A new era for Irish floristry
Learn, grow and bloom with The Institute of Flowers!
The Institute of Flowers (IOF) officially launched on the 20th of October at the picturesque Bellinter House, nestled in the heart of the Boyne valley. A significant milestone for the floristry industry in Ireland!
Would you like to know more about the IOF’s mission, the highlights of their launch event 'Blooming Forward', and upcoming opportunities for florists across Ireland? Read on to find out!
About the Institute of flowers
The IOF is Ireland’s first dedicated trade organisation for florists. Founded by Fionnuala McAuley, a florist with over 20 years of experience, and Sinead Kieran, a leading business and personal development coach, the IOF is committed to supporting florists through high-quality training, community building, and industry advocacy at both national and international levels.
With over 4,000 florists operating in Ireland, there was a clear need for a unifying organisation. The IOF provides a strong collective voice, championing florists and ensuring the industry continues to flourish. Founding member Fionnuala McAuley explains: "The launch was not just about establishing an organisation—it was about empowering florists, securing the future of the industry, and creating opportunities for long-term growth and success."
”The launch was not just about establishing an organisation—it was about empowering florists, securing the future of the industry, and creating opportunities for long-term growth and success.
Blooming Forward
The Blooming Forward event, which included the festive launch, workshops and insightful panel discussions, was organised by the IOF in partnership with Skillnet Ireland. The event kicked off with an exclusive 2-day workshop by the renowned floral designer Sabine Darrall, who also delivered a keynote about the future of floristry and the importance of technology and AI. Sabine Darrall reflected on the experience: “One of the most powerful takeaways was the strength of community and collaboration. Throughout the workshop and the launch, conversations happened between growers, suppliers, florists, and educators, all with the common goal of supporting and elevating our unique industry. There was no judgment—only a shared commitment to progress.”
Wedding workshop
Renowned for her elegant and sustainable floral designs, Sabine Darrall led an immersive workshop focusing on wedding floristry. Not only did she teach her vast knowlegde about flower varieties and sustainable design, she also shared invaluable business insights and practical advice on technology.
The attendees created lush cascading bouquets and a beautiful large wedding installation in the historic Nunnery at Bellinter House. The luxurious floral arrangements emanate elegance and soft romance with pastel hues combined with lush greenery. Marginpar was honoured to sponsor flowers alongside Van der Plas, one of our trusted sales partners. Sabine Darrall wrote on her Instagram account: "The flowers were everything I asked for, beautiful varieties from Van Der Plas and Marginpar including the new Clematis Amazing® Kansas - it was so lovely to be some of the first to work with this beautiful variety."
The responses from attendees were overwhelmingly positive:
- “From start to finish, it was an incredible experience. Sabine is not only a brilliant floral designer, but she’s also an incredibly warm and supportive instructor. The atmosphere was friendly, encouraging, and buzzing with creativity.”
- “I enjoyed seeing the more sustainable methods she used for her large installs. I also enjoyed the extra talks and direction on procreate AI and automation.”
Marginpar flower list:
Get Involved with the Institute of Flowers
The IOF welcomes florists at every stage of their journey—whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out. Florists can engage with the IOF through social media, training programs, workshops, and networking events. Additionally, IOF members can access an exclusive online platform—a safe, supportive space for learning, networking, and collaboration.
One workshop attendee writes: "If you’re a florist looking to sharpen your skills, connect with others in the industry, or just get a fresh dose of inspiration, I can’t recommend the Institute of Flowers highly enough. This workshop was just a taste of what they have to offer, and I’m looking forward to being part of their journey!"
Upcoming IOF events
The IOF has an exciting calendar of workshops and masterclasses, featuring world-renowned florists like Morgan Douglas Nutt and Hanneke Frankema. In addition, the IOF is in the process of joining Florint, strengthening ties with the global floristry community and giving Irish florists a platform on the international stage. One of the most anticipated events is 'Bloom', Ireland’s largest horticultural festival, taking place in June. Fionnuala McAuley shares: “For the first time, florists will have a dedicated platform at Bloom, where we will showcase the power and beauty of flowers through live demonstrations. This is a huge moment for the floristry industry in Ireland!” Another historical milestone that can’t be missed!
Save the Date: On the 29th of April, Helena van Achterberg, Brand Manager at Marginpar, will host an exclusive webinar for IOF members.
