Plant Fairs & Shows ~ 2018

As well as our regular Friday stand at Bantry Market in the summer months, you can find a miniature 'pop-up' Future Forests at many of the Plant Fairs and Garden Festivals around the country - we love them!

Such a great opportunity to talk plants and gardens with other enthusiasts and most of all, to meet those of you who have had plants from us by mail order.
Many of these events are held in beautiful settings and are also fundraisers for deserving charities.

As well as specialist nurseries and other garden-related stands, you can find food stalls, talks, kids activities, music and other entertainments making them a great day out for all the family.

We can't bring all our stock with us, so if you are looking for particular plants, avoid disappointment and delivery costs by ordering online and choosing the show as your delivery option at the checkout stage, please place your orders at least 3 days before each show.

We highly recommend visiting the following events in 2018;
Future Forests will have a stand at all those listed below except Bloom.

Claregalway Castle: Spring Garden Event
Claregalway, Co. Galway
www.claregalwaycastle.com
Admission FREE
Sunday 8th April 11am - 6pm (times tbc)
Specialist nurseries offer a wide selection of plants. Coffee shop and a 'foodie forum' with workshops for all the family.

2017: The sun shone, brilliant burgers &  pizzas and lots of plants found new homes
2016: What a great day for a first event and a wonderful venue.

Fota House: Plant and Garden Fair
Fota House, Co. Cork. www.fotahouse.com
Donation 8 euro, free parking (2017)
(Most of the profits are donated to Marymount Hospice )
Sunday 22rd April  11am - 4pm (times tbc)
Lots of excellent plant stands bursting with new stock and a chance to explore the famous arboretum.

2017: A perfect day for visitors & stallholders, everyone went home happy
2016: Dry & cold this year but gardeners were on the look out for new & unusual plants.
2015: Warm and sunny, Fota buzzed with gardeners like bees around a honey pot.
2014: Lots of enthusiastic gardeners ~ 'Horticultural Heaven' !

Clare Garden Festival
Ennis Showgrounds, Ennis, Co Clare
www.claregardenfestival.com
Admission 8 euro, free parking
Sunday 29th April 11am - 5pm (times tbc)
This community orientated show gets better every year: show gardens, kids' entertainments, artisan food and masses of Plants ~ check out the FRINGE event

2017: Such a good event, fun & educational...and the sun came out !
2016: Crowds of all ages enjoying a great day . Clare has a festival to be proud of.
2015: Wonderful day with something for everyone. Eric McNamara's show garden was superb
2014: Great atmosphere & so much on offer.

Rare & Special Plant Fair
Burtown House & Gardens, Co Kildare - (Venue changes each year)
www.rareandspecialplantfair.ie
Sunday 13th May 10am - 5pm (Times tbc)
THE show for finding something different and this year's fair is a great opportunity to explore these famous gardens. 

2017: A great success & the rain held off. The Mount Congreve gardens are amazing
2016: A wonderful day & so well organised by the Russborough team.
2015: Airfield was a great venue. An enjoyable day for novices, expert gardeners and the stallholders.
2014: The sheltered courtyards of Kilruddery were stuffed with unusual plants....and lots of them found new homes !

Mallow Home & Garden Festival
Cork Racecourse, Mallow, Co. Cork
www.exhibitionsireland.ie
Fri 25th May to Sun 27th May 11am to 6pm
No wonder this major Cork show attracts visitors from all over the country ~ there is something for everyone, we have been exhibiting at this show since 1999!

2017: Another big success, this show ticks all the boxes.
2016: What a great weekend. The sun shone and there were crowds of happy visitors
015: The Gardens looked great ! Plants, talks, dog shows, kids stuff and food stalls to suit every taste
2014: 3 days of sunshine made for a wonderful festival and it was great to see so many old friends.

Bloom
The Phoenix Park, Dublin
www.bloominthepark.com
Thursday to Monday - June Bank Holiday weekend  10am - 6pm
Ireland's biggest garden show

2014: So many plants, so many people. It was great!
As the Mallow Festival is the weekend before, Future Forests will NOT have a stand at  Bloom this year.

