BELFAST ROSE WEEK

City of Belfast Rose in Lady Dixon Park Photo: © Michael Fisher

The international rose garden at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in South Belfast is one of the world’s leading rose gardens, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Rose Week, with its full programme of activities, is a celebration of this spectacular rose garden and is now one of Belfast’s most popular annual events.

Brilliant Korsar rose by Kordes from Germany: Historical section, trials 2011-13 Photo: © Michael Fisher

There were not many visitors this afternoon (Friday), possibly because of the very unsummerlike weather. Maybe there will be more on Saturday and Sunday. But the extensive collection of various types of roses was very colourful, although some of the historical varieties seem to be past their best as their petals have been blown away by the wind.

Rose of Tralee Photo: © Michael Fisher

The event promises a week of family fun including:

live music and entertainment
floral art demonstrations
summer rose and flower show exhibitions.
Dawn Chorus Photo: © Michael Fisher

Getting to Rose Week: Free shuttle bus

During Rose Week a free shuttle bus service direct to Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park operates daily at 20 minute intervals from the grounds of Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square East. The service commences at 12 noon and the last bus leaves City Hall at 5pm. The drop-off and collection point at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park is in the upper car park. The return journey from the park begins at 12.20pm and operates every 20 minutes with the last bus leaving the park at 5.20pm.

Benita rose Photo: © Michael Fisher

Free park and ride from Drumbo Park

During Rose Week a free park and ride service operates daily between Drumbo Park, Ballyskeagh Road and Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. The service starts at 12noon and the last bus leaves Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park at 5.20pm.

La Sevillana climber rose, France Photo: © Michael Fisher

Car parking

Car parking is available in the main car parks and Rose Week car parks at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park. Where possible, cars will be permitted access close to Wilmont House for the purpose of leaving off elderly or disabled visitors. Cars must then be parked in one of the main car parks.

Arthur Bell rose Photo: © Michael Fisher

City of Belfast international rose trials

Yesterday (Thursday) a panel of international judges completed the final judging of the City of Belfast international rose trials. The awards for the winning rose breeders are sponsored by Belfast City Council, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tourism NI, Clive Richardson Ltd and Eventsec.

Daily events

Harp music in the rose garden, 2pm – 5pm
Belfast Parks photographic exhibition in the marquee, Saturday 11am – 5.30pm and Sunday 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Bouncy castle near Wilmont House, Thursday to Sunday
Face painting, balloon modelling and children’s tattooing in the playground area, times vary each afternoon
Punch and Judy in the playground area, Friday to Sunday at 2.30pm
Competitions in the rose garden – competition forms available from the information marquee, adjacent to Wilmont House, Saturday from 11am – 5.30pm and Sunday from 1.30pm – 5.30pm.
A classic rose: Romance Photo: © Michael Fisher

Saturday 18th July

Recycling workshop, 1pm – 5pm
Bouncy castle, 1pm – 5pm
Kiddies safari train, 1pm – 5pm
Rodeo bull, 1pm – 5pm
Swing chair ride, 1pm – 5pm
Magic show for children, 3.45pm
Summer stalls, 11am – 5.30pm
Summer rose and flower show, 2pm – 5.30pm
Ulster-Scots Agency Juvenile Pipe Band, 12noon – 1pm
Templemore Silver Band, 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Peach Pop, 3pm – 5pm
Streetwise Stiltwalker, 1pm – 5pm
Babcock and Bobbins, 1pm – 5pm

Sunday 19th July

Recycling workshop, 1pm – 5pm
Bouncy castle, 1pm – 5pm
Kiddies safari train, 1pm – 5pm
Rodeo bull, 1pm – 5pm
Swing chair ride, 1pm – 5pm
Magic show for children, 3.45pm
Summer stalls, 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Summer rose and flower show, 2pm – 5.30pm
Drumlough Pipe Band, 12noon – 1pm
3rd Carrickfergus Silver Band, 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Acoustocratz, 3pm – 5pm
Streetwise Stiltwalker, 1pm – 5pm
Babcock and Bobbins, 1pm – 5pm

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