“For the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to pursue Horticulture studies at Tramore Road Campus. This course stands out thanks to the teachers’ professional knowledge and the academic staff, who foster a supportive learning environment.
The field trips were the highlights, including visits to Blarney Castle Gardens, Fota Arboretum, Croke Park, The Apple Farm, National Botanical Gardens, Nangle & Niesen Nursery and Waterfall Farms. These allowed us to witness horticultural practices in action and gain insights into crop management and business opportunities. There is a very strong emphasis on work experience throughout the year, and we produced a bedding plant crop for our annual plant sale in May. I also grew fruit & vegetable crops outdoors and in glasshouses at the college.
I was lucky to participate in the Erasmus + SIVE project (Sustainability in Vocational Education), where teams from various countries exchanged best practices in promoting biodiversity and sustainable transportation. Our visit to Brakel, Germany, included exploring a medieval open-air museum, a bison sanctuary, and a regenerative farm. I am now pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Ecology & Environmental Biology at UCC and receiving a Uversity scholarship which will support my journey for the next four years. If you’re considering horticultural education, I highly recommend this program. It’s a rewarding pathway to a world of green opportunities.”