In addition to its large garden, plant, craft and food fair under the cover at the Milk Market, Limerick Garden Festival will be seeing an exciting programme of expert talks, masterclasses, workshops, demos, music and children’s entertainment on June 21. The festival features its most diverse and extensive series of talks and demonstrations since its inception in 2018.
Owner of the popular Coosheen garden in Cork, plantswoman Hester Forde – who regularly speaks all over Ireland, and also in the UK, Germany, and recently in America – is joining the festival for the first time.
She said: “I am delighted to be part of Limerick Garden Festival this year – what a great event in such a strong gardening county with exciting gardens of its own. On the day, I’ll be speaking about planting and layering in containers and I am looking forward to doing this in a real hands-on way that people can follow and repeat at home.”
Other garden experts featured on the day include master organic gardener Jim Cronin, who is running a masterclass in addition to his on-stage talk, Limerick organic gardeners Michelle Dirks and Christine Boland – and there will be a cookery demo with taster by chef Tom Flavin again. In total the programme includes 11 talks, masterclasses, workshops and demos.
The festival is this year launching its specialist nurseries programme supported by the IOMST national traders organisation. The programme offers one new specialist trader many benefits including a free stall at the festival. This year the benefactor is Alison Murphy of Sile Farm amd Nursery, she said: “I am very excited and grateful to be part of Limerick Garden Festival and having been chosen for the Specialist nurseries programme. The festival has got a great line-up of speakers, demonstrations, and also a variety of well-known nurseries. I am going to get great experience speaking on stage about my experience with Wildflowers and Bees in the garden.”
For smaller gardeners, the festival is offering two workshops, here children (and adults) can sow their own seed in the festival demo area and enjoy arts and craft activities. There will be plenty of good food, a facepainter and music on the day.
Limerick Garden Festival will be held on Sunday June 21 at the Milk Market, Limerick with admission only €8 per adults and children going free. Tickets can already be purchased online at an early bird price of only €6 per adult. Parking is of course free all around the city and also at the Potato Market for visitors of the festival.
The festival is proudly supported by D&M Garden Centre, IOMST, Limerick City and County Council, the Mayoral Fund, Limerick Food Group, Limerick City Partnership, Limerick Post, Vision Solar, and the festival supports Limerick Mental Health Association.
For more details see limerickgardenfestival.com or Facebook/Instagram @limerickgardenfestival.