The Bloom festival, Ireland’s largest horticultural event, commenced in Dublin’s Phoenix Park on Wednesday with the anticipation of 100,000 patrons over its five-day duration. The festival boasted the attendance of garden designers, advocates and even the Irish girl band B*Witched. Now in its 18th year, the festival opened its gates to the public on Thursday, presenting 22 different show and feature gardens representing the latest trends and innovations in garden design.
In addition to horticultural displays, the festival also hosted 100 food and drink stalls and an entertaining schedule of 200 live talks, musical shows, and demonstrations.
One of the highlight gardens, ‘Coming Home to Nature’, designed by Nicola Haines, showcases eco-friendly practices inspired by recent guidelines from Fingal County Council for developers. It proposes a unique method of biodiversity inclusion in new residential developments. The theme of the garden revolves around efficient rainwater management and run-off systems that utilise turf roofs and rainwater foliage to absorb, channel and utilise rainwater, subsequently attracting a variety of wildlife. Haines emphasised the numerous benefits for both humans and wildlife of implementing such systems, hoping visitors would appreciate the immersive experience.
Meanwhile, ‘Together We Grow’ garden was a tribute to fostering in Ireland, designed by Robert Moore for Tusla. His garden design symbolically unravels the journey of fostering in Ireland through a winding pathway through the garden. The setup combined a sombre backdrop with elements of rusty steel, symbolic of the challenges accompanying fostering. However, the vibrancy of the plantings demonstrated the prevailing feelings of hope and love. Seán Walsh, an approved foster carer, became a regular at the festival after discovering Tusla at last year’s event.
Clinton and I, now in our 60s, returned to our Irish homeland a couple of years back, following decades of living abroad,” he revealed. “Engaging in a conversation within the confines of our home, we began to introspect on our blessings and wondered if extending the warmth of our home to children would be a worthy idea.
The concept of fostering kids popped up. Although initially nothing transpired, my birthday treat to the Bloom event by my sibling played the catalyst. A visit to the Tusla stand led us to logging onto training modules and receiving appraisal from social workers, propelling this idea into reality.
Going back in time to the 80s when I left Ireland, I would not, as a homosexual, perceived the possibility of having children under my roof. Yet, decades later, I found myself living an unprecedented dream with my partner in the mesmerising beauty of Ireland, filled with a renewed sense of acceptance.”
Close by you can find the Garden Accentuating Inherited Cancer, a creation of Linda McKeown, in affiliation with the St James’s Hospital Foundation’s Brave initiative. This campaign assists in raising funds for cancer research and services.
“Gardens serve as calming retreats and restorative spaces,” expressed Ms McKeown. “The garden’s central zone is designed to cocoon you amidst foliage and flora.”
The vertical fins signify the guidance and support extended to service recipients during their journey. The garden is adorned with a double helix structure symbolising DNA, and quite a collection of therapeutic plants.”
Among the visitors, Róisín Prizeman, bearing a genetic anomaly, shared her fear of eight in ten chances of breast cancer and six in ten chances of ovarian cancer development.
Acknowledging her odds as daunting, Róisin displayed resilience as she said, “I’ve seen cancer claim numerous family members yet I consider myself fortunate for being aware of my genetic disposition and making informed decisions. Throughout my extensive journey with St James’, having undergone a bilateral mastectomy, breast reconstruction, along with numerous preventive surgeries, St James’ has provided me with exceptional care.”
She stressed on the increasing need for funding and resources in healthcare services.
Adjacent to the garden is the Sun Harness Garden. The creator, Hendrik Lepel, highlighted the garden’s principle to be about microclimates that encapsulate the sun’s energy.
“He explained that there’s a dry stone wall that has the ability to accumulate heat and gradually emit it throughout the night, aiding plant development. Additionally, there’s a suntrap that has an elevated canopy on its northern end gradually descending towards its western and eastern sides, keeping the sun ensnared there. The last component is a revolving glass pavilion, which provides an immediate sensation of a contrasting climate when entered.”