Announcing the decision that the 2020 Bloom Festival is cancelled, Bord Bia said: “It is with deep regret that Bord Bia announces the cancellation of Bloom 2020 scheduled to take place from Thursday 28 May to 1 June in the Phoenix Park.”

Although predominantly a garden show originally created to promote plants, garden design, horticulture and gardening, through the involvement of Bord Bia, Bloom had also become one of the largest showcases celebrating Irish food and drink.

Winning FBD Garden and Agri Aware Garden at Bloom 2017.

This would have been the 14th running of the Bloom festival which has taken place in the Phoenix Park each year since its inception.

'Right thing to do'

Marketing manager with Country Crest Breda Leonard expressed disappointment that Bloom 2020 is cancelled.

However, she said" “It is absolutely the right thing to do. People’s health and well-being needs to be everyone’s priority right now.

"Our full attention at Country Crest is currently focused on our employee’s health and delivering our product to our customers so that end consumers can access fresh food throughout this incredibly challenging time.

"Bloom is a fantastic event and a great platform for us to showcase our fresh produce and premium beef from cattle reared on our farm here in north County Dublin. We look forward to being back at Bloom next year, alongside the many great Irish food and drink producers.”

This decision was made in the best interest of the public

AgriAware has exhibited at the event with its Big Red Shed and mobile farm for several years.

Executive director Marcus O’Halloran said: “Although unfortunate, Agri Aware fully supports the decision to cancel this year’s event. Given the current climate and threat that COVID-19 has placed on public health, this decision was made in the best interest of the public.

"Bloom is a fantastic educational event that gives the general urban dweller a chance to explore the beauty and benefits of gardening, while also learning about Irish agriculture through the interactive Bloom farmyard. We look forward to Bloom 2021."

Bloom 2019 in numbers

  • Over 115,000 visitors, including 20,000 children.
  • The show featured 22 show gardens, 14 postcard gardens and 28 nursery displays.
  • Retailers totalled 160 and over 100 food and drink producers attended.
  • There were also over 100 live talks, demonstrations and family activities.
  • Over 10,000 Irish plants were sold in the newly established quality mark plant village.
  • Three quarters of a tonne of strawberries were eaten in Bord Bia’s ‘seven-a-day’ rainbow polytunnel and Food Dudes kids zone.
  • A total of 4,000 people worked onsite over the five days including 200 volunteers. It will take 14 days to clear the Bloom site.