Ireland's show season starts with a bang this week

Ireland's show season starts with a bang this week as the ever-popular Garden Show Ireland opens its doors in the lovely setting of Antrim Castle Gardens.

This year the programme is more packed with inspirational events than ever, including a welcome return by TV gardener Monty Don, a special recording of BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time and cooking demonstrations from local chef Paula McIntyre in the Food Pavilion.

Youngsters (of all ages!) can get their hands dirty planting flowers and seeds, watch a film at the garden cinema, go on a treasure hunt or have a go at beekeeping. Relax to the sound of the jazz band in the main bandstand, enjoy live music and garden theatre and learn a new skill, from basket weaving to greenwood carpentry.

And as always, of course, there are thousands of plants to admire and show gardens full of inspiration. Make sure you take your notebook as you'll never remember all those great ideas – and once you're home, bring it along to the garden centre where we can help you recreate that fabulous show garden look in your own back yard.

The Allianz Garden Show Ireland runs from 8-10 May. For more details visit www.gardenshowireland.com.