Saturday 5th of July
11:00am–6:00pm
Climate change, food safety, sustainable gardening and sustainable living, as well as planing and cultivating beautiful gardens are themes of this year’s Galway Garden Festival, July 5th and 6th at Claregalway Castle.
Guest speakers include Met Éireann Deputy Forecaster Evelyn Cusack and environmental activist and champion Duncan Stewart; Gold Medal garden designers (Bloom, Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Palace) and Oliver Schurmann will offer inspiring ideas for your garden.
Garden writer, designer and Irish Times correspondent Fionnuala Fallon will share her extensive knowledge as will Veg expert Klaus Laitenberger and founder of GIY (Grow It Yourself, Ireland) Michael Kelly.
Nature, the landscape and the people who inhabit it feature in the evening poetry reading by Whitbread award winner Bernard O’Donoghue.
The uniquely talented Galwegian singer, songwriter and superb performer Julie Feeney will make a guest appearance at the festival (exact times and an opportunity to purchase tickets will be posted on galwaygardenfestival.com).
Nurseries and garden suppliers from across Ireland will offer a range of plants, trees, seeds, shrubs, herbs, tools, baskets, pots, garden furniture, art work and equipment. Expert craftspeople will showcase their work in the Craft tent.
Birdwatch Ireland, the Green Sod Land Trustand other impressive organisations will advise and share a range of knowledge and experience. Gardening books, botanical art books etc will be available in the bookshop.
The botanical art exhibition, now in its third year, will be even better this July as more artists show their work.
Music is a key feature of the festival each year and this year, jazz, brass bands, opera, feature once again.
Freshly cooked food and drinks are available throughout the festival at affordable prices for all the family. Children’s entertainment will keep kids busy and leave parents time to enjoy the event.
Claregalway Castle, an early 15th century castle, one of the earliest De Burgo Tower houses in Ireland, has been saved from near collapse by a gradual restoration program which began in 2003; it now houses a collection of furniture from late 16th /early 17th centuries. It can be viewed at various times during Festival.
Festival admission is just €8 allowing people to support some of the Irish based traders, crafters and food suppliers who have travelled from near and far to be at the festival.
Charm, a leisurely atmosphere and a warm welcome are the results of the team of volunteers and organisers of this special event.
Gate profits go to www.cbm.ie and The Galway Simon Community.
In an effort to tackle climate change, why not leave the car at home and travel in comfort? By train to Galway Ceannt Station—book early for the best rail fares on www.irishrail.ie and then take the free return courtesy bus—running from Galway Ceannt Railway Station to the festival each day, starting at 10.30am and every hour thereafter. Free parking facilities are also available.
For links and further updates visit www.galwaygardenfestival.com or email [email protected].
