McAleese to open huge garden festival

President Mary McAleese will today open a major garden festival in the capital, expected to attract up to 50,000 people over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Bloom 2007 four-day event in Phoenix Park will feature more than 30 show gardens and interactive installations, created by some of Ireland’s top designers.

Organised by Bord Bia and sponsored by Failte Ireland, it’s expected the event could rival the internationally recognised Chelsea Flower Show.

Bloom 2007 will be the largest event of its kind in Ireland and will reflect the expanding interest in gardening here.

Apart from the 30 gardens on display, there will be 50 exhibitors of nursery and floral displays under canvas.

A special preview will run today from 4pm until 8pm.

The show will then be open to the public from tomorrow until Bank Holiday Monday.

Further information can be obtained by logging on to www.bloominthepark.com