Speakers

Michael O'Reilly FGLDA, is a skilled garden, planting, and sustainable designer, as well as a civil engineer. He initially worked for 13 years as a contracting civil engineer/site agent supervising large schemes across the UK’ before transitioning to a founding Projects Director role , establishing and running a building and landscaping company for 17 years.

Michael’s work has included supervision & constructing bespoke homes and light civil infrastructure, alongside numerous award-winning exhibition gardens.

He studied garden design at SERC in Northern Ireland, graduating in 2009. In 2009, he established ‘The Garden Design Shop’ and, in 2010, ‘The Garden Design Clinic’. His garden design company was a shortlisted finalist in the inaugural 2023 ProLandscaper Sustainability & Biodiversity awards.

As a student, Michael earned accolades at Garden Show Ireland in 2008, winning both Silver-gilt and Gold. He continued to achieve success with Gold medals and top honours at subsequent shows in 2009 and 2014, including the RHS Climate Change-themed garden 'Hightide 2030', which won a Gold medal at RHS Tatton Park 2016. This experience gained has his show garden & competition judging roles in Ireland, NI, the UK ( RHS), Ukraine & Belarus.

Michael is known for his comprehensive understanding of concept design and construction, advocating for bold, innovative, and sustainable practices. He has designed gardens across multiple countries and is committed to giving back, having served in both the SGD ( UK) & GLDA (Irish) garden design organizations and has mentored mentoring emerging garden designers both .

His workshops, ‘The Business of Garden Design’, have reached audiences internationally delivered in Ireland, NI, UK, Ukraine and Russia & soon Saudi Arabia, where he continues to collaborate internationally, fostering creativity and sustainability in garden design.