May Bank Holiday Weekend, 4th – 6th May
Glenarm Castle’s popular Tulip festival is back this May bank holiday, Saturday 4th– Monday 6th May. Now in its 7th year, the Glenarm Castle Tulip Festival is not only a firm fixture in the horticulture calendar but is widely recognised as Ireland’s only Tulip Festival. Sponsored by Bloms Blubs, the gardening team at Glenarm Castle has planted some 8,500 tulips which will provide a colourful and spectacular display.
Amongst the tulips on display this year are Monte Carlo a rich yellow peony-flower tulip with delicious scent, Black Hero a dark peony flower, Orange Princess and fringed tulips called Flamingo and Barbados. As with all gardens the weather plays a vital role in the final result and the team at Glenarm Castle have gone through a number of weather challenges since the bulb planting began back in November.
Reg Maxwell, Garden Adviser to the gardening team at Glenarm Castle, explains:
“I was manager at Botanic Gardens for many years but now I provide advice to the team at Glenarm Castle. I have recorded weather patterns for over 40 yrs but I now find that these are no longer seasonal but simply erratic. This makes an annual tulip display a challenge. This year, due to the late winter, the Glenarm Castle Gardening team has been working very hard to ensure that there is a fantastic tulip display. This has included careful drainage and the dressing of the beds. Hopefully the weather will be on our side as there will certainly be wonderful tulips and beautiful colours to see this year!”
The Festival will also include local crafts, children’s entertainment, food and music and a representative from Bloms Blubs will be available to discuss bulb requirements for the year. The famous Glenarm Castle Express Train will also make a welcome return (Bank Holiday Monday Only) which will take visitors to the Castle for tours or further up the Estate in showing them a little bit more of the grounds. Admission prices to the Tulip Festival are £5 for adults, £2.50 for Youth (12 – 16 years), and Children Under 12 go FREE.
For further information visit www.glenarmcastle.com