Bloom 2025 will forever hold a special place in our hearts — and in the history of Irish floristry. For the first time ever, the Institute of Flowers had a dedicated platform at Ireland’s largest horticultural event. It was bold. It was beautiful. And it was built by florists, for florists.

From the very first day, our tent was buzzing with creativity, colour, conversation — and the unmistakable scent of fresh flowers. What we achieved together over those five days was nothing short of extraordinary.

A Stand Like No Other

Supported by Positive2Work Skillnet, our showcase was designed not just to impress, but to inspire and upskill. Across the weekend, we hosted:

12 live floral demonstrations
39 incredible florists from across Ireland
Thousands of visitors, from flower lovers to politicians
Countless conversations about the future of our craft

Our tent wasn’t just a stand — it was a community space, an education hub, and a celebration of Irish floral talent.

Wearable Floristry That Turned Heads

A major highlight was our Wearable Floristry Competition, where florists designed and wore stunning floral creations — from necklaces to full cloaks. Judged by Lamber de Bie, Adele Roche, and MEP Maria Walsh, the competition brought fashion, floristry and fun together in the most memorable way.

The level of skill, colour, and imagination was jaw-dropping — and watching visitors light up as these designs moved through Bloom was something none of us will ever forget.

Very Special Guests

We were honoured to meet some truly special people at Bloom — including President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina, to whom we presented a bespoke floral gift created by our team. We also hosted MEP Maria Walsh, the Ambassador to Ireland and her wife, and six other public representatives who all came to show their support for Irish floristry.

Moments like these help move our industry forward — proving that what we do matters, not just to customers, but to culture.

The Numbers Say It All

100,000+ Bloom visitors
15,766 buttonholes made on-site
6,786 corsages, 657 floral rings, 17 necklaces, 13 hats
3 stages, 2 live TV spots, and countless memories

But beyond the stats, what truly matters is this: we came together, we lifted each other up, and we reminded the world that flowers have power — emotional, artistic, and economic.

With Thanks from the Bottom of Our Hearts

This event simply wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support we received behind the scenes.

A very special thank-you goes to Van Der Plas (VDP) for supplying the most spectacular selection of flowers across the weekend. Their generosity, professionalism, and passion helped bring every single design and installation to life — from buttonholes to show-stopping creations.

We are also deeply grateful to all the floral wholesalers, growers, sponsors, educators, and volunteers who gave their time, product, and support to this initiative. It was a true team effort — and we felt the love every step of the way.

What’s Next?

This is just the beginning.

The IOF will continue to offer certified training, expert workshops and business development opportunities to florists across the country. We’re building something lasting — a professional home for Irish florists that celebrates talent, encourages innovation, and fights for recognition.

Whether you joined us at Bloom, supported from afar, or simply believe in the power of flowers — thank you.

We’ll see you at the next event. Until then… keep flowering boldly.

Learn more, become a member, or view upcoming training opportunities at:
👉 www.instituteofflowers.com

We Put Flowers on the Map at Bloom 2025