Three local designs receive awards at Bord Bia Bloom

The popular Bord Bia Bloom festival got underway on Thursday May 30, where three local Midlands postcard gardens received awards.

Postcard gardens are created by amateur gardeners from community groups, schools, and training groups from across Ireland, and they showcase their locality or highlight the issues that matter to them.

'Bheaga na gCuimhní Cinn – Little Worlds of Memories by Sheila and Carole in association with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland' was awarded a Certificate of Distinction.

The Athlone-based team behind the design describe it as honouring "the memories of loved ones who are no longer with us and those who have forgotten their memories. It tells their stories in little pottery worlds where solace can be found through senses of sound and smell. Here the past can be re-experienced and happy memories recalled, transporting us back to familiar times."

"Our little worlds depict familiar stories; Barry walks his dog, Agnes bakes bread, Stephen loves KC, Billy plays music to Bridie, Eddie calls Bingo, Sandra falls in love, Barry and Rose dance, Sean rows on the Shannon, JP digs spuds, and Kathleen writes letters."

'Magic of the Kingdom That Lies Beneath and Above Through the Power of Brigid' by the Uí Máine Kingdom group in Ballinasloe was commended by Bloom.

The Ui Máine Kingdom group collaborated with the Irish Wheelchair Association and St Hilda’s Services in Athlone to create their postcard garden which celebrates the unique karst landscape in South Roscommon.

It combines recyclable material and art to display the workings of the karst landscape, culture, heritage, ecology, water, native wildlife, plants and mythology. Native plants such as ferns, moss, wood sorrel, gorse, dandelions, wild thyme, and the region’s unique orchids, among others, are expressed through artwork.

The Cluain Lir Community Nursing Unit in Mullingar was also commended for their Forget Me Not postcard garden.

Forget Me Not is an old style ‘potager’ garden, planted with flowers, vegetables and fruit trees designed by the residents, staff, families, and friends of Cluain Lir Community Nursing Unit. It displays a combination of the residents’ own visual art and a planting scheme that serves to evoke memories and stories.

The judging panels for Bord Bia Bloom includes 13 Irish and international horticultural and design experts, who judge show gardens, postcard gardens, nursery displays, AOIFA Floral Art and botanical and floral art.

Bord Bia Bloom continues in the Phoenix Park until Monday June 3. Tickets are available here.