Latest news with #HowtoTrainYourDragonGarden
Irish Independent
07-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Bord Bia Bloom in photos: Looking back at Wicklow's award-winning gardens
Wicklow People Wicklow garden designers, exhibitors and floral artists all landed awards at Bord Bia Bloom 2025, taking home a total of six medals. Bord Bia Bloom attracted more than 100,000 visitors to Dublin's Phoenix Park over the June bank holiday weekend, and Wicklow exhibitors more than played their part. Calary-based designer Tünde Perry designed two gardens for this year's festival, including the Universal Pictures Ireland-sponsored 'How to Train Your Dragon Garden', inspired by the upcoming live-action remake. Tünde was awarded a silver in the show garden category for her 'Manor Farm – 250 Years Taste and Tradition' garden, which celebrated Manor Farm's 250-year anniversary. The train track-inspired path, crafted from recycled railway sleepers and gravel, symbolises the journey from Manor Farm's origins in rural Ireland to the heart of the capital. Dublin's Manor Street is referenced in a creative sculpture made from metal rods. An authentic wildflower meadow, native trees and shrubs, and a regenerative oat and wheat field is a nod to Manor Farm's farming roots and sustainable future. To honour Manor Farm's home in Cavan, the garden features a water element, reflecting the county's famous 365 lakes. The biodiverse, sensory-rich garden features native species like hazel, hawthorn, elder and birch, interwoven with herbs and fragrant plants. Robert Moore from Kilmacanogue, won a silver guild for 'The Grass Advantage' garden he designed for the National Dairy Council. The garden highlights the beauty of Ireland's natural pasture with its white clover grass mix forming a naturally enriching multi-species sward. At its centre, a large, five-metre-high milk churn sculpture symbolises the cultural heritage of Irish dairy production and celebrates the grass-based system that is the foundation of Ireland's world-renowned dairy produce. St Mary's and St Gerard's National School were highly commended for their postcard garden supported by Tirlán CountryLife, which was created by 4th class students and embodied the school ethos of caring, connection and the love of learning. Lynn Stringer of Kilcoole received bronze in the botanical and floral art section for her watercolour painting 'Golden Oats', while she was awarded a silver gild for watercolour and pencil inspired 'In the Stone Wall' . Patricia Morrison received a bronze award for her botanical based watercolour painting.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Wicklow designer creates Bord Bia Bloom garden inspired by ‘How to Train Your Dragon' film
The festival returns for the 19th edition and will take place on a 70-acre site surrounding the visitor centre in Phoenix Park, which will pay host to 21 new and spectacular show gardens. Calary-based designer Tünde Perry is designing two gardens for this year's festival, the first being the Universal Pictures Ireland-sponsored 'How to Train Your Dragon Garden', which reflects the beautiful natural landscapes of Northern Ireland, where this live-action film was made. Tünde has always been passionate about gardening and outdoor spaces. She established her design and landscape business in 2013. Her creations combine practicality, beauty and harmony with innovative solutions, reflecting her artistic awareness of colour and form At the centre of this medium show garden is the beloved character, the dragon Toothless, who is depicted in sculpture. The planting scheme is rich with Irish native plants and creates a woodland scene with Scots pines, silver birches, oaks, native shrubs like guelder roses and elder, plus a tapestry of mosses, ferns, and foxgloves. Speaking about the inspiration behind the garden, Tünde said: 'Universal contacted Bord Bia and provided a brief of what they were looking for. In applied with a concept for design and Universal Studios loved it. I saw the original animated version of the movie and really liked it. It's basically about finding one another and making new friends. 'The Vikings get to learn that dragons aren't their enemies. It's not dissimilar to the bond a young boy has when he first gets a dog and they go on to become friends. 