President Catherine Connolly the main attraction on the first day of Bloom

President Catherine Connolly tours the gardens and exhibits on display when she officially opened the Bloom 2026 Festival in the Phoenix Park. Picture: Tony Maxwell

“Oh my god, it’s Catherine Connolly.”

“Oh my god, it’s Trisha Transformations.”

These two statements were said at exactly the same time and, in many ways, are a testament to the wide range of attractions on show at the annual Bord Bia Bloom Festival in the Phoenix Park.

As Catherine Connolly rolled up for her first ever Bloom as President, Cork-based chef Trisha Lewis was giving a food demonstration.

While the social media star held her audience, there were choruses of “there she is” as President Connolly stepped out of the car wearing a blue suit and dark sunglasses.

This was the President’s second horticulture show this month, having attended the Chelsea Flower Show on her three-day visit to Britain last week.

However, several things were different. The first major difference was that most people at Bloom recognised President Connolly instantly. The second was the weather. In London, it had been lashing rain as she arrived in Chelsea.

Despite suggestions that the weather was set to change on Thursday, the sunshine that has lifted the mood of the nation all week continued as thousands flocked to the Phoenix Park.

Now in its 20th year, the festival highlights stunning show gardens slaved over by dedicated gardeners for months on end.

Ice cream sales were at an all-time high as people walked around the Phoenix Park in the 23C heat.

Children and teachers from St Matthew's National School, Sandymount, at Bord Bia Bloom 2026 Festival with Bord Bia's Kerrie Gardner. Picture: Peter Houlihan/Fennells

The sunshine attracted crowds from early in the morning, with the carpark heaving at 10am. People were keen to get the most out of the weather and of their ticket — which cost €35 if you bought in advance and €40 if you paid at the gate.

During her speech, President Connolly described the festival as a “joyful celebration of Irish food, horticulture, sustainability, creativity”.

As she spoke about sustainability, she gave special mention to those creating “pollinator-friendly” gardens. She also noted that she was “married to a beekeeper”.

At one point, her husband Brian wandered off from the group. When he reappeared, he was grasping a large red pepper.

President Connolly was, no doubt, the main attraction of the first day of Bloom.

As she walked through the festival, surrounded by a heavy security presence, there were repeated whispers of “there she is”.

Children were also quick to recognise the President, with a gaggle of primary school students who nearly bumped into her screaming, “oh my god”, as she walked past.

fashion Student Cliona O'Connor arriving at the Design & Craft Council Ireland's Irish craft village at Bloom. Cliona is wearing a design by Jennifer Rothwell. Picture: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

In the Office of Public Works’ Walled Garden, the conversation with two schoolboys turned to "keepie-uppies". They loved the video of her juggling a football during the election. 

One of the boys could do 15 keepie-uppies, but President Connolly did not tell him that she used to be able to do 100. Instead, she turned the conversation to his large polarised red sunglasses.

“Can I try them?” she asked, putting them on her face.

“We love you,” they called as she walked away.

While people were queuing up to say hello and have a quick chat, Áras handlers were keen to stress that there was to be no photographs.

This included no pictures with the big yellow Minions, as she was skilfully whizzed past the Minion Garden.

From left: Shelly, Aoife, and Bridget Phelan enjoy the weather at the Bord Bia Bloom Festival, which is marking 20 years in the Phoenix Park. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

Another woman who wanted a picture was Helen Drumm from the famous Monaghan shop, Sound Quality Gifts.

The shop has become a key stop on election canvases in recent years, with Fine Gael’s Simon Harris and Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald both jiving their way through during the last general election.

The Áras staff must have known, however, that Ms Drumm had backed fellow-Monaghan woman Heather Humphreys in the presidential election, and she, unfortunately, did not get her picture either.

Two people who did get a sneaky picture were Emily Murphy and Niamh Ryan, from Cooley and Carlingford in Louth.

They had positioned themselves right outside Fingal County Council’s Nurturing Communities through Nature Garden for 20 minutes after hearing on the grapevine that Ms Connolly would be surveying it.

Bláthnaid Treacy in the Postcard Gardens at Bloom, supported by Tirlán Country Life. Picture: Peter Houlihan/Fennells

They were supposed to be in school, they admitted, but had come to Dublin for the day to attend Bloom instead.

Any attempt to hide where they were was well and truly scuppered as they chatted to President Connolly and shook her hands. She had been to Louth during the campaign and would be going back, she said.

As they waited to meet President Connolly, the girls revealed they had met RTÉ’s GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey earlier that morning. It was cooler to meet the President, they admitted.

There truly was something for everyone in the audience at Bloom.

• Louise Burne is the Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner.