15.06.2015
Christ Church Cathedral Becomes Horticultural Wonderland for Second Dublin Garden Festival
The second annual Dublin Garden Festival takes place at Christ Church Cathedral this weekend – Friday June 19 to Sunday June 21 from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm each day. Among the highlights this year will be sports pundit Eamon Dunphy in conversation with Ivan Yates and a champagne breakfast with Diarmuid Gavin in the cathedral’s Deanery.
The theme of this year’s festival is fairy tales and the cathedral will be adorned with floral installations and props transforming it into an enchanting magical wonderland. Hundreds of flowers will be used to create stunning displays of contemporary and traditional floral designs, under the lead of artistic director and award–winning floral artist, Christopher White.
To complement the event, a summer market with food, craft and garden stalls will be held within the Cathedral’s historic grounds.
Visitors will receive gardening advice from renowned and much loved personalities from the world of gardening and horticulture, along with ‘Gardening With The Experts’ series taking place in the Cathedral’s historic Music Room, featuring a host of expert gardeners discussing everything from money–saving composting to creating your own urban garden.
Outside in the grounds there will be horticultural displays, Irish food produce, urban gardens, birds of prey, a petting zoo, craft demonstrations, live entertainment and an outdoor artisan food tent full of gourmet food including afternoon tea.
Guest speakers will include Irish media personality and broadcaster Eamon Dunphy; former Green Party politician and author of ‘Trevor’s Kitchen Garden’, Trevor Sargent; Irish businessman, broadcaster and former politician, Ivan Yates; gardening experts Dermot O’Neill and Helen Dillon. Jane McCorkell, Landscaping Architect and 5–Time Gold medal winner at Bloom; Award winning garden designer, author and broadcaster, Fiann O’Nuaillain; Gold medal winner at Bloom; and award–winning florist and Chelsea Flower Show medallist Christopher White.
A special Evensong will be held on Sunday June 21 at 5pm as part of the Garden Festival. The cathedral invites visitors to explore the cathedral in all its floral splendour whilst listening to beautiful choral music performed by the voices of the Cathedral Choir.
Opening times: 9am – 7pm from Friday to Saturday and 12.30pm – 7pm on Sunday. Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Tickets available from www.dublingardenfestival.ie