Bloom – Ireland’s Top Floral, Food & Family Festival returns this June Bank Holiday
Bord Bia has announced the return of Bloom, its hugely successful gardening, food and family festival, which will take place in the Phoenix Park, Dublin this June Bank Holiday weekend. The popular event, which is now in its sixth year, attracted more than 90,000 people last year. This year Kildare will be well represented with four food companies, four nurseries and two Garden Designers creating two of the 27 show-gardens at the event. Bloom 2012 will run over five days, from Thursday 31st May – Monday 4th June on a 70-acre site at the Visitors Centre in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins will officially open Bloom on Thursday 31st May in his first appearance as Bloom Patron.
Details of the Kildare representatives at Bloom are as follows:
Kildare Show-Garden Designers:
- Andy Kelly from Prosperous will design a garden called ‘Starberry Paradise Garden' sponsored by The Blueberry Growers Association
- David Shorthall from Carberry will design a garden called 'Changing Perceptives' in association with the Rehab Group
Kildare Nurseries on display in the Nursery Marquee
- Flannerys Nurseries Ltd from Staplestown
- Garden Direct from Ballyteague
- Herb's on Thyme from Rathangan
- Doran Nurseries from Donadea
Kildare Food Companies in the Food Village
- Trouble Brewing from Allenwood will be on show in the Bloom Inn
- Jane Russell's Original Irish from Kilcullen will be on show in the Artisan Food Market
- Irish Blueberry Growers Association from Allenwood will be on display in the ‘Best in Season’ Fresh Produce Market
- Brady Family Donadea will be on display in the Meat and Fish Market
This year’s event will also offer expanded walking space in which to enjoy the spectacular show gardens, food and family features. Gary Graham, Bloom Show Manager, Bord Bia said “Tomorrow (Wednesday 9th May) marks the first day of the Bloom build for the garden designers involved in this year’s event. There is a huge amount of work involved in creating magnificent show-gardens which will form the centre-piece of the event for visitors to enjoy. This year, gardens will incorporate topical, human interest themes such as sustainability, the impact of immigration and the importance of Irish culture.”
Bloom Show–Gardens
The Bloom 2012 gardens range from veteran Bloom garden designer Fiann O’Nuallain’s “Stream of Consciousness” garden which will include dramatic water features, lighting and a host of performers throughout the event, to new garden designer, Kate Kurevleva from Bray, Co. Wicklow who is creating a traditional Japanese garden featuring Irish moss. A number of charities are also on board working with Bloom garden designers to bring important social issues to the public’s attention. These include the National Council for the Blind (NCBI), Rehab Group, Amawele and Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. The winner of RTE’s Super Garden show will also be revealed at Bloom. (See www.bloominthepark.com for the full list of this year’s designers).
Bord Bia Food Village
For food lovers, Bord Bia is building on the success of the popular Food Village which was introduced last year, with an even bigger showcase planned for 2012. Built around a central dining area, the Bord Bia Food Village will bring together all aspects of the food chain into one place where visitors can learn more about food and its origin by paying a visit to the Bloom Farmyard, in association with Agri-Aware.
Visitors will have the opportunity to sample and purchase a wide range of top quality food including: fresh Bord Bia Quality Assured produce at the Meat, Poultry & Fish Marquee and “Best in Season” fresh produce market; the finest artisan foods Ireland has to offer at the Artisan Food Market and Artisan Caterers Street Food stalls; and complimenting the wonderful food, the popular “Bloom Inn” will be offering craft beers and whiskey.
At the centre of the Bord Bia Food Village, the Chef’s Summer Kitchen will host live cooking demonstrations from some of Ireland’s much loved chefs such as Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio, Donal Skehan and Rozanne Stevens. The events will be hosted by TV presenter and foodie, Ella McSweeney who will also interview Irish food producers throughout the weekend.
Gardening Delights
Green-fingered visitors can pick up tips and advice at the Woodies Expert Garden Stage which will feature talks from gardening expert Gerry Daly, Mick Kelly from GIY Ireland and Paddy Gleeson, RTE’s Super Garden Judge. They can also learn about the art of flower arranging at the AOIFA (Association of Irish Floral Artists) stage and seek advice and purchase domestically grown plants from the abundance of nurseries exhibiting in the floral marquee.
Family Fun at Bloom
Bloom is a family friendly event with many interactive child-orientated features and best of all children can enter for free! The ‘Budding Bloomers’ kids zone will contain a vibrant mixture of fun and educational features including a daily Teddy Bear’s Picnic hosted by Hamley’s; the Food Dudes characters who will be hosting games based on children getting their five fruit and vegetables a day; The Garden School who will be teaching visitors how to plant and sow; Buds’ in Bloom who will provide a covered natural sand play area; One Family and the National Association of Childcare Committees who will offer support and advice to families; and a children’s stage with a fantastic range of acts.
Additional family activities include TreeCareIreland who will demonstrate and showcase tree-climbing skills while promoting proper tree care and hosting tree-climbing competitions. The Crafts Council of Ireland will host craft demonstrations, craft workshops and a dedicated craft retail area.
The picnic area surrounding the Main Stage promises to be a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoyment with various musical artists entertaining visitors from mid-morning to late afternoon, for the duration of Bloom.
Sponsors
New and returning sponsors for this year’s event include Fáilte Ireland, Love Irish Food, Bord Na Móna, Irish Times, OPW, Rehab, Woodies, Nissan LEAF, Viking, Robert Roberts, Atlantis, Popcorn Ireland, Newstalk, Irish Greyhound Board, Universal Studios, Bewleys Hotel, Lyric FM and Glenisk.
Tickets are on sale now starting at €15 and children go free! Intending visitors are encouraged to book early for discounted rates by visiting www.bloominthepark.com.
You can follow Bloom 2012 on www.facebook.com/bloominthepark and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Bloom2012.