Bud burst at Cobh fest
I absolutely adore being outside in our beautiful countryside and there has been no better summer than the one just passed — and where nicer to have enjoyed it than Cork and in particular its harbour.
Cork harbour is a scenically spectacular river estuary and the second largest natural harbour in the world after Sydney and because of its location and the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, we are lucky in this part of the world in what we can grow.
Many plants that we take for granted in our southern gardens will leave people further to the north gnashing their teeth in frustration. Tree Ferns, Fuchsia, Abutilon, Polygala, and many others can’t be grown as successfully elsewhere in the country
So it should be no surprise that gardeners in Cork are among the best and most interested in the country — Cork has the highest spend per capita on gardens and I’m not just talking about the Open Gardens and the more professional among us — I’m talking about the gardens that lie largely unseen behind walls and hedging and only viewed by their creators and families.
The interest in gardening has never have been stronger in the south, and in particular, the town of Cobh, which this weekend plays host to something a bit special, a Festival of Flowers entitled: “History, Dreams & Memories”.
The many flower clubs and garden enthusiasts participating in the Festival will intrepret the title “History, Dreams and Memories” through the medium of flowers and plant material.
They hope to raise money for the restoration of one of the last surviving Telford Organs,which was installed in St Colman’s Cathedral almost 100 years ago and described as “of enormous significance and heritage value”.
The Festival Committee, led by President Mary Frahill have been busy planning and organising for the past few months and trying to raise money to stage this “once in a lifetime event”.
A number of sub titles will be interpreted both inside the Cathedral and in the surrounding grounds.
The various exhibits will depict the social, economic, cultural, military and maritime history of the harbour area through the turbulent years of the two world wars, the sea tragedies including the Titanic and Lusitania, and the industrial era, right up to the present day.
A number of famous sons and daughters, sporting, literary, artistic and adventurous — many of whom left these shores on transatlantic liners to fulfil their dreams, will also be portrayed. The interpretation of schooldays, pastimes and festivals of bygone years will provide nostalgic memories for all who grew up in the vicinity of Cork Harbour and Queenstown.
Cobh Flower and Horticulture Club is delighted that its Festival Designer, Mary O’Brien, represented Ireland at the World Show which was held in the RDS Dublin this year.
She won the “Floral Artist of the Year” in a series of competitions held in various parts of the country to find Ireland’s best flower arranger.
In fact, the ladies of Cobh’s Festival of Flowers committee are no strangers to high achievement in flower arranging circles as most of them hold AOIFA (Association of Irish Floral Artists) qualifications, and both Mary O’Brien and Angela Heffron judged at the World Show.
The members of the club have been growing and potting up plants which will be for sale over the festival weekend.
The entry fee is €10 and refreshments are also included. There will be over 80 individual exhibits and the people of Cobh are in for a treat in this event.
Exhibits will be on show inside and outdoors and there is certain to be something to suit everyone, expert gardeners, flower arrangers and those just there to admire, alike.
All will be done with fresh flowers and foliage, and those taking part will come from all over Ireland – a truly ambitious achievement.
You can be assured of world class flower arranging in St Colman’s Cathedral today and tomorrow.
For more information check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cobh-Flower-Festival
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
