Andrew hooks main Bloom garden award
CLOGHERHEAD gardener Andrew Christopher Dunne certainly is a catch having landed the overall prize at this year’s Bloom festival!
The local man was basking in sunshine and glory having been named as the overall Show Garden winner at Bord Bia’s Bloom 2018 for his ‘Sustainable Seafood Garden’ in association with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
And he was quick to point out that his own village was the main source of inspiration.
“When I was thinking about what to do this year, I went down to the pier and sat with some Kirwan’s seafood chowder, and it dawned on me that I have one of the most beautiful coasts right on my doorstep,” he tells the Drogheda Independent.
“I wanted to tell the story of how seafood is sustainably produced, and through the medium of flowers, that was quite a challenge.”
But one that he managed admirably! The Sustainable Seafood Garden tells the story of the journey from tide to table, of the fish and seafood that surround and inhabit this island.
It boasts a large water feature with shimmering fish sculptures and an ‘upcycled’ fishing boat which doubles as a kitchen. And following a rigorous two-day judging process with an independent panel of expert judges, the award was announced as Bord Bia opened the gates on the 12th annual Bloom festival in the Phoenix Park, Dublin last Thursday.
“The judges loved the fact it was something fresh and new to Bloom and loved the ridiculous lengths I went to with detail, even planting weeds in the cracks to look authentic,” explains Chrisopher, who has also won gold at Bloom in recent years.
Congratulating the winning garden, Gary Graham, Bloom Show Manager, Bord Bia said the judges decision was unanimous. “With clever design features such as a custom-built fishing boat, made from upcycled materials and the wall and pier made from reclaimed sandstone and karst limestone, this garden brings elements to Bloom which we have never seen before.”
Andrew wasn’t the only local winner, as The Association of Floral Artists (AOIFA) hosted a floral art competition at Bloom 2018 with entries in five distinct categories, with a silver medal awarded to: Marie Dodrill from Drogheda for her entry In Homage To…