Bord Bia Bloom returns – All you need to know: version 2023

The Bord Bia Bloom festival, Ireland’s most popular celebration of flowers, cuisine and entertainment, will return to Phoenix Park in Dublin for another exciting bank holiday weekend (June 1-5). The 2023 Bord Bia Bloom will explore a range of topics, including air quality, food waste and the benefits of outdoor play for children.

The event, which covers 70 acres of Phoenix Park in Dublin, is a unique opportunity for garden design, flower cultivation, landscaping, plant enthusiasts, garden furniture makers, food enthusiasts and garden lovers to come together.

This year’s event will feature a range of innovative show gardens, delectable local cuisine and interactive entertainment for all ages.

Bord Bia Bloom is set to draw in an impressive crowd of over 100,000 people when it returns to Phoenix Park for the June Bank Holiday weekend.

President Michael D. Higgins at the launch, Via Bord Bia Bloom Official

Announcing the launch of the 17th annual Bord Bia Bloom festival, CEO Jim O’Toole said: “Bord Bia Bloom was created to offer a world-class, uplifting and engaging showcase for Irish horticulture, food and drink.”

“Now in its 17th year, the show provides an invaluable platform to highlight important societal issues such as climate change, sustainable production and health and wellbeing.”

“We are proud to see how Bloom has evolved into a unique festival experience, with nature and sustainable living at its heart, while also continuing to offer our horticulture, food and drink clients the opportunity to showcase their latest products and innovations.”

Via FENNELL PHOTOGRAPHY, Bord Bia Bloom Official

The Beautiful Gardens

This year’s display will feature 22 individual small, medium, and large show and feature gardens, as well as nine postcard-style gardens designed and constructed by community organisations and educational institutions, many of which will be dedicated to the creation of spaces for young people.

Architects of the gardens, Via Bord Bia Bloom Official

The list of majorly featured gardens includes Beaumont Hospital’s The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) coordinating “The Know, Act, Prevent Garden”, developed in partnership with the HSA; the “First 5 Garden of Wonder and Discovery” by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, created in partnership with HSA; The “Rise Garden”, created by Oberstown Children Detention Campus; and “The Raising Amazing Garden”, made in partnership with the Department of children, equality, disability, integration and youth, and Tusla fostering.

Climate change and making the most of the outdoors are also recurring themes in show gardens in 2023, such as “A Breathing Space for Fingal” by Fingal County Council, the National Dairy Council’s “Embracing the Elements” garden; “Citroën Power of One” alternative urban front garden by Citroën, and the Green Cities Europe “Greening our Cities” garden. Many show-stopping gardens this year also use reclaimed and upcycling materials and will be moving on to permanent gardens elsewhere after the festival.

In addition to the stunning show gardens, gardeners will also be inspired by the ever-popular Postcard Gardens, which feature nine small but beautifully designed pop-ups that have been designed and constructed by community groups and schools, as well as training groups from all over Ireland.

In addition to the show gardens, there are five days of garden talks, a busy Nursery Village with a selection of some of Ireland’s best nurseries, florist displays from the country’s best floral artists and an exhibition of botanical art.

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Via Bord Bia Bloom Official

The Food Saga

The Funky Food Fleet is a new addition to the festival this year, bringing a collection of some of Ireland’s tastiest food trucks for the first time ever to the festival.

On the Quality Kitchen Stage in the heart of the Food Village, you’ll be treated to live cooking demonstrations from some of the country’s leading chefs including:

• Neven Maguire
• Catherine Fulvio
• Rory O’Connell
• Fiona Uyema
• JP McMahon
• Edward Hayden
• Brian McDermott and
• Shane Smith

Interviews with over 40 Irish food producers will also be taking place. In the newly refurbished Food Hall and the well-known Bloom Inn, more than a hundred Irish food and drink brands will be on hand to showcase their products and many brands will be launching new and exciting products.

Sample fares will also be available to the attendees from Navan’s Finnegan’s Farm, Lir chocolates, Coole Swan, Meade Farm from Lobinstown, Clarke’s Fresh Fruit from Stamullen, and YR Sauces from Ashbourne.

Via Bord Bia Bloom Official

Entertainment and Workshops

There will be a wide variety of activities for the whole family to enjoy, with the Main Stage hosting live entertainment. The ‘Budding Bloomer’ area will provide children with a range of activities to keep them entertained, such as willow weaving and planting games, as well as a toddler play area. RTÉ Jr will be at the heart of this space, with daily stories, a children’s disco and magic acts.

Martine Whelan of RTÉ Lyric Fm will be hosting a special garden party on Thursday, June 1, 10 am-12 pm, to welcome Bloom visitors. On Saturday, June 3, RTÉ “Movies and Musicals” will be broadcasted live with guest presenter Celine Byrne from 1 pm-3 pm, and on Sunday, June 4, George Hamilton will be broadcasting “The Hamilton Scores” from RTÉ’s Roadcaster, from 10 am-1 pm.

RTÉ Lyric FM’s Marty Whelan with Celine Byrne Via RTE

Lara Douglas, head of Bord Bia Bloom, has declared that the festival will be an immersive experience that will provide visitors with the opportunity to be inspired, educated and entertained.

“Bord Bia Bloom continues to adapt and evolve, and we are delighted to introduce a number of new and exciting features for 2023 including a redesign of the popular Food Village, the introduction of the Funky Food Fleet which will bring a collection of Ireland’s tastiest food trucks to the festival for the first time, and Grafton Street’s best buskers will join us to entertain the crowds”, says Lara Douglas about the festival.

“Meanwhile, we have an increased focus on sustainability content with a larger-than-ever Conservation Area and a new ‘Sustainable Living’ stage with five days of talks planned to cover everything from food waste and beekeeping to biodiversity and GIY (Grow It Yourself). We look forward to warmly welcoming visitors in just a few weeks’ time.”

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Via Theo Gibbons, Bord Bia Bloom Official

Tickets and Getting There

The tickets are available for purchase from Ticketmaster and Bloom’s official website at a price of €25 per individual, with two children under the age of 16 admitted free of charge with each adult ticket purchased.

The main entrance to Bloom is located at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre, Dublin, which is located on the Chesterfield Avenue road, which runs from the main gate at Parkgate Street to the Castleknock Gate. It is important to note that Ashtown Gate is closed during the Bloom event.

So, mark your calendars and join us at the upcoming Bord Bia Bloom Festival to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature, connect with like-minded individuals, and take part in the movement towards a more sustainable world. Whether you’re a gardening enthusiast, a food lover, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, Bloom Festival is an event not to be missed. Come and be inspired by the enchanting displays, gain valuable knowledge, and contribute to a brighter, greener future for our planet.

Remember, every small action counts. Together, we can make a difference and cultivate a more sustainable and vibrant world. See you at Bord Bia Bloom Festival 2023!