Bloom - Did Anyone Go?

JupiterKid

So I was at the Bloom garden fair in the Phoenix Park - a handy 20 min walk from my place - and hooked up with some good friends and their kids. All in all a great day.

The show gardens were a tad disappointing...was hoping for more spectacular garden designs but as it was the final day there were bargains to be had galore and I got some food items and two potted plants - fuscia and lavender - for my patio terrace. Was pretty packed when I arrived at 2pm but got quieter by 4.30.

Anyone here go? Did you enjoy it? Have you been before? Get any ideas for your own gardens or window gardens?

I agree the show gardens could have been much stronger - the Alan Rudden Argentinian one seemed the most impressive. The food stalls were excellent, though. There was a great range of foods and drinks. There was also a decent number of things for young children to play on.

Overall, I found it far too busy, with loads and loads of old people and people with impaired walking everywhere. Fair enough, but at this stage the whole show is a massive success so why don't they extend the ground area by about twice as much? It would give everybody more space and make it a more relaxed experience.

And seats and tables. I imagine there will be a heap of complaints from elderly, the infirm, and people with young children regarding the absence of picnic tables (there were some picnic tables on the left as you went in, but the majority of the place had none) or even benches to sit down on. The tickets are expensive, and it was another €5 for parking the car, so surely they have the finances to put adequate seating?

Force Carrier

The few little gardens don't really justify a whole day trip.

They should branch into some other areas.

rossie1977

Was there today. First time visiting. Our bus driver from Parkgate street was great; telling jokes, giving history of Phoenix park and even singing Elvis songs (he was really good).

Was insanely busy at 1.45pm when we arrived. Agree show gardens were a little disappointing.

Young kids dancing around to the rock/rap band on the main stage made me laugh. Beer hall was fun. It's amazing we have so much craft beer in Ireland yet every pub in this country seems just to sell Heineken, Budweiser etc.

freshpopcorn

I went a few years ago.
It was okay.
Slightly expensive.
Food stalls/etc were good but I saw similar stuff at farmers markets/food fairs.
The gardens were disappointing. We were actually thinking did we miss some of them.
I might go again if I lived closer.

Outlaw Pete

I went. Shot a deer and brought it back on the bonnet of the car. Got a few looks but fcuk it the price of meat in Lidl is nuts.

Force Carrier

Outlaw Pete wrote: »

the price of meat in Lidl is nuts.

It is. Very deer.

r93kaey5p2izun

Didn't go this year, but have been a couple of times before. Both times I found it unbearably overcrowded to the point you couldn't even see the gardens. The food stalls were the only part I enjoyed. Tickets were too expensive. I wouldn't go again.

nc6000

We're went again this year and found it a bit underwhelming to be honest.

Getting in was much easier and quicker than previous years.

I didn't think the show gardens were anything special.

Some more tables and chairs in the food area would have been a good idea.

Not sure it's really worth it at €25 a ticket and a further €5 for parking.

biko

I did not go.

LirW

I really wanted to go but it would have been 1,5h drive for me and honestly the ticket prices put me off slightly.
Now after the weekend I got word from others that went and nobody really enjoyed it because it was so crazy busy apparently.

.... For Chelsea I save so!

GBX

The ploughing championship for posh people

branie2

No

Varta

Went a few years ago and would never go again. There is nothing in it for a gardener to be bothered about. Most sensible gardeners spent the weekend enjoying their own garden. I reckon you could take out what little garden element there is in it and no one notice the difference.

McMurphy

Yeah, found it alright, overall well organised, parking was a breeze, no delay getting into the venue, and equally as hassle free getting home.

Some prices were extortionate (to be expected I suppose) 5.60€ for 2 X bottles of club orange, 15€ for 2 X glasses of wine, and 14.50€ for a glass of wine with cheese and crackers.

To be expected I suppose, and no one forced me to buy it, (I'm not complaining)

Overall, enjoyed it, will go back next year.

earlytobed

I went, picked a good time to go, 10:30 on Friday.
I enjoyed it, a good mix of garden stuff and food/drink stuff.
I would agree that the show gardens were a little underwhelming, though I appreciate how hard it is to create an original show garden