Pictured at the launch of the Allianz Garden Show Ireland 2017 are L-R Jacqui Dixon, Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Council, Deputy Mayor Noreen McClelland, Claire Faulkner, Director of Garden Show Ireland, Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey Cllr John Scott and Damien O’Neill, Group Head of Marketing for Allianz.
Antrim Castle Gardens will be bursting with colour from 5th – 7th May 2017 as Allianz Garden Show Ireland returns to the beautiful venue for a three-day festival of flowers, food, and fun.
With a renewed focus on gardens this year there will be more to entice and inspire every level of a gardener with a warm welcome being extended to Joe Swift from BBC Gardeners World, who will be sharing his extensive knowledge during a series of interesting talks on Friday 5th May.
Commenting on the return of the Show to Antrim, Allianz Garden Show Ireland Director Claire Faulkner stated,
“Thanks to the on-going support of our sponsors and partners, the 2017 Show will be bigger and better than ever before and I am delighted that Allianz joins us once again as title sponsor. This year will be a celebration of this country’s rich local heritage, a theme embraced by participants throughout the Show. So it is particularly fitting that the event is staged in Antrim Castle Gardens which is in itself a living museum of four centuries of local heritage”.
Local Northern Irish heritage is the influence behind the Show’s stunning large feature garden designed by Belfast-based Architect and Landscape Designer James Purdy who takes his inspiration from the Mournes, while the community focused team challenge gardens will celebrate CS Lewis and draw inspiration from Narnia.
Damien O’Neill, Group Head of Marketing for Allianz commented,
“Allianz is delighted, once again, to be title sponsor in 2017. Last year’s event was a huge success and this year looks set to be better again. Allianz is committed to the sustainability of the environment and we recognize the big part that our gardens can play in achieving this goal. We know that the Show not only brings communities together but also showcases the very best in the world of gardening with all its attendant benefits. We are very much looking forward to all that this year’s Allianz Garden Show Ireland has to offer.”
Gardening enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to learn at the Show with a wealth of talks and demonstrations running throughout the three-day event including talks from GIY (Grow It Yourself) founder Michael Kelly, expert gardening writer Geoff Stebbings and local expert and former director of Belfast’s Botanic Gardens, Reg Maxwell.
Enjoying the glorious gardens at Antrim Castle Garden at the launch of the Allianz Garden Show Ireland 2017 are twins Madison and Chelsea Palmer from Ballycraigy Primary School.
Food also continues to be a major part of the Allianz Garden Show Ireland with the Food NI Kitchen showcasing the very best of local artisan produce as well as lively demonstrations from the much loved local food author Paula McIyntre. Paula will be joined on Saturday 6th May by the hugely respected food writer and cook Thane Prince who will be performing demonstrations and sharing her experiences through a series of talks. The Food Garden will offer visitors an exciting range of local farm produce to enjoy in one of the many quiet spots throughout the Antrim Castle Gardens.
New to the Show this year will be a series of Art in the Garden events including a collection of wall hangings specially created for the Show and made by a talented group of quilt makers from around Northern Ireland. The Art theme continues with a range of musical offerings including talented young singers from Sestina, a brass ensemble from the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra and the Sing for Life Choir as well as the ever popular Martello Jazz Band.
Mayor of Antrim & Newtownabbey, Cllr John Scott is also looking forward to welcoming the Show back to Antrim,
“Following the huge success of last year’s event, I am delighted that the Allianz Garden Show Ireland will be returning to Antrim Castle Gardens this year. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase this stunning and unique venue to the thousands of visitors who travel from throughout Ireland and far beyond to the Show each year. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is extremely proud to support this prestigious event, which contributes so much to the economy of the local area.”
Returning to the Show bigger and bolder than last year will be the Flower Arranging Pavilion which will welcome massive floral displays created by members of NIGFAS as well as a series of demonstrations and workshops from Gold Medallists Therese Quinn and Roberta Orr.
The family focused event has, over the last number of years, engaged with schools province-wide ensuring that the Show is eagerly anticipated by all the children who take part in the Allianz supported schools challenges. Primary Schools will be displaying their garden containers under the theme of ‘Enchanted Gardens’. Allianz Scarecrow Avenue meanwhile will come alive with scarecrows created by primary schools in the integrated sector who will be creating a ‘Legends of NI’ avenue.
Set in the stunning Antrim Castle Gardens the Allianz Garden Show Ireland continues to draw record crowds each year and this year and with extensive local parking and a short travel time from Belfast it really is an accessible day out for all.
For tickets and more information please visit www.gardenshowireland.com
