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02nd Jun 2017

5 Reasons You Need To Check Out The Bloom Festival This Weekend

James Fenton

If you’re still looking for a way to spend the Bank Holiday weekend, look no further than Bloom 2017 in the Phoenix Park. 

Now it its 11th year, the Bloom Festival has grown from a means for horticulturalists to showcase their talents to a much-anticipated annual platform for gardeners, chefs, craftspeople and many more.

Given the variety of sights, tastes and activities on offer, there is something for visitors of all ages and a memorable day out is guaranteed. 

It all kicked off on Thursday and runs all the way to Bank Holiday Monday. Day tickets for an adult cost €20 and can be purchased here. Children under 16 can go for free. 

If we haven’t convinced you already, here’s some reasons why you should attend:

1. Food

Given that the event is sponsored by Bord Bia, there’ll be no shortage of delicious grub on offer. Over 100 stalls will set up camp in the food village.

There’ll also be 25 live cookery demonstrations from a number of Ireland’s top chefs including Neven Maguire, Catherine Fulvio and Rory O’Connell.

2. The picture-perfect scenery

Top class gardening is still the heartbeat of Bloom and there be plenty for you to throw your eye over. 

13 ‘postcard gardens’ will be set up, each with a different message reflecting some of the key issues that we’re faced with day to day.

3. Celeb spotting

A number of famous faces will be wandering around the grounds including Olympic medalists Gary and Paul O’Donovan, TV presenters Marty Morrissey and Jacqui Hurley and plenty more.

You might even spot the man himself, President Higgins.

Check out the full programme here. 

4. It’s fun for all ages

Don’t worry about leaving the kids at home as there’s plenty of entertainment to keep them happy. There will be special performances from RTÉ Jr on Saturday and Sunday. 

5. Music

Every afternoon will see a mesmerising performance from the RTÉ Lyric FM Quartet while there are plenty more music sessions across the weekend. 

READ NEXT: Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Forbidden Fruit 2017

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