson and Founding Member of the Irish Professional Dog Groomers Association
The dog grooming world was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mary Toland at home on 4th March 2016.
Known many years ago in the showing world with her afghan hounds, Mary's love affair with canines began. Mary opened her first grooming salon in 1986 in Rathmines and after 30 years of pampering and trimming, was planning her retirement in style. A key founding member of the Irish Professional Dog Groomers Association in 1996, Mary was elected Chairman in the beginning and held that position ever since. She was great at networking and made it her mission to bring the best of grooming talent to Ireland for seminars and workshops. Her contagious smile, great sense of humour and welcoming way was appreciated by all who met her. These qualities have been the thread echoed through all the condolences.
"Be Delighted" was her motto and that she was. Delighted to see you, delighted to talk to you and delighted to welcome you to whatever you were attending with her. She was delighted to be at work, delighted to have time off and delighted to share with you the latest family news. She delighted in how her lovely daughters, Rebecca, Sarah and Nicola, were progressing through life and also delighted to welcome her first granddaughter Kate. Not forgetting her wonderful husband Pat, who spoiled her rotten, Mary was delighted to be planning their retirement together. She also used to delight in telling us the latest antics of her two standard poodles Arwen and Amelie, as well as her parrot Picasso. Our deepest sympathies to her family.
We were delighted to have known such a beautiful lady, our shining star. Rest in Peace Mary T
Mary never wanted to 'be' the IPDGA but the reality & truth is, the IPDGA wouldn't 'be' in existence with out Mary 
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Some words from Karina introducing our Spirit of Mary Toland AwardIn June 1996 our one and only grooming supplies shop in Ireland – Allied Veterinary Products – decided that they would hold a grooming workshop. This was the first of its kind in Ireland outside of a breed club.
Pat Kavanagh at AVP saw the rise in demand for the few bits of equipment that they carried and decided to put together something to pull all these groomers to a seminar. Us oldies appreciate the suppliers we have now – you had a choice then of an oster a5 or aesculap (mad money) and blades were restricted to 10,7,5,4 skip for oster. Aescaulap had a wider range of blades but they were pricey. Basic 6” roseline and double sided thinners and the 160 all breed book – their catalogue fitted on a postcard!! Diane North and Joanne Angus were invited over to run the workshop and Pat and his staff rang around all their grooming products clientel to convince us to bring a dog washed, dried and prepped to work on under tuition. Never before were so many groomers in the same room, let alone working in front of each other, there was a very suspicious vibe around then. I hadn't even met another groomer before that day. So about 30 of us did the workshop, Mary was one table across and in front of me with her clients dog , Nicoli, the most beautifully behaved Kerry Blue. Towards the end of the day Diane North mentioned that we had made the first step and should get together and form a grooming association. Mary Toland made it her business to get each persons phone number and within 2 weeks had rang everyone and set up another meeting in AVP's shop on Wellington Quay. Along with a meeting to discuss formation of an association Mary was demonstrating grooming along with her newest gadget the Designer Dog Gizmo. The Gizmo was one of the most powerful blasters of its time. Hers still works today – god are they noisey. She had a retriever and proceeded to blast out the dead coat all over AVP's lovely carpeted shop and shelves of products. There was another meeting or two before it emerged that a core group of people kept turning up and the discussions got more intense about the association formation. And the formalities were put in place and the founder members were signed in. Some of our remaing founders are still actively involved, Freda, Jenny, Suzanne, Margaret, Natasja, Hilda and myself Marys core belief was that the IPDGA was primarily an association for groomers. Where we could meet, chat, network and help each other out. One great big support group.This makes us a cut above any other grooming association, any visiting judges or demonstrators always comment on what a great atmosphere there is at our events. How friendly we are, they all admire how we just gel as a group. And that is down to Marys vision when she was pulling together this grooming association, it wasn't just going to be another group. It had a purpose, to promote communication/ networking/ friendship between all our members. So we wanted to create a fitting memorial/ rememberance award to keep Mary in our hearts. I hate to use the term memorial because it is still so hard to believe that she has left us. We want to ensure that the important core value of our association isn't lost in the future generations. So we have created The Spirit of Mary Toland Award, and basically it is for you the IPDGA members to go to and nominate another IPDGA member for something they have done that has made a pleasant difference for you. It could be a little a gesture like chatting at a seminar when you were feeling a little lost, offering a lift to an event, being a listening ear on the phone/facebook, or even helping you out by lending something – infinate scenarios – but something that made a difference for you. Someone who was just generous in spirit to you who made your day go a little better. Someone who has the spirit of Mary- funny, generous, friendly, chatty all of those adjectives we read on the timeline after she passed away. The nominations and the stories with them will be sent to Marys family, Pat, Rebecca, Sarah and Nicola for them to choose whom they feel deserves it for this year and it will be presented each October. So the aim of The Spirit of Mary Toland Award will be to ensure that the friendships, networking and communication the core values of the association are kept alive . Hopefully by having people think like that that the reverse will happen, the members will keep an open mind as to how they can make a fellow members experience better, make them feel better, do something nice , open your hearts and keep the spirit of Mary alive. A cyber hug /text or phone call now and then can just be that bit of support someone needs. |
Previous Award Winners
2019
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2018
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