Bagenalstown community garden to exhibit at Bloom

BAGENALSTOWN community garden will showcase a postcard garden called A Landscape of Transition, at this year’s Bord Bia Bloom festival.

The group is one of three exhibitors from Carlow set to participate in Bloom, which takes place from this Thursday, 28 May, until Monday 1 June in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, from 9am to 6pm each day. Two Carlow businesses, Carlow Brewing Company and Sunshine Juice, will provide drinks catering at the event.

The Bagenalstown garden will present a layered story of Carlow, reflecting a lost wilderness and a landscape shaped by history, belief and human hands. Travelling back in time to Mount Leinster in 1786, it tells the story of Ireland’s last wolf and asks how we can reconnect with nature in the future.

“We’re delighted to have been selected to create our garden at Bloom,” said Tommy Cox of Bagenalstown community garden.

Their garden “really takes a look at the rich history of the area and has been such a community effort. We’re looking forward to bringing it all to life at Bloom,” Tommy continued.

Bagenalstown community garden was one of 14 community groups from all over the country selected for the 2026 showcase. There will also be 20 new show gardens at this year’s festival.

“Every year, we’re so excited to see what these brilliant community gardeners are planning for their gardens. It’s a great reminder about how powerful even a small space can be in telling a story,” said Ann Meaney, chief marketing and customer experience officer of Tirlán CountryLife, which is supporting the postcard gardens at Bloom.

Other aspects of the festival include the nursery village where attendees can also enjoy live demonstrations and interactive workshops with leading plant experts, exhibitions and competitions in floral art. There will be three indoor restaurants and three outdoor catering areas serving artisan food and drink, a new wellness area, a budding bloomers area for younger visitors and live musical performances.