It’s back! Dublin’s Phoenix Park is buzzing in anticipation of the Bord Bia Bloom festival which takes place next week from Thursday 2nd June – Monday 6th June. The much-loved outdoor festival, now in its sixteenth year, will be held in-person following two successful virtual #BloomAtHome events. In the lead up to the event, we’ve captured 10 things to see and do at Bord Bia Bloom!
- Taste the best of Irish – The Food Village will welcome over 80 of Ireland’s leading food producers, from chocolate to smoked salmon, cheese to beetroot juice, artisan sausages, fresh vegetables and meats, coffee and jams – it will be a feast for the senses! The Bloom Inn will once again showcase the best of craft spirits and brews. Meet the people behind new and familiar products; and enjoy sampling on the go. Make sure to keep an eye out for new products launching exclusively at Bord Bia Bloom, you won’t want to miss out!
- See the spectacular show gardens – Described as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of Bord Bia Bloom, 19 stunning show gardens will once again form the centrepiece of this year’s event. The show gardens are one of the most popular attractions, not only as a source of inspiration, but also entertainment through imaginative story-telling and creative concepts and addressing important local and global issues such as the environment, human health, sustainable food production and housing. There will be special guests, panel discussions and musical performances happening at the gardens throughout the event.
- Soak up the buzz! – The ‘Bloom’ bank holiday weekend usually brings sunshine to the Phoenix Park, so soak up the rays and enjoy dining al fresco with the sounds of the YouBloom live music stage; or Lyric FM’s live broadcasting, all while you stroll through the spacious 70-acre site. With 110,000 visitors expected over its five days, it will be a hive of activity!
- Enjoy the Arts – Returning for a seventh year, The Sculpture Garden celebrates Irish art, design and craftsmanship with over 60 pieces of sculpture showcased in a garden setting. Curated by Ruth Liddle and Ken Folan from the Kildare Gallery at Carton House, this year’s exhibition includes themes of wild swimming, wildlife and the colour orange which is the colour of innovation and joy! Or browse the Botanical and Floral Art in Bloom Exhibition, an open submission of beautiful botanical and floral art.
- Live cookery demonstrations – The Quality Kitchen stage will host some of Ireland’s leading chefs including Neven Maguire, Rory O’Connell, Fiona Uyema, Catherine Fulvio, Edward Hayden, Gary O’Hanlon, Shane Smith, Mark Moriarty, JP McMahon and Brian McDermot who will be cooking up a storm with seasonal summer recipes. That’s not all though, stop by the Eat Well Kitchen Garden, a new feature garden at this year’s event, and sample dishes from chefs including Kwanghi Chan and Niall Sabongi; or learn more about Ireland’s food culture and cuisine from food historian Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire.
- Experience a workshop – The Irish Craft Village brings together some of Ireland’s most creative designers and makers. Experience the magic of seeing a skilled craftsperson transform raw materials into a finished design before your eyes and take home a piece of Ireland’s living design culture. A delight for young and older eyes! Or visit the Conservation Zone, where 12 charities and organisations will host talks and workshops over the weekend. Some highlights here include the Irish Woodland Trust and the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
- Get green-fingered – visit the Nursery Village to see the wonderful displays from 18 Irish and International plant nurseries, from exotic ferns to dahlias and other specialist varieties which will be available for purchase. Irish-grown plants are also available to buy at the Quality Mark Plant Village. Top tip: You can leave any plants or flowers you buy at the Plant Creche while you explore the rest of the show. Looking for some expert advice? The Plant Clinic returns this year to answer garden queries and if that wasn’t enough, The Garden & Sustainable Living stage will host a diverse range of speakers talking about biodiversity, sustainable living, and the holistic benefits of gardening.
- Go shopping – The Grand Pavillion will welcome over 160 retailers that have everything you need to enjoy your garden and home; from BBQ’s to furniture, electrics and even decorative pottery; while exhibitors at the Outdoor Retail Area will be on hand for hard landscaping and building needs. Pick up artisanal crafts at the Irish Craft Village, something to savour at the Food Village or new garden additions at the Plant Village.
- Postcard gardens – The small, but perfectly formed Postcard Gardens are a cherished feature at Bloom. This year, nine Dublin community groups including two schools have created the amateur gardens that are sure to engage. The designs will tell stories of biodiversity; mental health and wellbeing; addiction; literacy and accessibility and even how one community coped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Bring the family – Don’t forget, each adult ticket includes a pass for two children! There’s a host of activities to capture the imagination; the Food Dudes Budding Bloomers Stage will have a vibrant mix of interactive, education and most importantly FUN activities throughout the weekend covering everything from bubbles to bees; food to literature. The Minions Garden and Beauty & The Beast Musical Garden will evoke a sense of childlike wonder while visiting the show garden area. Any budding chefs will enjoy watching the competition winners aged 8-14 years old who will learn to cook on stage with Quality Kitchen favourite, Chef Neven Maguire on the Saturday and Sunday of the event.
It’s time to plan your visit, see information on tickets and transport below:
Tickets
Bord Bia is advising people to plan ahead and book tickets in advance to ensure they can attend on their preferred day over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Visit bordbiabloom.com to book tickets today.
Getting there
- Shuttle Bus: Leave the car at home – Bord Bia is running a free return shuttle bus service with collection from Parkgate Street to Bloom runs every 20-minutes from 8:30am – 7pm daily.
- By Bike: There will be an increased number of bicycle parking spaces in each car park where bikes can be safely parked and locked.
- By Car: Parking is available for a daily rate of €5. There are two car parks (red and green) available for those who wish to drive. See bordbiabloom.com for further information
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