This Sunday, the annual Autumn Garden Fair takes place in Claregalway Castle, where some of Ireland’s best nurseries and rare plant specialists will display a great selection of shrubs, trees and more. It also coincides with an International Medieval Combat Tournament which runs throughout the weekend.
Autumn is the best time to plan, plant and redesign a garden.The ground is still warm and plants and trees can settle in to guarantee good growth. You still see the gaps that need filling, the plants you want to remove and replace. Wish you had pears, plums, apple, peach trees? Now is an ideal time to plant some potted trees and you can look forward to a beautiful spring display of blossom, followed by fruit.
This year features a great programme by Galway Flower & Garden Club -
11.30 am - 12.15pm — ‘Extending the Summer Season in your Garden’ - Gardening Talk with Rory Newell (Forest Moon Nursery ), President, Galway Flower & Garden Club
1.15pm - 2pm — ‘Children’s Workshop ‘Come & Have Fun with Flowers’
2.30pm - 3.30pm — Floral Art Demonstration with Members of Galway Flower & Garden Club.
The GFG Club will also present a showcase of floral art to highlight the skills of its members.
Not an experienced gardener? This then is a great opportunity to meet gardeners with years of experience who can guide and advise the best route to planning your own paradise garden.
Want to enhance a balcony or window area?. Meet the suppliers who can transform a dull space into something beautiful.
Not even a garden enthusiast? Come out and join the green fingered for coffee and light refreshments and hear why a garden matters so much to so many.
Exhibitors will include:
Boyne Garden Centre - a great selection of perennials, Peonies roses and more - this award winning garden centre has seven successive Gold Medals including three medals for ‘ Best in Show’ at Bloom and Garden Show Ireland.
Rare Plants Ireland - an extensive range of unique, rare and unusual trees, shrubs and perennials.
Gortkelly Nursery – specialist herbaceous plants.
Leamore Nursey - an eclectic range of plants, shrubs, climbers, and peonies.
Also … Irish Fuschia, Jozef Vesley Plants and more.
Sliabh Aughty Honey & Natural Irish Skincare, Cole Ceramics , Gran Gran Foods and The Owl Tree will also have stands on the day.
Enjoy delicious food offerings from Handsome Burger and Ember.
This special garden gathering is an opportunity to get the right advice for your dream garden – from the experts.
It is also a last chance to view the annual exhibition of the Irish Botanical Artists Association curated by Jane Stark.
Medieval Tournament
Visitors can also enjoy the thrilling spectacle of the Annual Claregalway Shield – an International Medieval Combat Tournament. Over 60 fully armoured fighters from Europe, North America, Britain and Ireland will compete for the coveted prize in 1 to 1 duels and group fights with real swords, axes and other medieval weapons. Nemo the Magician will make a special guest appearance.
Please note The Tournament takes place on Saturday Sept 2nd as well as Sunday 3rd . The Autumn Garden Fair is on Sunday 3rd only.
The events at Claregalway Castle will take place from 11am to 6pm. There is limited onsite parking and admission is €5.
