Bloom, officially opened by patron President of Ireland Mary McAleese today, is set to become Ireland's premier gardening showcase. With 30 stunning show gardens, 50 vibrant floral and planting displays, 70 acres of lush parkland, over 100 exhibitors and 50,000 visitors expected, Bloom, hosted by Bord Bia, is guaranteed to be a world class gardening event.
Officiating at the opening in Phoenix Park President Mary McAleese commented "Here at Bloom, the National Gardening Show, we focus on garden life and the growing love affair that we have with our own gardens. These spectacular show gardens are about firing our imaginations and showcasing the genius of our contemporary gardeners, each of whom has challenged us to think about gardens and gardening in very new and exciting ways."
Bloom is a timely event with the horticulture sector growing a massive 71% in the past four years, reflecting Irish consumers' spending habits, their move outdoors and investment in their garden.
"Over the next few days you will discover, spread across 70 acres, something new and visionary within the historic walls of the Phoenix Park. Bloom, Ireland's first world class gardening event, will be on a par with renowned UK shows, bringing together the best of Irish landscape gardeners, designers, horticultural producers, artisan crafts and food" remarked Angela Kennedy, Chairman, Bord Bia. "Thirty examples of great design will be expressed in gardens that are imaginative and practical, beautiful, environmentally aware and aesthetically pleasing."
The hard work that Ireland's top garden designers have put in to their show gardens will not go unrewarded with gold, silver and bronze awards being issued. Judging takes place today from 8am - 11am and the winners will be announced tomorrow, Friday 1st June.
Dermot O' Neill, Ireland's best loved gardening expert, will be on hand to offer plenty of advice on making the most of your garden - offering tips on everything from a small balcony space to 5 acres of lush garden. Award winning chef Neven Maguire will also be demonstrating at Bloom giving plenty of tasty advice on what's hot for alfresco dining this summer.
Along with the stunning show gardens there will be a variety of exhibits to entertain and inform including vibrant horticultural displays and cookery demonstrations by Ireland's top chefs, Bord Bia's "Horticulture for Life" exhibit outlining the importance of horticulture and how it impacts on our daily life and the economy, Pfizer will offer health checks, outdoor living will be in vogue with Tesco, Fáilte Ireland will highlight the gardens of Ireland and the Keelings display garden will appeal to anyone who is mad about flowers.
This 4 day showcase will also include daily entertainment; Ladies Day on Friday 1st June; creative workshops, exquisite arts, crafts and sculpture displays; outdoor food markets; a variety of specialty garden retail exhibits; a family ‘fun learning zone', live bee demonstrations, a 25m2 maze and Ireland's largest ever nursery and floral display.
Tickets available onsite, further information log onto www.bloominthepark.com.
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For further information or a spokesperson on Bloom 2007, please contact:
Rosaleen O'Shaughnessy, Corporate Communications, Bord Bia
01 614 2245
Rosaleen O'Shaughnessy, Corporate Communications, Bord Bia
rosaleen.oshaughnessy@bordbia.ie
01 614 2258 / 086 405 4639
Notes to Editor:
Ladies Day
Friday 1st June will be Ladies Day at Bloom 2007 in association with Dundrum Town Centre.
Bord Bia's "Horticulture for Life" Exhibit
Bord Bia will stage an exhibit outlining the importance of horticulture not only in economic terms but also on how it impacts on many aspects of our lives.
Floral Display Marquee
The floral display marquee will present an unrivalled collection of floral and planting displays, the scale of which has never been seen in Ireland before. The 50 exhibitors will provide an educational, colourful, visually delightful and sensually appealing array of plants and flowers. Both large and small nurseries are represented, alongside educational organisations and industry representative bodies such as the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI). Most notably, Kilmurry Nurseries, Ireland's first nursery to win the coveted Gold Medal award at the Chelsea Flower Show (2006), will create a large circular garden display, full of fresh and inspiring ideas to capture the imagination of the public.
Food Market
There will also be a Farmer's Market style Food Market where 40 of the country's highest quality artisan food producers will display and sell their mouth-watering products.
AIB Naturally Wild Playgarden
A fun learning zone aimed at children with a focus on the interactive engagement of visitors. This dedicated area will comprise various hands-on learning activities for kids such as a sensory garden area appealing to all the senses to interpret the importance of plants to young people and to encourage a new generation of wildlife gardeners. Designed by renowned wildlife enthusiast environmentalist Dale Treadwell, who has presented on children's television and coordinates nature programmes for schools throughout the country, the feature will be sited prominently in the meadow area adjacent to the main entrance avenue to the event.
Sculpture in Context
Displays of outdoor sculpture exhibits staged by the ‘Sculpture in Context' group, an artist's cooperative established in 1985 to raise the profile of sculpture and provide a platform for artists outside the normal gallery context. Sculpture in Context is a ‘not for profit' organisation.
Bees and Honey - Beekeepers Association
Beekeepers from the Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations will have daily demonstrations of live bees from hives of 50,000 or more. Visitors will see how bees operate as a community, in a hive, collecting nectar and pollen and processing the nectar into honey. In addition there will be information on how to become a beekeeper.
The Boyne Valley Bizzy Bee Children's Maze Garden
The Boyne Valley Bizzy Bee Children's Maze Garden is specially designed for under 12's. The maze, created from English Yew trees and designed by Paul Kavanagh and Grace Garde of www.landscape.ie , measures 45m by 45m and was commissioned by the Boyne Valley Honey Company to celebrate the launch of Pure Yummy Honey for children. It is part of the National Maze Trail Network.
Tree Trails and Treasure Hunts
Tree experts from the Tree Council of Ireland will organise and lead free "tree trails" for visitors to Bloom. Visitors will be shown how to identify the many and varied species of trees on the 70 acre visitor centre site which contribute in no small way to our ecosystem and to the uniqueness of the Phoenix Park. Treasure hunts in the woods will also appeal to the younger visitors in particular.