^{Claire Faulkner, Director of Garden Show Ireland}

At to-day’s launch of the Garden Festival, Director of Garden Show Ireland, Claire Faulkner said, “We are absolutely thrilled with the move to Hillsborough Castle. The Walled Garden is a treasure, a hidden haven. The whole concept for the Garden Festival has changed this year with the move to our new venue. Visitors will be able to take part in all the activities of the Festival and then wander through Hillsborough Castle’s enchanting gardens and on into the beautiful historic village of Hillsborough. It becomes a complete day’s entertainment for all members of the family, or a fun week-end away.”

Top international horticulturalists will be displaying their skills in inspiring gardens and displays of unusual plants and flowers. Author and broadcaster John Cushnie who is one of the judges said, “Garden Show Ireland has become a well supported and much loved all Ireland gardening show. Whether you are a green fingered gardener or a budding enthusiast, you will find lots of wonderful plants and garden necessities to take home. And the setting is idyllic. This historic walled garden still displays wall trained fruit trees from a bygone age.”

Free advice will be on hand from designers and gardening gurus in the Design Clinic sponsored by the Northern Bank, the Propertynews.com Garden Walkabout and the Bayer Garden Roadshow in association with Garden Answers and Garden News. And for those who like to cook what they grow and make the best of Northern Ireland’s local produce, Celebrity Chef Jenny Bristow will be doing demonstrations at the NI Seafood Garden Gourmet.

Sustainable gardens is a theme running through the show and the Environment and Heritage Service is sponsoring an area dedicated to the conservation of a very precious resource to all gardeners, our water.

Alderman Edwin Poots, Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee welcomed the Garden Festival to the area, “We are delighted that the Garden Festival will be held in the picturesque award winning village of Hillsborough .The Garden Festival is attracting visitors from all over Ireland and beyond these shores and it will have a significant impact on the local economy.”

Said Councillor Jim Rodgers, Northern Ireland Events Company, “The Garden Festival at Hillsborough Castle is a superb opportunity to put this area on the map and I am delighted to see the promotion it is attracting overseas.  It is wonderful to see the gardens of Hillsborough Castle being open to the public like this.”

In response Dermot O’Neill, Horticulturalist and Broadcaster, and Judge at Garden Show Ireland who launched the Garden Festival said, “ Gardening is one of those magical pastimes or hobbies that appeals to every age group and all social backgrounds. The walled garden at Hillsborough Castle offers the perfect setting for Garden Show Ireland's annual event. The new venue offers a unique setting which will be appreciated by gardeners and non-gardeners alike. Garden Show Ireland offers the perfect family day out in an historic location which has rarely been open to the public. This garden festival has now become firmly established as the country's leading horticultural event."  Children are admitted to the Garden Festival free of charge and there will be activities to keep them busy getting their hands dirty in the Little Green Fingers workshop.