Over 100,000 people are expected to descend on the Phoenix Park between Thursday, June 2 and Monday, June 6 for Bloom 2016.
The evolution of plants, the war in Syria and international gardens from Chicago, China and Chile are just some of the themes and inspirations for this year’s Bloom festival.
According to the organisers, this year’s show will have something for all ages and interests.
This year’s bespoke garden creations will include; a 1916 garden installation called Bullets and Boiled Sweets designed to commemorate the centenary, a garden to support the launch of the new Tarzan movie and a garden highlighting the importance of mental health.
Speaking at the launch of Bloom 2016, Gary Graham, Bord Bia’s Bloom Manager said that Bord Bia is delighted to mark Bloom’s 10th anniversary this year and they are proud of how the event has evolved over the years.
“We are working hard to ensure that visitors are in for a real treat in this our special celebratory year. Once again, the Bloom audience can expect to see breath-taking show gardens, sample some of Ireland’s finest food and enjoy wonderful entertainment, shopping and plenty of lively debate.”
While gardens from Chicago and the Chinese city of Yangzhou will add an exciting international dimension this year, we will also be celebrating our tenth birthday with a number of new and exciting features.
Bord Bia has said that this year’s show will include 23 show gardens often referred to as the jewel in the crown of the Bord Bia festival.
Organisations such as Marie Keating Foundation, GOAL, and St. John of God Hospital have also teamed up with designers to create gardens with powerful messages around social and cultural issues.
Other designer gardens include the UCD Evolution of Land Plants Garden which will allow visitors to walk with plants through a half billion years of evolutionary history and a ‘Face-to-Face’ garden will aim to reconnect us with our environment in the age of 24/7 “always on” social media.
Highlights at Bloom 2016:
- Home to over 100 food stalls, gastronomic delights and palette pleasers, the Food Village at Bloom will offer a wide range of artisan produce on sale and onsite dining options. Guests can also dine at Bistro Bloom or visit the Country Crest restaurant and Farm Shop.
- A new BBQ area will help whet appetites while the Bloom Inn will feature a wide range of Irish craft beers and spirits. There’ll also be a selection of gourmet farmhouse cheeses, supplied by the Association of Irish Farmhouse Cheesemakers.
- This year’s GIY Zone will the biggest to date and includes a new Food Matters stage. Home to daily workshops, discussion and debate, the new hub will bring together Ireland’s leading food writers, chefs, nutritionists, healthcare experts and journalists. Topics will include how to make workplaces healthier and happier, the future of organic farming, school dinners and the real costs of cheap food to mention but a few.
- Bord Bia’s new Origin Green Experience, located within the Food Village, is a must-do at Bloom 2016. By 2050, the global population will have risen by 2050, presenting a huge challenge for food production. Bord Bia is inviting visitors to learn more about the Irish food and drink industry and how they are fast becoming world leaders in sustainable food production.
- This year the Banter at Bloom marquee will host six talks daily over the 5 day festival. Chaired by Jim Carroll, the Banter marquee will host a series of discussions, talks, and conversations on topical issues around food, sustainability, agriculture, and everything in between.
- The Craft and Design Council of Ireland return with the Irish craft village while shoppers will spoilt for choice with over 200 retail stands onsite.
Tickets are on sale now and visitors are encouraged to book early for discounted rates by visiting the Bloom in the Park website.
