The “science” of the jellyfish sting, what to do if you get stung, and the different species in Irish waters are themes of a dedicated garden at the Bloom festival in Dublin’s Phoenix Park this weekend.
The jellyfish garden has been developed by University College Cork scientist Dr Tom Doyle, botanical artist Shevaun Doherty, and Blarney Castle head gardener and designer Adam Whitbourn.
The garden design, which is funded by Science Foundation Ireland, involves a “Kreisel” aquarium with live moon jellyfish in circular flowing water.
“Kreisel” comes from the German word for “merry-go-round”.
Dr Doyle says he hopes to “take the sting and fear” out of jellyfish generally while also informing the public about the many different types found in these waters and their lifecycle.
“The aim of the garden is to “take jellyfish out of the sea”, and place them in a very different environment – a garden, where we can compare them with plants and flowers so that the viewer sees them in a different and positive light rather than just fear them,” Dr Doyle has said.
Bord Bia Bloom is open from 9 am to 6 pm daily until June 5th at Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
