Sightsavers showcases inclusive garden at Bord Bia Bloom festival

Sightsavers is exhibiting an accessible sensory garden at Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s largest gardening festival.

On display at Phoenix Park in Dublin from 2-6 June, Gairdín na gCéadfaí – meaning sensory garden – is Sightsavers’ first-ever inclusive garden created for people with visual impairment or sight loss.

Designed by Drake Hourigan Architects, the garden celebrates accessibility and inclusion, and draws inspiration from Sightsavers’ work and partnerships in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal and Cameroon.

The garden was developed with funding from our partners Irish Aid and An Post Insurance and features more than 25 different species of lush plants, interactive sensory objects and colourful design elements. The main path leads visitors to a meeting place under a large tree, which is decorated with West African wax print fabric sails.

Visitors can listen to guided audio descriptions on their smartphone as they move through the garden on an accessible pathway, which features a kerb to guide people who use a white cane. Wayfinding guides are also available to help visitors get to Phoenix Park and locate the garden.

Drake Hourigan Architects said: “Inspired by the work of Sightsavers, this garden is designed to be an enriching experience for people with visual impairment or sight loss. The garden draws inspiration from West Africa. A red surface pathway represents the red earth; lush bold planting echoes the tropical landscape; vibrant, colourful walls reflect urban streetscapes; the gathering space under bright sun sails, a community meeting place.”

Feargal O’Connell, CEO of Sightsavers Ireland, said: “Sightsavers Ireland is delighted to be making this sensory garden a reality at Bord Bia Bloom 2022. With Irish Aid’s support, our public engagement work aims to build awareness of issues related to disability-inclusive development through events like this.

“With the garden’s Irish name, sensory nature, West African themes and accessible features, Drake Hourigan has brilliantly integrated our identity and mission while highlighting the importance of inclusive design in this beautiful garden. We’re hugely grateful to them and our sponsor An Post Insurance for supporting our work.”

Paul Grimes, managing director of An Post Insurance, said: “An Post Insurance is delighted to continue our annual support of Sightsavers initiatives by supporting ‘a garden for Sightsavers’ at Bloom. The garden is a truly magical, sensory wonderland rooted in enriching the experience of those living with visual impairment or sight loss. As such, it brings us back to the fantastic work being done by Sightsavers across the world and An Post Insurance is honoured to be able to support it this year.”

Bord Bia Bloom runs at Phoenix Park in Dublin from 2-6 June. Tickets are available in advance from www.bordbiabloom.com

You can find more information at www.sightsavers.ie/bloom or by emailing Meadhbh [email protected]