After more than 30,000 ice creams and a run on pies, Bloom festival organisers folded up their tents this evening for another year.
The popular combination of gardening and food meant the festival, now in its eighth year, has managed to double attendance since 2007.
More than 106,000 people had visited the five-day horticulture and food event in Dublin's Phoenix Park, down by 4,000 on 2013.
In spite of poor forecasts for yesterday and today, the rain stayed away. Bestsellers at the event included chef Donal Skehan’s Skoff pies, which were sold out by lunchtime today, as were Cáis farmhouse cheeses and chopping boards from Caulfield Country Boards.
Gardens relocated
Among those who will benefit from this year’s event are hospitals and nursing homes around the country when elements of the 30 show gardens that were on display are relocated.
The Barretstown & Glanbia Sowing the Seeds of Magic garden will be transported in full to Barretstown camp for sick children in Kildare.
Its designer, Tim Austen, won the People’s Choice Award.
The Limerick City of Culture Garden will be rebuilt in the medieval quarter of Limerick.
116 medals
Some 116 medals and awards were presented at Bloom, including seven gold, six silver gilt, seven silver and two bronze medals to show garden designers.
The overall winner in the large garden category went to Renault ZOE: City Life Garden, designed by Kevin Dennis; the medium garden prize went to You Talk I’ll Listen – The Samaritans Garden, designed by Andrew Christopher Dunne; and the small garden winner was Facing South: The Talbot Collection at Malahide, designed by Paul Foley.
The overall winner of the concept garden was Messenger designed by Paul Doyle for the Jack and Jill Foundation.
More than 80,000 plants were sold at an estimated value of €750,000 and more than 100 grow-it-yourself enthusiasts parted with €850 each to buy polytunnels.
Outstanding success
Chief executive of Bord Bia Aidan Cotter described the event as “an outstanding success”.
“Bloom is now firmly established in the parklands setting of the Phoenix Park and is regarded as the most important event in the Irish horticulture calendar,” he said.
“Bord Bia is privileged to provide this public showcase of Ireland’s world-class food and horticulture sectors, both of which significantly contribute to Ireland’s economy.”
