Over 1,000 nurserymen, garden centre operators, landscapers, groundsmen, arborists and other professionals from the leisure horticulture industry gathered at the annual GLAS horticulture trade exhibition, held at Dublin’s Citywest Convention Centre on Thursday the 21st July.
Supported by Bord Bia, GLAS showcased the best in leisure horticulture, plants, products, machinery and services. This year's event had 130 participating companies, featured buyer meeting-rooms and welcomed both local and international buyers. With the addition of the Teagasc seminar theatre, GLAS has added a new learning experience, further enhancing its importance in the horticultural sector calendar.
GLAS was very well-received by visitors who were impressed by the excellence of the exhibits and the very considerable effort required to mount such large, colour-filled displays. The event was also a great opportunity to meet and share information with industry colleagues, gain new ideas and identify new products for resale.
During the show, Andrew Doyle, TD, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture visited the venue, met with many of the exhibitors and presented the Best-in-Show Awards for the Best New Plant category.
A panel of judges awarded accolades for Best New Product and Best New Plant, as well as nominating ‘Best in Show’ exhibitors in the Horticulture and Product categories.
John Murphy of Annaveigh Plants, Co. Tipperary, received the ‘Best New Plant 2016’ Award for quercus palustris, or ‘Green Pillar’.
Liam MacMahon of National Agrochemical Distributors Ltd. Co. Dublin, received the ‘Best New Product 2016’ Award for Finale 150 Herbicide.
Richard, Valerie and Jack McMullen, the team at Ben Vista Nurseries, Co. Antrim, won ‘Best in Show’ award in the Plant Display category for their outstanding nursery exhibit.
The team at Bord na Móna, received the ‘Best in Show’ award in the Product Display category. The award was received by John Hogan, Brendan Howell, Anna Kavanagh and Jonathan O’Reilly on behalf of Bord na Móna.
The 2017 event will take place on Thursday, July 20th, at the Citywest Convention Centre. Grow along with GLAS by following the show on Twitter: https://twitter.com/glasireland
Full details are available at www.glasireland.ie