Five Meath medal winners at Bord Bia Bloom

Garden Designer Jane McCorkell from Ashbourne has received a gold medal at Bord Bia Bloom for a large garden she designed for Fingal County Council.

Jane was one of five medal winners from Meath with other medals awarded to Riverlane Nursery, Boyne Nursery and Floral Artists Libby Redden, and Yvette Bloomfield.

As the gates opened on the first morning of Bord Bia Bloom in the Phoenix Park, Dublin today, a total of 36 medals were handed out to show gardens; plant nurseries and floral and botanical art exhibits ahead of the five-day festival which opened to the public at 9am.

The judging panels for Bord Bia Bloom includes 14 Irish and international horticultural experts judging show gardens, postcard gardens, nursery displays, and botanical and floral art.

Designer Jane McCorkell received a Gold Medal for ‘A Breathing Space for Fingal’, a large garden sponsored by Fingal County Council. The garden illustrates how outdoor activities benefit health and wellbeing and highlights how well-designed open spaces contribute positively to the ‘liveability’ of villages, towns, and cities. Featuring a vast collection of more than 3,300 perennial plants and mature trees together it creates a lush forest within Bord Bia Bloom.

Almost all construction materials used in the build of this garden are recycled or upcycled using old materials sourced from Fingal County Council’s store yard. Trees of varying heights have been carefully selected to create a dense canopy similar to those found in a wild forest. Specimens include multi-stem Cornus, birch, pine, bird cherry, and beech trees.

A total of 10 gold medals awarded to nurseries exhibiting at this year’s event. From Roristown, Trim, Riverlane Nursery received a Gold Medal for their holistic sensory experience while Boyne Nursery from Slane received a Silver-Gilt Medal in the Plant Village.

In the AOIFA Floral Art competition, two medals were awarded to local artists in ‘The Wonders of Nature’ category: Libby Redden, from Ashbourne ( Ashbourne Flower Club) received a Silver Medal in ‘The Wonders of Nature’ category. Yvette Bloomfield, from Trim (Trim Floral Art Group) received a Bronze Medal.

Jim O’Toole, Bord Bia Chief Executive, congratulated the awards winners announced today: “The medals awarded this morning is testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the Irish horticulture community and we are incredibly proud to showcase this talent. As we prepare to open the doors to Bloom 2023, I’d like to thank and acknowledge all those involved whose sheer dedication has helped Bord Bia to deliver what we believe will be a unique and truly uplifting experience for this year’s visitors.”

The festival wasofficially opened by Bord Bia Bloom patron, President Michael D Higgins, with his wife Sabina at 10am. In addition to the stunning gardens, the event offers a variety of activities and experiences including live talks across five stages, performances and activities in the Budding Bloomers Kid’s Zone, cookery demonstrations on the Quality Kitchen Stage, and musical performances.

Tickets are on sale priced from €25 per person and two children under 16 can attend for free with every adult ticket purchased.

Bord Bia Bloom continues in the Phoenix Park until Monday 5th June.