Latest news with #BordBiaBloomFestival
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Healy-Rae launches report on horticulture education
Minister of State with responsibility for horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, has launched a report into the available of courses for studying horticulture. The Horticulture Education Review Report was launched at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival by the minister today (Friday, May 30). The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that the report delivers on a strategic action in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, which includes a commitment to review horticulture course availability and suitability for a modern dynamic industry. The report includes a number of recommendations, including the establishment of a new committee called the Horticulture Education Leadership Group (HLEG). This committee would be tasked with assisting with reviews of horticultural educational content at all levels. That committee would also be tasked with preparing material that can be used by education providers and industry stakeholders to promote and market horticulture as an attractive and rewarding career. The HLEG committee should also work on an all-Ireland basis to share information on horticulture promotion. Commenting on the new report, Minister Healy-Rae said: 'I would like to thank the authors of the report, Dr. Owen Doyle and Brian Arnold for their work in completing this important review. 'The recommendations in the report set out clear actions for the horticulture sector to take forward to enhance its attractiveness as a future career choice. 'Launching the report at Bloom 2025 is particularly relevant as we celebrate and showcase all that is great about our horticulture sector, from gardens, plants and food produce; including its skilled professionals – landscape gardeners, florists, commercial growers, farmers, academics, advisors and scientists – the key foundation on which the horticulture industry is built,' the minister added. He thanked the horticulture industry, retailers and education providers for their engagement on the report. 'The recommendation to establish a new Higher Education Leadership Group that will input into the curriculum content and coordinate advocacy campaigns will be key to inspiring the next generation of horticulturists into this important and dynamic sector,' Minister Healy-Rae said. He added: 'I particularly welcome the focus on a 'global horizon' ensuring that our future graduates at all levels will have the required knowledge and skills to further advance sustainable practices and drive continued innovation in the sector.'
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Award winning Leitrim garden designer takes gold medal for unique entry at Bord Bia Bloom
Leonie Cornelius, an award-winning garden designer based in North Leitrim, has been honoured with a gold medal at the 2025 Bord Bia Bloom Festival in Dublin for her medium garden titled Nourish – The Caragh Nurseries Garden. This is her sixth show garden for Bord Bia Bloom. Leonie has won numerous medals and awards at Bord Bia Bloom, including a gold medal for last year's Óir, the Zarbee's Garden. Her entry this year is a collaboration with Caragh Nurseries and the courtyard-style garden blends architecture with wild nature to reconnect us with ourselves and the rhythms of the natural world. Drawing inspiration from Mediterranean living and ancient herbal traditions, Nourish features a sensory apothecary room surrounded by climate-resilient, edible, and ornamental planting. The garden invites visitors to slow down, restore, and rediscover pleasure in nature. With a focus on sustainable design and emotional nourishment, this immersive space is a powerful response to the demands of modern life. Showcasing bespoke elements from Caragh Nurseries and its outdoor brand, Finn & Elder, Nourish is both a visual and visceral experience – an inspiring blueprint for living in harmony, grounded in nature. Leonie Cornelius is an award-winning garden designer, interior architect, and bestselling author whose work explores the deep connection between nature, design, and wellbeing. Inspired by her childhood in Germany and time spent living on a Greek island and in the south of France, she blends Mediterranean influences with Irish landscapes to create soulful, sensory-rich gardens. Her designs celebrate slow living, seasonal rituals, and emotional restoration. Through her Nourish garden, Leonie invites visitors to reconnect – with themselves, each other, and the wild rhythms of the natural world. After Bloom, Nourish garden's plants will be relocated to Caragh Nurseries' wellbeing garden after the festival, ensuring their continued growth and contribution to a nurturing environment. Caragh Nurseries in County Kildare spans over 60 acres, offering exceptional trees, plants, and bespoke garden design, alongside exclusive pots, lighting, and furniture – creating complete, beautifully tailored outdoor spaces.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘It's given me loads of ideas' – Retiring Peter O'Mahony lands new gig as Munster hero eyes up post-rugby life
