The first true city garden festival in Ireland taking place on the street and in the much-loved Milk Market, adding to its flair and interest.
Limerick has a long history and a great passion for gardens and gardening. A stand-out historical example in the city is of course the William Roche’s Hanging Garden, built for his recreation in 1808. Today gardening is equally very much loved and alive in Limerick, with garden groups thriving all over the city and county, and amazing visitor gardens open to the public.
This year in appreciation of this great passion, a new festival is going to be held as a stand-alone event at the Milk Market in the heart of Limerick City Centre. Limerick Garden Festival, taking place on Sunday 17 June, will feature an impressive plant, garden & food market, with over 50 traders from all over Ireland, all-day garden expert talks and many opportunities for gardeners, their families and friends to enjoy and experience all things gardening, from ornamental to organic gardening.
Chairman of the Limerick Market Trustees, Cllr. Jerry O’Dea said: “The Milk Market stands for exceptional food and healthy living being a community gathering place with a strong reputation for quality produce. Combining health & hobby as core elements, what better new key festival to include on our calendar of events but a Garden Festival.” He continued by saying: “Much appreciated support for the festival is already coming from local traders including our festival partners Limerick Strand Hotel and Limerick City & County Council.”
Welcoming the festival, Deputy Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Councillor Marian Hurley said: “A festival connecting to the roots of our people and relevant for both city and county is always welcome in Limerick. At the same time, the festival will be the first true city garden festival in Ireland taking place on the street and in the much-loved Milk Market adding to its flair and interest. I am delighted to wish Limerick Garden Festival great success for 2018 and for many years to come.”
The 2018 festival theme called UR Garden will combine Urban and Rural Gardening, aiming to welcome gardeners from all over Limerick city & county and beyond. It will be a platform for horticultural education, community engagement, specialist trade and innovation as well as tradition and conservation in the horticultural and gardening sector.
Festival manager Carmen Cronin said: “Due to its central location, great reputation and experienced staff, the Milk Market is a fantastic venue for a Garden Festival. I am thrilled to have been asked to take the lead and delighted to offer my expertise and hard work to build this new garden festival from the ground up. Already, nearly 20 traders whom I am working with in other locations including many from Limerick, have confirmed that they will be joining us on the day. Combined with our expert talks and demonstrations, visitors can expect an action-packed, great gardener’s day out in mid-June.”
Limerick Garden Festival will be held on Sunday, 17th June at the Milk Market, Limerick. The festival aims to serve the entire gardening community and their families and friends by offering a specialist garden fair and fun and educational entertainment in a horticultural manner creating a great family day out. For more information about the Limerick Garden Festival click here.
