We are a group of botanical artists and other people who are interested in botanical art. In May 2012, at the invitation of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, we met together and decided to begin the process of preparing to found the Irish Society of Botanical Artists. On 1 March 2014, the Formation Meeting took place at the Visitor Centre at Glasnevin.

The Constitution of the Irish Society of Botanical Artists upholds the principle of inclusivity and to that end we welcome artists with all levels of experience and ability, as well as those who simply have an interest in this beautiful art form. We welcome contact and interaction with other botanical art societies.

In the few short years since our founding we have run two highly successful projects associated with Irish plants and Irish botanical art. The first was Aibítir/The Irish Alphabet in Botanical Art, the second was Heritage Irish Plants/Plandaí Oidhreachta. And we’re about to embark on our third project–Worldwide Day of Botanical Art 2018–this time an international project carried out in cooperation with Botanical Art societies across the world.

In addition to these large-scale projects, we run workshops, painting days and lectures for our members. Check our calendar for details of upcoming events, and check our home page to get an overview of events we have held in the past.

Our Mission Statement

‘To facilitate interaction amongst botanical artists in Ireland, and to foster and inspire their creative development.’

The ISBA greatly appreciates the continued support and encouragement of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin.

An ISBA painting weekend in Donegal

The launch of Plandaí Oidhreachta/Heritage Irish Plants in November 2016

Painting weekend in Donegal