Bloom 2019 in Numbers
Commenting on the success of Bloom 2019, Tara McCarthy Bord Bia’s Chief Executive said, ‘We are proud that Bloom continues to evolve and this year’s show so accurately reflected our changing times and the mood of the nation. Important stories and conversations around the key themes of sustainability and biodiversity have taken place across nearly every aspect of the show. Our show gardens, postcard gardens and panel discussions highlighted key issues from climate change, environmentally friendly packaging and the importance of physical and mental well-being, to protecting Ireland’s indigenous bee population and the need to safeguard our marine environments.”
In keeping with the festival’s focus on recycling and sustainability, many of this year’s show gardens will be rehomed in the coming weeks and months. Linda McKeown’s gold medal winning diversity garden will relocate to Enable Ireland’s new Children’s Centre opening in Curraheen, County Cork. Other homes for the gardens include the Cuisle Centre in Portlaoise, St.Ita’s Community Hospital in Limerick and Fingal County Council parks.
Bloom 2019 in Numbers:
- Over 115,000 visitors, including 20,000 children.
- The judging panel for Bloom 2019 comprised of 14 Irish and international horticultural experts, who awarded more than 100 awards to show garden designers, amateur postcard garden designers; nurseries and floral artists
- This year’s show featured 22 show gardens, 14 postcard gardens and 28 nursery displays and a record number of 11 gold medals were awarded to show garden designers.
- More than 20,000 visitors left plants in the Plant Crèche to be cared for while they enjoyed the festival.
- Over 10,000 Irish plants were sold in the newly established Quality Mark Plant Village.
- Almost 20,000 people availed of Bord Bia’s free Shuttle Bus to and from Bloom.
- Three quarters of a tonne of strawberries were eaten in Bord Bia’s ‘7 a day’ Rainbow polytunnel and the Food Dudes Kids Zone.
- A total of 4,000 people worked onsite over the 5 days, including 200 Bord Bia volunteers.
- It will take 14 days to clear the Bloom site.
