The 2023 Galway Garden Festival will take place this weekend Sat-Sun July 1-2, at Claregalway Castle. This unique and charming event has something for all and is a wonderful gathering of Ireland’s best rare and special plant traders, expert speakers, artisan food and craft producers, as well as a host of musical entertainment and open-air performance. Entertainment includes a delightful new show by ‘Yer Mans Puppets’ twice each day.
In between, enjoy the zany performances of Fanzini‘s captivating Circus. Nemo the Magician will be up to his usual tricks throughout the weekend. The Medieval Armed Combat Ireland team will be there to bring history to life.
On Sunday Sir Babosa and Isabeau will present ‘A Snail’s Tale’ – an unforgettable story of imaginary creatures once found only in monkish doodles.
Music programme includes the Silver Moon Jazz Band, Galway’s much loved St Patricks Brass Band, the Barceló Brothers, Galway Baytones, the Claregalway Community Choir and on Saturday there will be a special guest appearance by Jackie Daly and Eileen O’Brien.
The Botanic Art Exhibition is a well-established attraction at the festival featuring the work of many of Irelands best known Artists; many of the paintings are for sale, along with limited edition prints. This exhibition will be launched at 7pm on Friday, June 30 by well-known abstract artist Tory Irvine and will continue throughout Summer.
Food and craft of the highest quality are a major part of this eclectic Festival. Freshly cooked foods will be available from Handsome Burger, Castle Kitchen, Ember Firehouse, and more.
Handmade crafts and artisan foods are available and include the best of Galway County Council’s ‘Made in Galway’ group.
Guest Speakers on Saturday will include:
1300 Dr Dermot O’Flynn, London based GP, who will offer insight and advice on ‘Enhancing your Healthspan’
1400 The well-known organic gardener, journalist and broadcaster Kitty Scully, will present an informative and inspirational talk – ‘The Abundant Low-Impact Kitchen Garden’.
1500 Architect and Author, Professor Finola O’Kane - Digging New Ground, The Irish Country House Garden 1650 – 1900.
On Sunday:
1200 Award-winning Plantsman, Carl Wright, will present ‘Creating a garden in the West of Ireland – a visit to Caher Bridge’
1300 Botanist, educator and President of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington, will address ‘How the iconic Strawberry Tree, Arbutus unedo, arrived in Ireland … could it date to the Bronze age … and why?’.
1400 Tanguy de Toulgoet - Environmentalist, gardener and beekeeper came from France to Co Laois with his wife, Isobelle 25 years ago and created the famous Dunmore Country School and Garden. He will discuss innovative French gardening and beekeeping techniques that have stood the test of time in Durrow.
1500 Oliver Schurmann – recent Bloom Gold Medal winner from the highly regarded Mount Venus Nursery will present ‘Reflections on Garden Design’.
The 2023 Galway Garden Festival takes place between 11am and 6pm on Sat/Sunday, July1-2 at Claregalway Castle.
Entry €10 and children free; gate profits to CBM Ireland (Christian Blind Mission ). Free parking close-by or use Bus Eireann Expressway - routes 52 and 64 run regularly from Galway City.
So get to Claregalway for a very special weekend!. Thanks to Galway County Council for supporting this event.
For further info and programme announcements, see www.galwaygardenfestival.com
