Bord Bia has announced the final line-up for the 20th annual Bloom festival, and there is plenty to celebrate.?With a host of new features, expert talks and immersive experiences taking place, Bord Bia Bloom’s landmark 20th year promises five unforgettable days in the Phoenix Park, Dublin.?
A total of 11 exhibitors from Galway are set to?participate?in this year's event.??
Gardening galore
The festival expects to welcome?over 100,000 visitors?over its five days, which will play host to?20?spectacular new Show Gardens at the centre of the experience.
Green-fingered?attendees?can also enjoy the perfectly formed petite Postcard Gardens supported by?Tirlán?CountryLife,?with two gardens from Galway groups. The Bat Corridor by Oranmore Tidy Towns?will demonstrate how native Irish planting and protected darkness can support wildlife. East Galway and South Roscommon’s Celtic Eye Art Group and Karst Farming Network will be designing the Yellow Meadow Kingdom Postcard Garden. This anthill garden will celebrate the vital role the yellow meadow ant plays within the Karst landscape.
The?Nursery Village?will welcome leading plant experts, and attendees can also enjoy live demonstrations and interactive workshops, including floral crown?making in the Botanical Hub,?and exhibitions of botanical and floral art and AOIFA’s (Association of Irish Floral Artists ) Floral Art Competition.????
Craft village
DCCI Irish Craft Village returns to this year's festival, with designers, makers and craftspeople presenting and selling their work to an expected audience of over 100,000 visitors, who can discover thoughtfully made, locally produced pieces while supporting Irish businesses through the Made Local initiative.
The craft village will feature a range of Galway makers including Catherine O'Connor of Bofin Weaves, Lorraine Fletcher Art, Henri Bocxe of Thin Line Coastal Maps, and Laura Maye of Wild Irish Kin metalworking.
Food glorious food?
There is much to?enjoy?at this year’s festival, with three indoor restaurants and three outdoor catering areas serving Bord Bia Quality Assured produce, along with the Food Village which features more than 100 of Ireland’s best artisanal food and drink producers.
From?Galway,?Athenry’s Nibbed and Foods of Athenry?will be?exhibiting. The county will also be represented by Ballybrit’s Grá Chocolates, Builín Blasta, Gran Grans Foods, Loughnane’s of Galway from Tuam, Galway City’s Tribe Gin, Micil Distillery and Ahascragh Distillery.
A Taste of Bloom, curated by Neven Maguire is returning to this year’s festival in the flagship Garden View?Restaurant, featuring a three-course menu?showcasing some of the finest ingredients from quality Irish producers. The Taste of Bloom package is available to?purchase?on Ticketmaster.?
“Bord Bia Bloom provides attendees with countless opportunities to grow, taste and learn, and to mark its 20th year, we have a brilliant programme planned," said Laura Douglas, Bord Bia's head of Bloom and brand partnerships. "With 20 spectacular Show gardens, a new wellness area, and experiences that celebrate gardening, quality food and drink and sustainable living, there is something to suit everyone.
“For younger visitors, there’s plenty to enjoy too, with a range of fun, educational and interactive workshops at the?Budding Bloomers area, and?the RTÉ Stage will provide entertainment throughout the festival, featuring a variety of its most-loved programming and live musical performances to keep attendees of all ages a-buzz."
Bord Bia Bloom will take place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin from Thursday, May 28?to Monday, June 1?from 9am to 6pm each day. Head to bordbiabloom.com to book your tickets and start planning your visit.??Tickets are priced at €35 per adult, €30 for concessions (plus booking fee ). Up to two children aged 16 and under can enter for free with every adult ticket (additional?child tickets €5 (plus booking fee ) making Bloom?a great day?out for all the family.??
