8 things to see and do at Bloom 2025

RTÉ News​

28-05-2025

A staple of the June Bank Holiday Weekend, Bord Bia Bloom is an annual extravaganza of food, fashion, flowers and craft.
Now celebrating its 19th year, Ireland's premier garden festival takes place across 70 beautiful acres of Dublin's Phoenix Park from Thursday, 29 May - Monday, 2 June.
This spectacular gardening festival is a great event for garden designers, flower lovers, landscapers, garden furniture admirers, food fanatics and anyone who loves to spend time in nature.
This year's festival will feature 21 Show Gardens, 30 live cookery demos, 40 live talks,and more than 100 of Ireland's top food and drink producers. To get you started, we've highlighted eight of our must-see spots for 2025:
1. Visit the Super Garden winner
Visit the winning garden design from this year's Super Garden!
Last night, Laois woman Debbie Brophy was crowned the winner of Super Garden 2025 thanks to her 'bee happy' wildlife garden, which was inspired by a honeybee colony that moved into her own garden.
Thanks to her win, Debbie will have her design exhibited at Bord Bia Bloom, and she is buzzing for it.
Speaking on her win, she said: "It's an immense feeling; there will be a hundred thousand people coming to see our garden and it means the world".
2. Make your garden eco-friendly
The Most Sorted Garden, sponsored by Repak, is a living, breathing showcase of the circular economy in action. Designed by award-winning garden designer James Purdy, the space will help visitors understand how to recycle better at home.
Across the five days, there will be a range of engaging and educational experiences including panel discussions, cooking demos and child-friendly workshops. Highlights include a panel discussion hosted by sustainability advocate Jo Linehan, as well as a waste-cutting cooking workshop from Donal Skehan.
For even more tips, make a beeline for the Conservation Area where you can chat with leading conservationists and environmentalists. Here you will also find the inspirational Sustainable Living Stage, which will host a packed programme of talks on a wide range of topics, from the circular economy and renewable energy to gardening with fewer chemicals and sustainable fashion advice.
3. Taste the best of Irish food and drink
The Food Hall within the Food Village features more than 100 of Ireland's artisan producers. From chocolates to cheese and oysters to teas, there is plenty to tantalise your tastebuds.
While you're there, you can pop over to Bloom Inn, where some of the country's best craft brewers and distillers are gathered.
For more delicious dining options, head to The Seafood Terrace, Country Crest Restaurant, or choose from more than 60 food trucks who are serving a wide variety of cuisines in the Picnic Area, Food Village, and Bloom's dedicated grill zone, BBQ Bliss, sponsored by Ninja Woodfire.
If you want something extra special, there is 'A Taste of Bloom', curated by Neven Maguire, which features a three-course menu designed by the MacNean House chef-proprietor to showcase some of the very best ingredients from quality Irish producers. The special package is available on Ticketmaster, priced at €79 per person, which includes entry to the festival and a three-course lunch.
4. Watch your favourite chefs and culinary stars in action
Donal Skehan, Neven Maguire, Aishling Moore and Catherine Fulvio are among a collection of culinary stars taking to the Dunnes Stores Quality Kitchen Stage this year.
With 30 live demos planned for the weekend, this is a must-see for anyone who loves to cook. Seafood fans should also check out Bloom's new Seafood Kitchen, where chef Trisha Lewis is hosting three demos each day.
5. Catch more gardening, floral art and craft demos and workshops
With 300 talks, demos, performances and workshops taking place across the Bloom weekend, there is ample opportunity to grow, taste and learn at this year's festival.
You can learn how to care for houseplants or make a floral crown in the new Botanical Hub Demo Space; discover some fascinating facts and enjoy the simulators at the Horticulture is Life area; find out how to grow abundant kitchen gardens in the Eat Well Garden; enjoy farming demos at the Agri Aware Farm; and see some of Ireland's master craftspeople demonstrate their skills in the Design & Craft Council Ireland (DCCI) Irish Craft Village. You can see the full event schedule here.
6. Visit the RTÉ stage
There is no shortage of musical entertainment planned for the Bloom weekend. Head to the Entertainment Stage to watch an eclectic collection of artists perform and make sure to stop by RTÉ's outdoor broadcast area to see your favourite presenters broadcast live, including Louise Duffy, Derek Mooney, Philip Boucher-Hayes, Marty Whelan, Simon Delaney and more. You can see RTÉ's full programme here.
7. Invest in some top-tier plants
Whether you're a budding gardener or a veteran plant parent, visit the Nursery Village and The Plant Emporium for some retail therapy. If you buy too many to carry, fear not. You can store them in the Plant Crèche, sponsored by Certa Renewables, until it's time to go home.
If plants aren't your thing, head to the Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) Irish Craft Village. Here, you'll find a selection of Ireland's most talented craftspeople showcasing their wares in a charming village of 38 tents. There will also be workshops, demonstrations, and drop-in craft activities for all the family.
8. Have fun with your Budding Bloomers
The Budding Bloomers Children's Area is perfect for little ones. There will be face painting, crafting, and a rip-roaring lineup of performances from some of Ireland's favourite children's entertainers.
Elsewhere in the festival, children can visit the Phoenix Park Playground, the Agri Aware Farm. and get their hands dirty in the Westland Horticulture Potting Shed. Remember, two children aged 16 and under can enter for free with every adult ticket.
Getting there
If you plan on attending, be sure to visit the Plan Your Day section of the Bloom website to get the most out of your trip.
Visitors are encouraged to take public transport to the festival when possible. A regular, free shuttle bus is available to take visitors from Parkgate Street, next to the Luas Red Line and Heuston Station, to the festival's entrance on Chesterfield Avenue.