Gold for Fingal Bee Positive Garden at Bloom 2019

Bloom Garden Team

Fingal County Council together with The Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) Horticulture Department  have won gold at Bloom in the Park 2019.  The Fingal Bee Positive Garden has a pollinator friendly theme and is a reflection of our commitment as a Pollinator partner in the All Ireland Pollinator Plan and our recognition of the importance of Climate Action.  The garden has proved hugely popular with visitors and media alike at the Bloom Festival this year.

With the aim of emphasising the importance of pollinators within our rapidly urbanizing environments, the garden is particularly targeted at children to increase their understanding and awareness of the importance of pollinators and help to sustain a diverse range of pollinator insect species for the future.  The garden is designed by Fingal County Council and TU Dublin with help from garden designer, Jane McCorkell, and demonstrates how to create and protect habitats for pollinators – including bees and many other insect species – within a usable, outdoor recreation space. It features a pathway so visitors can walk through the garden and learn more about pollinators. A large honeycomb wall is decked with fun facts, and offers a glimpse of the working beehive on the other side of the screen.

Kevin Halpenny, Senior Parks Superintendent Fingal County Council commented " In the spirit of “Think Globally and Act Locally”; this year’s Fingal Bloom Garden – “Fingal Bee Positive”, demonstrates practical and imaginative features we can add to our gardens and parks to protect and provide a habitat for our much needed pollinating insects". 

AnnMarie Farrelly, Interim Chief Executive of Fingal County Council said  “This garden provides a wonderful visitor experience particularly with the beehive and the honeycomb wall with the fun bee facts. This feature aimed at children and adults alike helps  increase their understanding and awareness of the importance of pollinators.  I would like to commend the excellent work of our Parks and Green Infrastructure staff, particularly Kevin Halpenny and Denis Flannery and the Bremore Castle team.”  

Fingal Bloom Award 2019

Mayor of Fingal Councillor Anthony Lavin commented “I would like to congratulate Fingal on achieving Gold at Bloom for this innovative garden. Environmental issues are very topical at present and this garden, as well as being beautifully designed, shows the important Bee Positive steps we can all take in our gardens to protect our vital pollinators.”

Fingal’s County Council has adopted the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and ensures that the management of the Council’s open spaces and parks is pollinator-friendly and provides more opportunities for biodiversity.  Fingal manages over 300 acres of species rich meadows within our parks , including 4 acres recently planted at Bremore Castle, to increase biodiversity and pollinators and has significantly reduced the use of pesticides. We are also prioritizing the use of native plant species within our planting plans, and using spring flowering bulb displays within grass margins as an early source of food for pollinators. 

Fingal County Council and TU Dublin have developed a strong working relationship over the past number of years, showcasing aspects of County Fingal’s rich natural and cultural landscape at Bloom. This experienced partnership combines the qualities of landscape design and landscape management to create visually exciting, yet multi-functional show gardens.

You can visit the Bee Positive Garden at Bloom until Monday June 3rd. If you can’t visit Bloom parts of the garden will be showcased at the Flavours of Fingal Show in Newbridge House Donabate June 29th and 30th.