PJ Fitpatrick Crann, Richard Dooner, Belvedere horticulturist, Liam Glynn, Belvedere marketing and events co-rdinator, Emma Noonan, Mullingar Gathers, Sarah Stockton, Slow Field Flowers, and Michele Whelan, Belvedere general manager.

Belvedere blooming ahead of Garden Festival this Sunday

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Newly crowned Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh will cut the red ribbon to formally open the Belvedere Garden Festival on Sunday, July 19, at Belvedere House, Gardens and Park.

Westmeath Rose Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh.

More than 40 trade stands will be present showcasing the best in plants, including organic plants, and there will be specialists in ferns, rare plants, and natural edible plants to provide advice and sell their produce.

As well as trade stands, a free guided walking tour of the Walled Garden with Belvedere’ horticulturist Richard Dooner, takes place at noon.

Visitors can make a full day of it thanks to the food on offer, from gourmet burgers and wood-fired pizza, from ice cream to the full menu in the Lakeside Café.

Garden Festival Talks with plant experts will take place on the hour.

Garden Festival Talks Schedule

12 o clock – Aine Vambeck of O’Meara’s Garden Centre – ‘Houseplants for a Healthy Home’

1pm – Emma Noonan of Mullingar Gathers – Food, Community and sustainability.

2pm – Crann – Tree Species at Belvedere, followed by guided walk of the Belvedere woodlands

3pm – Sarah of Slow Field Flowers – ‘Three Ways to Arrange Garden Flowers for the Table’

The Kids Zone, sponsored by CL Tool Hire, includes free face painting and children can pot a sunflower. Zorbing by The Quay will be on-site with amusements including zorbing balls and Ireland’s largest inflatable slide (fees apply for the amusements onsite).

Midland Bat Group will be present to inform attendees about bats and local wicker maker Pauline Hogan will be doing wicker making demos at her stand.

Car parking is free, admission is €15 for adults, €10 for Belvedere members and children are free.

Liam Glynn, Belvedere events and marketing co-ordinator, said: “We are busy preparing, and where better to host a garden festival than at Belvedere with its two-acre walled garden?

“We are delighted with the demand for stalls at our event and look forward to welcoming everyone on Sunday. We hope the event will have a genuine family festival feel, and dogs are welcome to join in the fun.”

Booking is at belvedere-house.ie/event/belvedere-garden-festival.

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