Bloom 2016 opened to the public in the Phoenix Park, Dublin yesterday and organisers are expecting over 100,000 visitors to attend over the five days.
Since the first year of the festival in 2007, the show has doubled in size to a 70ac site.
In addition to the showgardens and floral displays, Bord Bia’s Bloom 2016 festival includes more than 100 Irish food and drink producers, 200 retailers and 50 of Ireland’s top nurseries, all providing gardening tips, artisan food, craft beer.
The judging panel awarded a total of 57 medals to show garden designers and nurseries including; 24 gold, 12 silver gilt, 13 silver and eight bronze.
The Across Boundaries garden won a gold medal at Bloom, which is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, IFA, NDC and Leitrim Development Company.
The garden was designed by Barry Kavanagh and it expresses how social farming can play a vital role in the therapy of participants within the healthcare system.
Speaking earlier this week, Bloom Manager, Gary Graham, said that everyone in Bord Bia, and all those who are involved in the show in some way, have worked especially hard this year to ensure visitors enjoy the 10th Bloom festival more than ever.
“While this is very much Bord Bia’s event, we could not put it together without the support of so many people.”
Hundreds of workers have been helping to build Bloom over the past 30 days, while more than 4,000 people, including 200 volunteers, will work onsite over the five days.
“As Bord Bia’s flagship horticulture and food event, Bloom provides us with the ultimate platform to showcase some of Ireland’s most talented garden designers, horticulturists and food and drink producers.”
For further information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Bloom website. There is no entry charge for children under 16 years of age.