3rd June 2011: Bord Bia’s Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family festival continues at the Phoenix Park Dublin today and with the sun continuing to shine, the crowds continued to flock to the event. Organisers reported another good day’s attendance with in excess of 12,000 visitors.
Visitors included Michael D Higgins, Newstalk’s Tom Dunne, snooker player Ken Doherty, musician Gemma Hayes and the Minister for Health James Reilly, TD. Dermot O’Neill and Gerry Daly delivered tips and advice on improving and enhancing gardens of all shapes and sizes on the Woodies Garden Expert Stage and cookery demonstrations were delivered by celebrity chefs Donal Skehan, Rozanne Stevens and Jenny Bristow in the new Bord Bia Food Village.
International Press
According to Bord Bia, Bloom 2011 has also attracted over 50 journalists from overseas including television crews from Dubai, China and the Netherlands. Print journalists and photographers travelled from Denmark; France; the UK; Hungary and Germany.
Floral Fashion
On the fashion front, Brendan Courtney and Sonya Lennon from Off The Rails presented an exclusive Arnotts Fashion on the Arnotts Style and Entertainment stage, showcasing this season’s key looks. Fashion show themes included floral bloom, garden party wear and ‘Lunch with the girls’.
Crafty Work
The best of Ireland’s home and crafts industry were on show in the Craft area with the Crafts Council of Ireland delivering workshops and demonstrations throughout the day. ICA Bootcamp showed passers-by the traditional skills of butter and bread making, while GIY Ireland showed members of the public how to “grow it yourself” with a series of talks and advice.
Chinese Opportunities
Bord Bia and the Chinese Embassy in Ireland will host a trade reception on the Ire-Su garden this evening. Over 150 guests are expected to attend inclduing represetnatives from The Irish Dairy Board; Rosderra Meats, Silver Hill Duck and Largo Foods. This event follows the visit of the Chinese Vice Minister for Agriculture, Mr Niu Dun to Ireland last week. Minister Niu and Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Simon Coveney, T.D., met in Farmleigh House Dublin on Sunday (28th May) to launch the development of the mutual cooperation mechanisms between both countries.
Bloom, brought to you by Bord Bia, continues daily until Monday June 6th from 10am-6pm each day.
