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Joanna Blythman, Alys Fowler, Mark Diacono and other top names in the food and gardening world are lined up for GIY Grow Fest in Waterford, from September 11 to 13.

The festival will have three strands — ‘Grow, Cook and Eat’ and will open with a ‘Wild Cocktail Club’ on the evening of September 11.

On Saturday, the Grow Fest marquee in the centre of Waterford City will host guest speakers, talks and demonstrations including, BBC presenter, author and journalist Alys Fowler and head gardener at Ballymaloe, Susan Turner.

Award-winning Bloom garden-designer and author Fiann O’Nuallain, (and Irish Examiner contributor) will also give a talk.

There will be an in-depth discussion on hospital food hosted by RTÉ’s Ella McSweeney with Joanna Blythman, Professor Donal O’Shea and Darina Allen.

For tickets and details see:  www.giyinternational.org/grow_fest