Antrim and Newtownabbey: Garden Show Ireland had 10,000 visitors despite 'extremely poor weather'
Garden Show Ireland attracted more than 10,000 visitors in 2025 “despite extremely poor weather”, Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have been told.
A report presented to a recent meeting of council’s Community Development Committee said the event has been held in Antrim Castle Gardens since 2014 with the exception of 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
The report described Garden Show Ireland as “a three-day celebration of flowers, food and fun for the whole family”. It went on to say for the past three years, Craft NI has been appointed to manage the artisan craft stalls at the event.
Councillors agreed to appoint Craft NI to deliver the artisan craft element of the 2026 show, which is due to take place June 12 – 14, after Dunsilly Sinn Fein Councillor Annie O’Lone proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the appointment, seconded by Ballyclare Independent Cllr Michael Stewart.
The report noted Craft NI “supports and promotes the craft industry as an integral, entrepreneurial, and vibrant part of the region’s economic and cultural infrastructure”.
It stated that Craft NI sourced and managed 18 artisan craft traders for Garden Show Ireland last year and has “committed to ensuring that local craft makers based within the borough are encouraged and supported to participate” with a target of 40% who are residents in the borough taking part.
The report indicated that Craft NI will charge each craft maker £250 to participate – 50% of the fee will be retained by Craft NI as a management fee and 50% of the fee will be paid to the council. This amounted to £2,250 last year.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter