Mullingar Garden Show: a Blooming Success

Report and photos by Jayde G Forde

The Mullingar Garden District Gardening Club, a staple in the community since its inception in 1978, hosted its annual garden show at the Community Centre on Saturday, the first garden show since 2019, following a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Gardening Club, which had its beginnings in the late 1970s, has been a consistent presence in the community, hosting yearly shows that celebrate the horticultural talents of local gardeners.

“Due to Covid, we didn’t have any shows since 2019,” said Danny Dunne, club chairperson. “The club got back to work in 2022, visiting other people’s gardens, and last year, we resumed our monthly meetings, but without a show. It’s wonderful to be back fully this year.” The club has been holding regular meetings every third Thursday of the month, starting in March, followed by guest speakers in April, May, and June. July features a club trip, while August is reserved for the show. In September to November face-to-face meetings return, with activities like floral art demonstrations and a Christmas dinner.

This year’s show was notable for the participation of new members. “We had about 14 new entrants in the competition, which generally doesn’t happen,” Danny said. “In total, 31 people exhibited today, including children.”

Competitions were held in categories including dahlias, cacti and succulents, flower arranging, vegetables, and preserves. A perpetual trophy was awarded to the individual who accumulated the most points or caught the judge’s eye with their display. Mullingar and District Gardening Club Trophy Winners 2024 were Carmel Reid, Geraldine Rabbitte, Leah Smyth, Ann Russell and Peter McCrum.

In third place with a total of 34 points winning the Joe Daly Memorial Trophy was Betty Mimnagh Dunne, in second place with a total of 176 points and winning the Model Garden Trophy was Christina Smyth and in first place with a total of 246 points and overall winner of the Bank of Ireland Perpetual Trophy and show champion for 2024 was Danny Dunne.

The club continues to welcome new members, encouraging gardening enthusiasts of all ages to join. Meetings will resume in September, and continue every third Thursday.

Mullingar and District Gardening Club Trophy Winners 2024

1. The Potterton Trophy for the best exhibit in the Dahlia Classes, Carmel Reid

2. The Ben Lambden Memorial Trophy for the best exhibit in the Fuchsia Classes, Danny Dunne

3. The Midland Perpetual trophy for the best exhibit in the geranium/pelargonium classes, Christina Smyth

4. The Keenan O’Connor perpetual Trophy for the best exhibit for hanging baskets, Danny Dunne

5. The Geraldine Rabbitte trophy for the best exhibit in the rose section, Geraldine Rabbitte

6. Award for the best exhibit in the children’s classes, Leah Smyth

7. The Ann O’Sullivan cup for the best exhibit in flower arranging, Ann Russell

8. A medal for the best exhibit in the fruit and vegetable classes, Carmel Reid

9. The Noreen Clarke Perpetual Trophy for the best exhibit in the photography section, Christina Smyth

10. The Evelyn Sherwin Cup for the best exhibit in classes 2-5, cacti and succulent, Danny Dunne

11. The Fred Carter Shield for the best exhibit in sweetpeas, Betty Mimnagh Dunne

12. The Danny Dunne Cup for the winner of the highest number of points in fruit and Vegetables, Danny Dunne

13. The Mullingar Gardening Club Shield for the Competitor with the best exhibit in the show, Danny Dunne

14. The Brady family perpetual trophy for the best exhibit in preserves and Jams, Christina Smyth

15. The Kathleen Dunne Memorial Shield, for the best exhibit by a first-time entrant, Peter McCrum

16. In third place with a total of 34 points winning the Joe Daly Memorial Trophy, Betty Mimnagh Dunne

18. In second place with a total of 176 points and wins the Model Garden Trophy, Christina Smyth

19. In first place with a total of 246 points and overall winner of the Bank of Ireland Perpetual Trophy and show champion for 2024, Danny Dunne.