Speaking at the opening of Bord Bia Bloom, Connolly said those taking part are ‘an absolute source of inspiration and hope’.

What and who can you expect at this year's Bloom? Keep reading to find out all you need to know.

The horticulturist and landscape architect works on projects in the public and private sector

The festival is open from 9am until 6pm each day, but with gardens, food, and more than 300 live performances over five days, it can be easy to become overwhelmed when choosing what to see and do.