At home with.. Dan Lawless, florist
WELL known florist, Dan Lawless and his partner, Clive Cook, live in what is probably the most awesome spot in Limerick.
At 800 feet above sea level and approached by at least a mile of rhododendron hedgerows on either side, the house overlooks a lovely artificial lake with bushy islands reflected in still waters.
Below the lake, stretch the lovely woods of Glenstal, while away in the distance the city appears laid out in front of the most magnificent views of the estuary and the Kerry mountains.
Even on a hazy day, you can see Mount Brandon from the doorstep while the Slieve Felim mountains slope upwards from the back door. The mood is forever changing as the landscape reflects the varying skies.
"Clive's mother, the late Muriel Cook, who was a wonderful woman, gave us the site and she gave us her blessing," said Dan.
"If you like the countryside and wildlife, you couldn't find a better spot. We have red squirrels over there and yesterday, we looked out and saw 15 wild deer grazing down there in front of us."
Dan is a city man. He was born in Rhebogue Avenue in Corbally, and lived in a cottage in the city for several years. His mother Nancy, who is now retired, was one of the city's best known and best loved florists, and Dan has followed in her footsteps.
"She was always into flowers," he recalled. "She loved gardening and she loved arranging flowers and this interest led her to open her own shop in Bedford Row."
His father, Pat, was an intrepid sailor who made headlines back in the 1980s with solo crossings of the Atlantic and a solo circumnavigation of the globe.
Dan and Clive run "Lawless Flowers" today in Roche's Street, at a time when everyone is saying it with flowers. Flowers have become a big part of Irish life, he said. It's very romantic, but at the end of the day it's a business, Dan points out.
"It's not an easy time for any retail shops, and florists are no exception. We have to work very hard to meet new demands. You have to change and adapt and move with the times," he said.
The flowers are sourced from Holland, and arrive four or five times a week in refrigerated trucks. And while tropical and exotic blooms are becoming very popular, Dan says that the classical bouquet will never go out of fashion, and roses and peonies will always be in demand.
Weddings and special occasions are a huge part of the business now, but, says Dan, "I would treasure the person who buys a €3 bunch of flowers on a Friday evening every bit as much as a substantial wedding order. They are all our customers and they all have to be looked after."
Several years ago, when Clive's mother left them five acres of the best site ever, they started drawing and sketching the house and gardens they wanted. It was a bit ambitious, Dan admits.
"We took our drawings to Limerick architect, Seamus Carr, and he looked at us and said 'have you won the lottery or what? But when he produced the final plan for us, the lake was included," said Dan.
The house itself is full of atmosphere, with family pictures and heirlooms adding a rare old world touch. But then when you look out the window at the views, furniture becomes irrelevant.
They keep donkeys as well, and have two at the moment - a mother and foal who bray with delight when they see us. And they have two dogs, Mitzi and Molly, that they rescued and which are now part of the scenery and the furniture. "They were left literally on the doorstep as pups, and we brought them in," said Dan.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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