*Deputy Mayor Cllr. Johnny Flynn, Chairman of Clare Agricultural Show Society Joe Lillis, Master Gardener Jo Newton, Volunteer Concepta Lillis, Artist Ana Colomer, Stallholder Peter Czech of Newports Green Hands, Volunteer Hilary Taylor, Festival founder and manager Carmen Cronin and Healthy Clare Coordinator Samantha McCarthy.
The popular Garden Festival taking place annually since 2013 at Ennis Showgrounds celebrates its 10th anniversary (minus Covid years) this year and invites visitors to join into the celebration as usual on the last Sunday in April, the 28th April 2024.
“I am very pleased to congratulate Clare Garden Festival and its organisers Carmen Cronin and Clare Agricultural Show society on their 10th anniversary on behalf of both myself and Ennis Municipal District.” Said Deputy Mayor of Ennis Cllr. Johnny Flynn. He continued by saying: “I have fond memories of attending the launch of the first Garden Festival in 2013 and the excitement of the first festival filling up the Showgrounds then like it does now and being ever relevant, important and fun both then, now and into the future.”
The big celebration will see the festival blossom with more gardening and entertainment, much of it to be revealed in the coming weeks. Clare Garden Festival wants to inspire the people of Clare and beyond to grow their own healthy food and to enjoy gardening for their health and wellbeing.
“At this year’s 10th anniversary festival, we are offering a exciting, educational Food from the Garden trail supported by Healthy Ireland and presented by inspirational expert speakers – including TV gardeners Kitty Scully and Michael Kelly of GIY – as well as talks, masterclasses and demonstrations by exciting local and national Expert gardeners.” Said festival manager Carmen Cronin. “We want to showcase and communicate that growing our own vegetables and fruit means knowing exactly where our food is coming from and saving resources for ourselves and our planet.”
This message is at the core of the Healthy Clare ‘Community Food and Health’ initiative to improve health and wellbeing by building capacity in Clare for growing, cooking and eating well. “Gardening is such a wonderful hobby for body and mind. Think of all the wondering Health and Wellbeing benefits to be had when spending time out in the garden in the fresh air and enjoying the fruit of your efforts when sitting at the dining table sharing food.” Said Healthy Clare Coordinator Sam McCarthy. She continued by saying: “Why not take up the challenge this year to grow your own summer salad. Growing our own vegetables is something that everyone can do if you have some space, time and gentle patience to watch seedlings turning into meals.”
The festival taking place on the last Sunday in April will returned with its huge Garden, Plant, Craft & Food Fair this year with over 75 stalls from all over Ireland. It will be featuring an impressive range of local, national and international Garden Experts speaking on its main stage all-day. There will be 3 Masterclasses this year, 4 Demonstrations and 2 Workshops for young and old. The full programme and booking for the Masterclasses is now available on the festival website.
Clare Garden Festival is running in partnership with Co Clare Agricultural Show Society and is held annually at Ennis Showgrounds this year on Sunday, 28th April. The festival is proudly supported by Fruithill Farm, Bord Bia, Clare County Council, Healthy Clare, Visit Caherhurley Nursery, Clare Echo, Ennis Municipal District, Pobal and LCDC.
For more information see our website www.claregardenfestival.com and for regular update join us on Facebook or Instagram @claregardenfestival.
