Wednesday, 1st May 2013
Bord Bia is delighted to announce that a submission by Waterford Garden Designer Gerard Mullen has been given the Bloom judge’s seal of approval and will feature at the Bloom 2013 festival this June bank holiday. The event – which attracted some 80,000 visitors last year – will take place at the Phoenix Park in Dublin from Thursday May 30th to Monday June 3rd.
Gerard, from Dungarvan, has won several awards and international recognition with two previous Gold medals at Bloom in 2007 and 2008. He will create a Large Garden called ‘Venture into the Wild’ in association with Waterford City Council. The design was inspired by the Comeragh mountains in Co. Waterford.
Gary Graham, Bloom Show Manager, Bord Bia said “Bloom is now in its seventh year and, as always, we have a range of stunning showgardens for the public to enjoy. The gardens have been created by top horticultural talents both from Ireland and abroad and while much of the focus this year is around the areas of sustainability and recycling, there’s also a good mix of fun, food and fashion. I hope visitors to Bloom 2013 will be both entertained and inspired by the beauty of what’s on display.”
Features Attractions at Bloom 2013
The hugely popular Bord Bia Food Village will once again offer visitors the opportunity to sample some of the finest artisan foods produced around the country. At the Bord Bia Quality Kitchen stage, we’ll be joined by some of Ireland’s best loved chefs with live cooking demonstrations from the likes of Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio, Martin Shanahan and Donal Skehan, among others. Meanwhile, fans of craft beer and whiskey will enjoy a visit to the ‘Bloom Inn’ and cheese lovers will appreciate that Bloom will host the Irish Cheese Awards for the first time this year.
Because it’s a family event, kids go free to Bloom and there will be a variety of entertainment options for all the family to enjoy including music and a dedicated children’s play zone with games and activities.
A new feature from Active Retirement Ireland will include fitness and exercise displays, an outdoor bowls green, bird box making and flower arranging. In-keeping with tradition, the Bloom showgardens will be complemented by a spectacular floral pavilion, featuring displays of the best of Irish flowers and plants while leading experts in the horticulture, gardening and floristry industries will appear on the Garden Expert Stage.
Other new features this year include an expanded ‘concept garden space’ allowing garden designers to explore creative ideas, ‘postcard garden exhibitions’ created by community garden groups from all around Ireland and a Botanical Art Exhibition.
Gary Graham added “There really is something for everyone to enjoy at Bloom 2013 – whether it’s flowers, food, music, crafts or family time. The involvement of organisations like the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, the Asperger Association of Ireland and Our Lady’s Hospice with show gardens ensures that Bloom is used, as it should be, to fully engage with the public and to bring important issues to their attention.”
Sponsors
New and returning sponsors for this year’s event include the Irish Independent, Fáilte Ireland, Love Irish Food, OPW, Woodies, Bord na Móna, Dublin City Council, Calor Gas and Keelings.
Tickets are on sale now and intending visitors are encouraged to book early for discounted rates by visiting http://www.bloominthepark.com
Follow Bloom 2013 on http://www.facebook.com/bloominthepark
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