Bloom Fringe - Where Inspiration Grows

Bloom Fringe is the latest independent festival to hit the streets of Dublin. The festival is a spin-off of the hugely successful Bloom and will showcase Dublin’s ever growing creative capacity with fresh ideas, spontaneity and fun. The aim is to celebrate the biodiversity and sustainability of Dublin’s City Centre by bringing together communities, artists, performers, professionals, enthusiasts and free thinkers in a joyous explosion of garden-related creativity.

Bloom Fringe will literally take over the city with over 35 eclectic events staged in pop-up venues in parks, gardens, lane-ways and Dublin City Centre as well as established venues such as cafés, shops and more. The fringe will showcase works from the world of gardening, sustainability, architecture, food, fashion and much more. Innovative workshops, pop-up dinners, picnics, exhibitions, garden installations and other experiences will be hosted throughout the city on Saturday 31st May to promote sustainability, green infrastructure and community involvement.

The Bloom Fringe HQ will be at the top of Grafton Street with a green pop-up on George’s Street and other surprises sprinkled in-between. Event coordinators, Landscape Architect Esther Gerrard and Garden Designer Marion Keogh, “want to encourage anyone with artistic vision and drive to participate and present their work. This means that there’s always something to suit everyone, of all ages and tastes. Our city lends itself to a multitude of uses and we want to show it off in all its glory!”

Some of the events that are taking place include:

• Tours/trails such as foraging with Ed Hicks
• A Masterchef picnic with Tamarin Blackmur winner of Masterchef
• Pop-up windows will be on display at Industry, Berlin and Courtney Lennon
• Family Friendly Workshops such as: Hedgerow Herbalism, Composting Bootcamp and Forest School
• Visit open community gardens

Bloom Fringe is happening this Saturday - 31st May 2014. The full programme is available on their website - www.bloomfringe.com. You will also find them on Twitter @bloomfringe #bloomfringe and on Facebook www.facebook.com/bloomfringedublin.

June Food Festivals & Events: 30 May - 7 June

Ballyhaunis Summer Festival 
A 6-day Festival in Co. Mayo with quizzes, a family fun day, an open fishing competition and a traditional fair with lots more taking happening. Taking place from the 30 May – 3 June.

Blue Jean Country Queen Festival
Based in Athboy, Co Meath, this Macra na Feirme event has been running for 26 years. There will be a street carnival, a farmer's market, a Ceilí and of course the Blue Jean Country Queen competition.  It runs from the 31 May – 3 June.  

Bloom In The Park
Bloom, Ireland's largest gardening, food and family event, will take place in the Phoenix Park Dublin during the June bank holiday weekend for 5 days from 30 May – 3 June. There will be something for everyone with cookery and craft demonstrations, free gardening advice from the experts, Irish food produce, live entertainment and gardening workshops. 

Dublin Port Riverfest
This June Bank Holiday, North Wall Quay will play host to the Dublin Port’s Riverfest. A huge array of activities are planned over the course of the weekend,  including the arrival of 6 tall ships, curragh racing on the Liffey, tug boat demonstrations and much more. There will also be street performers, music, bars, face painting, and carnival attractions from the new Samuel Beckett Bridge to East Link Bridge. For food lovers the Markets will have a huge range of quality fresh and exciting food.

Irish Coffee Festival
Taking place in Foynes, Co. Limerick from the 31 May - 2 June, this festival has a varied range of events including Irish coffee making demonstrations, a food and Irish craft fair, workshops and lots of music. 

Love Gourmet Week 
For Love Gourmet Week 2013, twenty of the best restaurants in Limerick and the Shannon region will offer a dining experience priced at €25/€35/€45 per person. The ethos of the event will be a celebration of local produce, great Irish food and organic produce. As part of Love Gourmet Week, midweek promotions will take place in all participating restaurants with wine deals, cocktail specials and unique seasonal menus on offer to celebrate the event. This event runs from the 1 – 9 June.