THE COUNTY’S FIRST FANTASTIC FESTIVAL OF ALL THINGS FLORAL
THE INAUGURAL Wexford County Flower and Garden Festival is due to take place from Saturday, July 1 to Sunday, July 9 – a celebration of Wexford and all things floral.
The County Wexford Garden and Flower Club have joined up for the festival which begins at the EPA, Johnstown Castle with the 50th anniversary of The Co Wexford Garden & Flower Club on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, at which floral displays will be among the attractions.
Events will take place around the county at The Wexford Garden Trail venues along unique range of large and small gardens and centres which are lovingly cared for, with ideas to take home, and a great selection of plants, shrubs and trees that grow here.
The Wexford Garden Trail will launch the first event on Sunday,
July 2, at 6 p.m. with The Outdoor Garden Theatre production of ‘Peter Pan’ in the walled garden of Kilmokea, a magical venue on the River Barrow. The large public gardens of County Wexford provide an ideal outing for all the family and smaller private gardens will provide not only an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon but will showcase the range of plants we can grow in this temperate region.
‘Our gardens reflect both the history and the diversity of the county and its landscape. Some of our gardens were originally laid out in the 18th and 19th century while others were begun just 10 years ago,’ said one of the organisers, Emma Hewlett from Kilmokea.
Sunday, July 2
Beechdale Garden Centre – Wildflower Café – Special Discount for Wexford Flower Club Members ‘Your Festival Food’ from July 2 to 9; Kilmokea Gardens – A Garden Theatre Production of Peter Pan at 6 p.m., Adult €19, Child €14, Family (2 adults & 2 Children) €56; 4 p.m. Opening of The Kilmokea Garden & Flora – Community Art Exhibition. Free entry. Open July 2 to 9; Newtownbarry House, Gallery & Garden – Invitation to opening of An Exhibition of Flower & Garden paintings by invited Painters and Printmakers 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Exhibition Juy 2 to 23; +The Bay Garden – Open 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the week; Woodville House Gardens – open daily throughout the week; Kilmokea Gardens – open daily throughout the week.
Monday, July 3
Cois na hAbhann Garden, Home & Lifestyle – Helen Dillon & Carmel Dignam Come in Camolin, 10.30 a.m. Q&A, €20, 2 p.m. Garden Walk in The Bay €20 (€30 for both); Colclough Walled Garden – A Series of Walks & Talks 2-3.30 p.m. free of charge daily throughout the week; JFK Memorial Park & Arboretum – A Series of Walks 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily throughout the week; Kilmurry Nursery & Garden – Free Watercolour Class in the garden by award winning artist Kate Kos 10 a.m. daily throughout the week; Marfield House & Garden – Enjoy Complimentary Homemade Lemonade & Cookies on The Duck Terrace daily throughout the week; The Bay Garden – Helen Dillon & Carmel Dignam Come, 10.30 a.m. Q&A in Cois na hAbhann €20, 2 p.m. Garden Walk in The Bay €20 (€30 for both); Wexford Lavender Farm – Cut Your Own Lavender 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. €5/bunch and Distillery Tour for Groups of 10+ €6 per person available throughout the week; Wells House & Gardens – Garden Tour for four people conducted by guide in Victorian costume. €15 per car including entrance. Garden Tours daily at 1 p.m. daily throughout the week. Tuesday, July 4
Beechdale Garden Centre – Morning Garden Club with Frances MacDonald at Beechdale 10.30 a.m. €5 incl. Tea/Coffe & Scone; Johnstown Castle – Historic Walk around the Gardens with Matt Wheeler 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. €10 incl entrance to gardens & museum
Wednesday, July 5
Kilcannon Garden Centre – A Talk with GroMor Ambassador; Kilmokea Gardens – Tree Walk with Arborculturalist 11 a.m. €7 including entrance to gardens
Thursday, July 6
Glenavon Japanese Garden – An Evening of Japanese Music & Food 6.30 p.m. (To be confirmed): Johnstown Castle – Historic Walk around the Gardens with Matt Wheeler 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. €10 including entrance to gardens & museum; Springmount Garden Centre – Ikebana Demonstration – The Art of Japanese Floral Arranging with Harumi Langford 3.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. €10; The Greenhouse Café – Special 20% festival discount for Wexford Flower Club Members
Friday, July 7
Kilmokea Gardens – ‘Day to Day at Kilmokea’ Walk & Talk with the Head Gardener’ 11 a.m. €7.00; Kilmurry Nursery & Garden – Display of Art by Award Winning Artist Kate Kos in the Garden & Tea Rooms; The Bay Garden – Afternoon Garden Walk with Iain MacDonald 3 p.m. €5 Saturday, July 8
Coolaught Gardens & Garden Centre – A Talk on Beekeeping with Percy Deacon 2 p.m. Free of Charge; The Bay Garden – Margaret Collins – Flower Arranging from Your Garden 2 p,m. €15 (includes refreshments)
Sunday, July 9
Kilmokea Gardens – Shirley Lanigan Talk & Walk 3 p.m. €10.
For more visit wexfordflowergarden.ie and wexfordgardentrail.com.