The fourth annual Buds & Blossoms Laois Garden Festival will take place again this year in the Spink Community Sports Grounds this Sunday, June 9.
Close to 1500 people attended last year’s festival and it is expected to get even bigger this year, again with the support of Laois Partnership.
With garden nurseries from all over Ireland present, a very impressive line-up of guest speakers and entertainment for all ages, it promises to be another great day out.
Buds and Blossoms Laois Garden Festival is fast developing into one of the best garden events in the country. For the last three years it has attracted many of the specialist nurseries in Ireland, and this year it is continuing the trend, but with the addition of two of the leading nurseries in Britain.
Dermot O’Neill, a popular TV garden presenter, will again give a talk about gardening. He has been at the festival every year since its inauguration.
1pm–1.50pm – Kevin Hughes
Ecologist and Plantsman
The first speaker for this year’s festival is acclaimed ecologist and plantsman Kevin Hughes!
2.30pm–3.20pm – John Anderson
John Anderson trained at the National Botanic Gardens, Dublin and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England. His first gardening role was the position of Head Gardener at the famous Mount Usher Garden, in Wicklow and he has worked as the head gardener for Scotland’s premier garden Inverewe in the Highlands, for the world famous Exbury Gardens in Hampshire and. Awarded the AJ Waley medal for rhododendrons in 2014.
4pm–4.50pm – Dermot O’Neill
Ireland’s Favourite Gardening TV Presenter and Garden Columnist
We are delighted to welcome Dermot back again for the 2019 festival. Dermot has been a popular keynote speaker at the festival since its inauguration.
Title: My Favourite Plants
Cookery Demonstrations
This year, Martin Hayes, Chef of Bloom Restaurant in Portlaoise will also be running cookery demonstrations, using local Laois produce. You can catch Martin at the following times:
- 2pm-2.30pm
- 3.30pm–4pm
Also watch out for exhibitor demonstrations and talks at their designated stands.
Organized by Spink GAA in conjunction with other community groups in Spink, the event is a fundraiser for community sports facilities.
Tickets
You can buy tickets for the Laois Garden Festival in advance of the event right here. Buying in advance offers you discounts of up to 20%! Choose from any of the following per ticket price options:
- Adult: €9 – SAVE 10%
- Group booking of 10 or more: €8 – SAVE 20%
- Student: €5
- Children under 12 go FREE.
On the day, entry is €10 for adults, €5 for students and U-12s go free. Group rates are also available.
Gates open 12pm with free parking. Porter service available all day for transporting plants to your car. For further information visit laoisgardenfestival.com, their Facebook page or contact Robert Miller on 087 982 2135.
Laois Garden Trail
On Saturday, June 8, the day before the main Buds & Blossoms event, some of top gardens throughout Laois will open their doors and give guided tours and workshops.
These gardens are part of the Laois Garden Trail and are open by appointment during the Summer months. Further information can also be found on their website and on Laois Garden Trail Facebook page.
Check out the full schedule here.
Please note: Tours and courses by appointment only, fees may apply. Please see contact details for each garden below.
SEE ALSO – Check out the Buds and Blossoms website here
