Today is Mothering Sunday (in Ireland, Britain and Nigeria), a time to celebrate the role of mothers, and what better way to celebrate it than by a good country walk followed by exquisite flower arrangements in the setting of an 18th century castle by the sea.

This was the Spring Flower Show by Naul Gardening and Flower Club, a tiny village in north Co Dublin, whose leading light is florist Christopher White. The arrangements were displayed in the beautiful formal rooms of Ardgillan Castle.

Above us shone the lovely chandeliers, with ceiling roses reflecting the floral abundance below.

There were various classes – succulents, vegetables, pot plants, simple spring flowers.

But of course the most exquisite were in the Flower arranging section.

The scent of Spring flowers was intense.

I love flowers in the house but I’m sometimes disappointed with my efforts – don’t have the right vessels, oases etc – so increasingly I like to study others’ superior displays.

The principles of successful flower arranging are similar to those of garden design :

• Balance
• Contrast
• Colour
• Proportion

The lovely ladies who manned the Show confided that this was just a small outing for the Club – they have won medals at Chelsea – and their major Show is in September. Can’t wait.

Meanwhile, Ireland will be hosting the World Flower Show, ‘A Floral Odyssey’, in Dublin in June… and I can’t wait for that either.