The EU garden that won gold at Bord Bia Bloom has officially opened as a permanent installation in Cork.
The European Commission’s show garden, “Shared Roots, Common Shade,”was awarded a gold medal at the opening of the Bord Bia Bloom Festival in Dublin back in May.
After the show was over, the European Commission promised to gift the garden to the people of Ireland.
The plants and sculptures were carefully uprooted and moved to a new location – Cork City’s Marina promenade – in the south of the country.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, has formally accepted the garden which has now officially opened.
“I am honoured to accept, on behalf of the people of Cork, this remarkable garden as a lasting legacy of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the recent visit of the College of Commissioners to our city,” said Cllr Damian Boylan.
“It is a wonderful addition to the Marina and a powerful reminder of the connections that link Cork to communities across Europe. It creates another new space here on the banks of the river Lee for people to gather and to reflect on all that unites us as Europeans. “We are grateful to the European Commission for this generous gift and proud to welcome it to Cork.”
Ireland’s European Commissioner, Michael McGrath said:
“The garden reflects the strength we gain from working together. Just as every tree contributes to the health and beauty of a forest, every Member State has a role to play in shaping Europe’s future. We are delighted that this award-winning garden will have a permanent home in Cork, where it can continue to inspire reflection on our shared European future.”
Designed by acclaimed garden designers, Oliver and Liat Schurmann, the garden was one of the standout attractions at this year’s Bord Bia Bloom festival.
The designers hand selected 27 trees to represent the 27 member states of the European Union.
“Some of the trees rise to more than seven metres in height, creating a miniature forest through which visitors can wander along a meandering pathway,” the European Commission says.
A wishing tree has also been planted alongside the garden to provides a space “for people to share their hopes and aspirations for the future of Ireland and the European Union.”
Peter Power from the European Commission’s Ireland office says the garden is simply “beautiful”: