There’s a certain magic in witnessing a flower bloom in its season—a sight that never fails to charm me. My friend used to refer to them as “smiling faces,” a sentiment that always pops into my head whenever I see them.
Little did I realise, flowers played a far more significant role in my upbringing than I initially acknowledged. What seemed mundane and ordinary in my childhood has transformed into a deep appreciation for nature’s beauty. I now admire the artistry of floristry.
I grew up in a rural village along the rugged West Coast of Ireland. I was surrounded by an abundance of floral wonders. Sea pinks, crocosmia, and yellow flag Iris adorned the landscape. They painted fields with hues of pink and orange. Memories flood back of helping my Grandmother tend to her rose bushes. I recall spreading tea bags for plant food. I also marvelled at the resilient fuchsia bush weathering storms rolling off the Atlantic.
Never did I imagine myself pursuing a career in floristry. As a teenager, I envisioned a path filled with fashion and the buzz of city life. However, life had other plans. After studying film and television at university, I endured a series of unfulfilling jobs. I eventually found myself in London. I was working at Scarlet and Violet—a bustling flower shop that became my floristry boot camp. Scarlet and Violet felt like a beehive of busy florists. They were fussing over arrangements and attending to customers. Everyone was excited for a new seasonal bloom to return after its dormant season. It could be the British cherry blossom returning after the long, drab winter. It might be autumn hydrangeas at the end of the summer, with their mottled, rainbow petals. We loved it all.
I naturally gravitated towards event floristry. I loved being on the move. Driving a van gave me the freedom to explore the city of London. I installed flowers for restaurants, fashion brands, and private homes. I loved the buzz of being on the go. I enjoyed getting to know the clients in their work environment. I visited them every week with whatever seasonal favourites I knew they loved. I loved the creative skill of designing arrangements for the spaces I was becoming familiar with. I designed bar flowers that would pop against the wall colour. I also arranged big vases that would fit perfectly in an alcove. I tried to incorporate different themes. I used elements of a venue, for example food-related florals for my restaurant venues. Examples include crabapples, physalis, or blackberries.
Under the guidance of talented florists, I fell head over heels for the artistry, craft, and skill of floristry. Yet, amidst my newfound passion, I couldn’t ignore the growing concerns surrounding ethics and environmental issues within the floral industry. It was a shadow I couldn’t overlook, prompting me to seek out those striving to make a positive difference. The London flower market provides a selection of British grown flowers and foliage. It’s such a special resource to be able to pull from. The industry in Ireland is a little different. Florists develop relationships with individual growers. They cannot source locally grown flowers in one marketplace.
Returning to Ireland, I embarked on a journey to build connections within the local industry. I dived deep into the wedding flower industry, working on every job that came my way. However, the onset of Covid-19 brought unforeseen challenges, halting weddings and events and stifling my creative endeavours. Yet, amidst adversity, inspiration struck.
Inspired by a friend’s charity, Bread and Roses, I launched a sister branch in Dublin in 2023. It is a floristry training program. This program is aimed at empowering women facing social challenges. Harnessing the therapeutic benefits of working with flowers, we provided a platform for creativity, confidence-building, and skill development.
In 2024, I decided to relocate to my hometown in Clare, on the West Coast of Ireland. I embarked on a new journey focused on sustainability within the wedding flower industry. I am driven to contribute positively to an industry I love. I also aim to champion ethical practices and environmental stewardship.
As I look back on my journey as a florist, I’m reminded of the transformative power of flowers. Embracing nature’s beauty is important. I also advocate for change within the industry.
Find out more about our journey here.