Bloom flower show gets underway at Phoenix Park

Ireland's answer to the Chelsea flower show opens its gates to the public at the Phoenix Park in Dublin today.

Up to 50,000 people are expected to attend the Bloom event in the next four days.

The show is the largest gardening event ever to be staged in Ireland, with world-class experts brought in to judge the best of the more than 30 gardens on display.

The gardening market in Ireland has grown by more than 70% in the past four years and is valued at almost €1bn.