PETER O'Mahony may not be retired quite yet, but he's already landed a new gig that's "given me loads of ideas to crack on with". He and wife Jessica have come onboard with Kerrygold's increased involvement in this year's Bord Bia Bloom Festival from May 29-June 2. 8 The couple are supporting Kerrygold's increased presence at this year's Bloom Festival 8 Peter is well-known for having green fingers 8 Spouse Jessica looked radiant in spring colours 8 The 35-year-old played his last home game on May 16 and is now embarking on a road URC play-off run For the first time ever, Kerrygold will host a 'Nature Wrapped in Gold' show garden at this year's edition. This debut deepens the brand's celebration of Irish farming, sustainability, and simple everyday pleasures. The golden theme of the garden reflects the precious habitat that supports diverse wildlife, and evokes the rolling pastures of the Golden Vale. The 'Nature Wrapped in Gold' garden was designed by Ailish Drake and Conor Hourigan, founders of award-winning architecture and landscape design practice Drake Hourigan Architects. Read More On Irish Sport The Kerrygold garden holds a special place in Ailish's heart, as she grew up on a dairy farm in the heart of the Golden Vale where her brother Liam continues to farm today. Enclosed within a golden-flecked boundary wall with a verdant green undulating strip, the garden is reminiscent of Kerrygold's deep connection to Irish farming. The garden provides shelter for native wildlife with its habitat tower made from Douglas fir, which invites birds, bees, butterflies, moths and bats to inhabit the garden. Featuring a mix of pollinator-friendly native and non-native perennials and grasses to encourage biodiversity and plant reproduction. Most read in Rugby Union Many of the plants were grown by the designers themselves in County Limerick, grounding the project in authentic Irish soil. In creating a show garden at this year's Bord Bia Bloom, Kerrygold is expressing its brand purpose. 'Jack Crowley he's coming for you' jokes Peter O'Mahony's wife Jess as son practices his rugby skills That is to inspire moments of simple pleasure along life's journey by celebrating the natural Irish landscape, rich biodiversity, and the grass-fed roots that have shaped the quality and character of its dairy from the very beginning. In addition to the garden, Kerrygold will also be giving away 60,000 samples of its famous butter and cream cheese offering visitors a true taste of its grass-fed goodness. Rugby legend Peter and wife Jessica were on hand to launch the Nature Wrapped in Gold Kerrygold garden at Bord Bia Bloom. As a keen gardener himself, Peter said: 'As someone who loves their garden at home, it's a pleasure to see what Kerrygold and the design team have created for their garden at Bord Bia Bloom. "I particularly love the habitat tower, inviting birds, bees and bats to the space. It's given me loads of ideas to crack on with.' 8 Savouring the beautiful surroundings provided by Kerrygold 8 Jessica wore a gorgeous outfit by Irish designer Aoife McNamara 8 We particularly love her garden-themed straw hat 8 Peter developed 'a load of ideas' for his own garden from the day out Jessica gave a nod to the iconic butter yellow of Kerrygold butter, with her choice of outfit from Irish designer Aoife McNamara. The look is from Aoife's SS25 collection, Otherland, inspired by the mythical dreamscape of Tír na nÒg. She hailed: "I love working with Irish designers who share the same passion for Irish culture and sustainability that I have. "As butter yellow is the colour of the season I could think of no better pairing than Kerrygold and Aoife McNamara to honour the Nature Wrapped in Gold garden at Bord Bia Bloom this year.' On the concept of the garden, Lynne Andrews from Ornua, owner of the Kerrygold brand outlined: 'The 'Nature Wrapped in Gold' garden brings to life everything Kerrygold stands for - natural goodness, Irish pride and the simple pleasure of food made with care. "Rooted in our grass-fed heritage, it's a golden celebration of the land that inspires us every day.' Kerrygold's connection to golden pastures and Irish farming will be encapsulated in this 'Nature Wrapped in Gold' concept garden.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Unique Cavan whiskey liqueur set to take Bloom by storm – ‘You have to taste it to believe it'
Shanky's Whip, a black Irish whiskey liqueur and hybrid of Irish whiskey and Irish cream liqueur will be available to taste at Bloom over the bank holiday weekend Today at 04:00 The Bord Bia Bloom Festival is due to kick off over the upcoming June Bank Holiday weekend, the makers of 'Shanky's Whip' are preparing for their Bloom debut. Shanky's Whip founder Elwyn Gladstone told the Irish Independent: 'It's a black Irish whiskey liqueur that is made in Ballieborough, Co Cavan, by our friends at a company called Terra.
Irish Independent
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Meath coffee roasters prepare to showcase their unique cold brew at Bloom Festival
The Studio Coffee Roasters speak about their passion for combining coffee with sustainability and why Bloom is the perfect fit with their twinning ethos The Studio Coffee Roasters are preparing for their first ever appearance at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival over the June Bank Holiday weekend. The family run roastery is spearheaded by Alan Phillips, a certified member of the European Speciality Coffee Association. He learned his craft from renowned coffee expert Kees Kraakman of Amsterdam's Keppler Coffee.
