Irish Orchid Society celebrates return of Spring Show after seven-year hiatus

After a seven-year absence, the Irish Orchid Society is bringing back its celebrated Spring Show and Exhibition, promising a weekend of botanical wonder and expertise for both orchid enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.

Set for the first weekend of March (1st-2nd), this free public event will transform the visitor centre into a haven of exotic blooms and botanical artistry. The exhibition marks a significant moment for Ireland's orchid community, bringing together collectors, experts, and nature lovers under one roof.

International flavour comes to this year's show with featured speaker Challen Willemsen, a Guatemalan ecologist and member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Orchid Specialist Group. Fresh from receiving an American Orchid Society Conservation Grant, Willemsen will take visitors on a virtual journey through the neotropical orchid habitats of Central and South America.

Morse will lead a practical workshop on home orchid care, addressing common growing challenges faced by indoor gardeners.

The show features several unique elements:

• a hands-on "Orchid Surgery" where visitors can bring their struggling plants for expert diagnosis
• an exhibition of botanical art featuring works by renowned Irish artists Susan Sex and Deborah Lambkin
• historic botanical illustrations from the NBG Library Archive
• a comprehensive look at Ireland's wild orchids, drawing on expert Brendan Sayers' authoritative work on native species

The exhibition will run from 12-4pm on Saturday and 10.30am-3.30pm on Sunday at The Visitor Centre in The National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Admission is free, with donations to support the Society's work warmly welcomed.

Contact Information:

David Morse

Chair, Irish Orchid Society

Email: chair@irishorchidsociety.org