A tribute to beloved Limerick florist Nancy Lawless

Nancy Lawless pictured above with her adoring granddaughter Nell, who followed on her footsteps

Nancy Lawless opened the prominent city centre shop ‘Lawless Flowers’ on Roches Street in 1982

Green fingers certainly run in one Limerick family thanks to the dedication of Nancy Lawless, the founder of Lawless Flowers who sadly peacefully passed away, in the loving care of the staff at Corbally House Nursing Home, and in the presence of her adoring family on November 21^st, 2025.

Lawless Flower shop in Limerick was established in Bedford row by Nancy. She started with a little bit of money and a lot of hope. Her son Dan Lawless was always by her side to help.

Nancy opened the prominent city centre shop ‘Lawless Flowers’ on Roches Street in 1982. After many years of hard work Nancy retired. She was one of the best known and best loved florists in Limerick creating a reputation as one of the best flower shops in the country. Dan and his partner Clive run Lawless Flowers in Limerick Roche’s Street to this day.

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Nancy was more than a beloved mother and grandmother — she was a true pillar of Limerick’s community, a passionate florist, and a visionary entrepreneur. She founded Lawless Flowers in Bedford Row with little more than hope and hard work.

Nancy’s husband Pat, who passed in 2010, was a sailor who was hailed as a hero after sailing single-handedly around the globe. It had taken him three years and three days to complete and was his third attempt, the first two having ended in near disaster.

Over the years, her flower shop became one of Limerick’s most cherished institutions. Under her care, the shop grew, and later her son Dan and son in law Clive continued her legacy, running Lawless Flowers on Roches Street.

Dan started working with Nancy in the flower shop one year after she opened and has never looked back since, as he always shared his mother’s love for flowers and business. It has always been a family run business since the doors first opened and Dan takes great pride in the shop and all it has accomplished with many more great years to come.

Nancy’s granddaughter Nell Stritch has also carried on the family tradition and opened ‘Pressed Flowers by Nell’ above Lawless Flowers on Roches Street in 2020. Nell creates bespoke pieces of art devised from flower arrangements. From bouquets to corsages, to handpicked flowers from your garden, Nell creates beautiful framed pressed pieces which are the perfect gift for any occasion.

 “My uncle Dan, he owns Lawless Flowers, my mother Helen is a florist and then my great-grandmother and my great-great grandmother were both florists as well,” said Nell. 

“My nana would always be telling me how her mother was such a great florist and how they’d have beautiful flowers in the house and she used to compete in flower competitions all of the time. She used to travel up to Dublin a lot to the huge national show in Ballsbridge and she always seemed to get first place and win gold. She would have entered the Limerick show as well out in Patrickswell, all over really.”

Nell added “Looking back at what she achieved and how she live she was a true legend who was loved by so many. I loved listening to her tell stories of her mom and grandmother and how they introduced her to the beautiful primrose flower which sparked her lifelong love of flowers, respect for nature and her dedication towards building her business around flowers. I feel so lucky especially that she saw me build my business which she inspired and encouraged. I’ll miss hugging her the most and telling her how much I loved her but I’ll always speak about her and carry her legacy.”

Nancy’s love of floristry ran deep: she was a founding member of the Limerick Flower & Garden Club and competed in flower shows, winning acclaim.

Her dedication sowed seeds that bloomed not only in her business, but in her family: her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have carried forward her passion for colour, design, and community.

Nancy’s warmth, creativity, and generosity will live on in every bouquet, every shared memory, and in the heart of Limerick. Rest in peace, Nancy.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband Pat and will be sadly missed by her loving family, children Jim, Pat, Dan, John, Helen and Peter, her grandchildren, great- grandchildren, sons-in-law Mike and Clive, daughter- in-law Rita, Peter’s partner Ines, sisters Celia and Helen, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Reposing at Griffin’s Funeral Home, John’s Gate, on Monday, 24th November, from 7pm to 8.30pm. Funeral arriving to St. Mary’s Church, Athlunkard Street, on Tuesday 25th November, for Requiem Mass at 10.00am. Burial will take place in Dunquin Cemetery, Dingle, Co. Kerry. (arriving approximately at 2.30pm)