I was delighted during the week when I won tickets for Bloom from Coole Swan on Facebook. I’ve wanted to go for the last couple of years but never got there.

I got the 7am train on Thursday morning thinking I was being sensible being so early as there was a shuttle bus running the Heuston Station…..the queue for the bus was crazy though! Thankfully some sensible taxi drivers decided to do a deal and about ten of us got into a taxi mini bus and he took us to Bloom to save us walking or waiting.

The weather was fantastic but even if it had been raining so many of the displays were inside so it would have been OK.

There were lots of show gardens. I loved the fairy garden, there was mist on the water and it was just a magical place. I would love something like this in my garden.

I also loved the Wizard of Oz garden….well they were all fantastic but those two stood out for me.

This garden was made with synthetic grass so you never need to cut it…I could do with some of that!

It wasn’t just all about gardens either. There were some amazing floral displays.

If that wasn’t enough for you there were plenty of events for the kids including playgrounds, cake decorating, entertainers (and the kids get in free!)

There was also some great music…..and food!! So many samples of wonderful Irish food and drink with some great special offers.

I also got to meet the President Michael D. Higgins which was very exciting for me. I saw Donal Skehan and Neven Maguire. The food demos were great also the gardening talks.

Gerry Daly was very interesting….and he’s right far too much time is spent cutting the grass and weeding.

It all got too much for this little lad who settled himself into the Grow it Yourself garden for a relax.

All it all it was a really wonderful day. Well done to all the organisers and exhibitors involved in such a great event. It’s still running until Monday so if you get a chance do go along, you’ll be very glad you did. The rest of my photos are here.