A sumptuous though fleeting feast of flowers and music will take place in St Nicholas's Collegiate Church, Galway, next weekend as several of Ireland's finest floral artists and musicians present the most spectacular festival of its type that the city has ever seen.
Thousands of blooms, along with bog oak and brambles, feather and foliage - not to mention a sculpture of St Colmcille clad in willow by artist John Coll - will be borne into the medieval limestone church and arranged by award-winning florists to depict 2,000 years of history.
Some 26 historical landmarks, from the lavishness of the Renaissance to the starkness of world famine, the drama of the Spanish Armada to the speed of the space age, will be represented. Two glorious flower carpets of hydrangea and chrysanthemum, fruit and carnations, will depict various religions.
World gold medal winner Ann O'Hara from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and Richard Haslam, who has brought gold home to Galway from Chelsea and Hampton Court, are among the exhibitors, as well as local flower clubs and individuals.
Add to that the rousing sounds of Frankie Gavin, Mairtin O'Connor and Carl Hession, the haunting tones of Noirin ni Rian and Micheal O Suilleabhain and the soothing notes of Cois Cladaigh Chamber Choir, and one is promised a sensory and spiritual experience.
The 700-year-old St Nicholas's Church is itself in need of a little uplifting, hence this gathering to raise funds.
Rising, seeping and dripping damp saturate this historic building, where Christopher Columbus once prayed and Cromwellian soldiers stabled their horses. At least £100,000 is required to tackle the problem, according to Ms Ann Walton, who is involved in fundraising.
"It is a most beautiful building," says Ms Lorna McMahon of the Galway Flower and Garden Club, which is presenting the festival. Two years of planning have gone into Floreale 2000, which is sponsored by Allied Irish Bank and which will be opened on Friday, September 25th, by Fine Gael MEP, Ms Mary Banotti, at 6.30 p.m. Actor Mick Lally will be MC at a concert on Saturday night, and an ecumenical service will be celebrated on Sunday at 8 p.m.
The flowers may be enjoyed until next Monday at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at the church in Galway.