'The brief was to create some of the scenes from the movie which was mainly shot in Northern Ireland. The new movie is due to be released in June and we haven't yet completed the garden, but hope to do so by Sunday. The design is all about showcasing the beautiful Irish landscape and native Irish plants.' Tünde will also be designing 'Manor Farm – 250 Years Taste and Tradition garden' as part of the festival. From Kilmacanogue, Robert Moore will be designing 'The Grass Advantage' garden for the National Dairy Council. Robert Moore has always been passionate about landscape design, architecture, and beautiful outdoor spaces. He studied at University College Dublin and Bordeaux University and travelled the world before returning to Ireland in 1998. Robert's mission is to merge 'landscaping and lifestyle', whether in a private or public setting. Green-fingered visitors can also enjoy the petite postcard gardens supported by Tirlán CountryLife. From Enniskerry, St Mary's and St Gerard's National School will be presenting a garden designed and created by 4th class students. This postcard garden is said to embody the school's ethos of caring, connection and the love of learning. ADVERTISEMENT Additionally, a huge wool sculpture made by Bray textile artist Sharon Wells is set to be on display in the Irish Craft Village. Portach Álainn (Beautiful Bogland) is made using Irish grown wool and recycled yarns to create dragonflies, heather, bog cotton and moss More than 100 food and craft drink producers will feature as part of the food offering, including Wicklow-based businesses Miena's Nougat, an award winning nougat company from Donard, and Sugarloaf Beverages, based in Enniskerry. How to Train your Dragon hits Irish cinemas from June 13.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
New ‘How to Train your Dragon' film to have Bloom garden made by Wicklow designer
The festival returns for the 19th edition and will take place on a 70-acre site surrounding the visitor centre in Phoenix Park, which will pay host to 21 new and spectacular show gardens. Calary-based designer Tünde Perry is designing two gardens for this year's festival, the first being the Universal Pictures Ireland-sponsored 'How to Train Your Dragon Garden', which reflects the beautiful natural landscapes of Northern Ireland, where this live-action film was made. Tünde has always been passionate about gardening and outdoor spaces. She established her design and landscape business in 2013. Her creations combine practicality, beauty and harmony with innovative solutions, reflecting her artistic awareness of colour and form At the centre of this medium show garden is the beloved character, the dragon Toothless, who is depicted in sculpture. The planting scheme is rich with Irish native plants and creates a woodland scene with Scots pines, silver birches, oaks, native shrubs like guelder roses and elder, plus a tapestry of mosses, ferns, and foxgloves. Speaking about the inspiration behind the garden, Tünde said: 'Universal contacted Bord Bia and provided a brief of what they were looking for. In applied with a concept for design and Universal Studios loved it. I saw the original animated version of the movie and really liked it. It's basically about finding one another and making new friends. 'The Vikings get to learn that dragons aren't their enemies. It's not dissimilar to the bond a young boy has when he first gets a dog and they go on to become friends. 'The brief was to create some of the scenes from the movie which was mainly shot in Northern Ireland. The new movie is due to be released in June and we haven't yet completed the garden, but hope to do so by Sunday. The design is all about showcasing the beautiful Irish landscape and native Irish plants.' Tünde will also be designing 'Manor Farm – 250 Years Taste and Tradition garden' as part of the festival. From Kilmacanogue, Robert Moore will be designing 'The Grass Advantage' garden for the National Dairy Council. Robert Moore has always been passionate about landscape design, architecture, and beautiful outdoor spaces. He studied at University College Dublin and Bordeaux University and travelled the world before returning to Ireland in 1998. Robert's mission is to merge 'landscaping and lifestyle', whether in a private or public setting. Green-fingered visitors can also enjoy the petite postcard gardens supported by Tirlán CountryLife. From Enniskerry, St Mary's and St Gerard's National School will be presenting a garden designed and created by 4th class students. This postcard garden is said to embody the school's ethos of caring, connection and the love of learning. Additionally, a huge wool sculpture made by Bray textile artist Sharon Wells is set to be on display in the Irish Craft Village. Portach Álainn (Beautiful Bogland) is made using Irish grown wool and recycled yarns to create dragonflies, heather, bog cotton and moss More than 100 food and craft drink producers will feature as part of the food offering, including Wicklow-based businesses Miena's Nougat, an award winning nougat company from Donard, and Sugarloaf Beverages, based in Enniskerry. How to Train your Dragon hits Irish cinemas from June 13.