'Buds & Blossoms'
Laois Garden Festival
Spink Community Grounds, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois.
www.laoisgardenfestival.com  Sun 10th June  12 noon-6pm (times tbc)
We enjoyed this new Midlands show so much last year. Good speakers, lots of plant stalls and fun for all the family.

2017: More stalls and lots for kids, shame about the wind & rain.  
2016: Friendly, relaxed and so well organised.

Limerick Garden Festival  - New for 2018!
Milk Market, Limerick
17^th June 2018 - More info to come...

Galway Garden Festival
Claregalway Castle, Claregalway, Co. Galway
www.galwaygardenfestival.com
www.claregalwaycastle.com
Admission tbc
Profits to Galway Simon Community and CBS Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th July 11am to 6pm  (times tbc)
Wonderful, relaxed atmosphere, great artisan food, excellent speakers, a bookshop. kids stuff, art & music as well as plants....and gate profits go to charity

2017: The rain held off, lots of entertainments for young & old ... plus a great selection of plants
2016: Always a great weekend with quality plants and lots of entertainment
2015: The sun shone & the Castle grounds looked better than ever.
2014: As good as ever...some think better than Bloom

Blarney in Bloom
Blarney Castle, Co. Cork
www.blarneycastle.ie
Admission tbc Profits to Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
Sunday 15th July 10am - 5pm (times tbc)
Another charity fund raiser and what a setting plus a chance to enjoy the wonderful Blarney gardens & arboretum !

2017: For once the weather was perfect, good crowds and a great day. 
2016: The Blarney Show Garden was a great addition. Fun for all the family & a great range of special plants for the keen gardeners.
2015: More stands and activities than ever, just a shame that it was so wet & windy
2014: Wonderful ! Great atmosphere, entertainments, food & plenty of plant stalls

RHSI Garden Show
Russborough House, Blessington,
Co. Wicklow
www.russborough.ie
Admission tbc
Saturday 29th July 2017 10.30 - 5.30 (TBC for 2018)
New Show: Russborough has hosted the R & S Plant Fair twice and now hopes to have an annual Garden Show
NB Open to RHSI members from 9.30...so if you are a member you get the pick of the plants !

2017: A lovely day. Plenty of stalls and excellent talks. The Walled Garden looked great. The RHSI & its volunteers have a lot to be proud of.

Farmleigh Late Summer Plant Fair
The Phoenix Park, Dublin
www.farmleigh.ie
Sunday 5th August (TBC)
Unusual plants in a beautiful setting... plus farmers' market and admittance is free !

2017: A shame about the rain but Farmleigh is worth visiting whatever the weather.
2016: Lovely to see so many people, young and old, enjoying the fine day, talks & plant displays.
2015: Lovely to see so many people, young and old, enjoying the fine day, the lovely plant displays and talks.
2014: Lots of enthusiastic gardeners and the rain held off to the very end of the show.

Claregalway Castle: Autumn Garden Event
Claregalway, Co. Galway
www.claregalwaycastle.com
Sunday 9th September
Following on the success of their Spring Fair, you can find choice plants from Ireland's specialist nurseries

2017: Terrible weather forecast put people off but Claregalway escaped with a few showers & those who came found inspiration & lots of great plants 2016: Wild & windy but great fun !
We'll be back again next year.

Fota House: ISNA Autumn Plant Fair
Fota, Co. Cork.
www.fotahouse.com
www.isna.ie Sunday 16th Sept
11am to 4pm
Autumn is such a good time to plant and this show, organised by the Irish Specialist Nursery Association will have plenty on offer to enhance your garden through till next summer.

2017: Sunshine & lots of happy gardeners !
2016: A bad weather forecast didn't deter the avid gardeners ! 
2015: Fun despite the showers.
2014: A beautiful day, the perfect end of summer show

Future Forests at Bantry Market 2017

There may be other events happening, so do check back and if you are holding an event and would like Future Forests to come along, please let us know.
Our monthly newsletter also features details of up-coming shows. If you'd like to join, just email us at info@futureforests.ie