CAFRE Horticulture students discover Ireland’s Garden County

Date published: 23 July 2025

The Level 3 final year Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Horticulture students were offered the trip as they approached the end of their two-year course at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. Presenting a unique opportunity to explore some of the country’s most iconic gardens and horticultural attractions, bringing classroom learning to life, students headed off on their three-day trip.

A highlight of the trip was a stop at The Arboretum, one of the area’s leading garden centres. Students received a behind-the-scenes talk on the history of the site and the challenges facing the horticultural retail sector. The session tied in perfectly with their Retail Management and Customer Care module, offering real-world insights into how businesses adapt and thrive in a competitive market.

Adjacent to the Arboretum, students explored Rachel’s Secret Garden, a stunning exhibition of over 20 permanent gardens designed by some of Ireland’s top landscapers. With a wide variety of styles, themes, and planting schemes, the gardens provided a rich source of inspiration for students which tied in with their Design, Landscaping, and Plant Identification modules. The concept of rotating and refreshing garden spaces sparked ideas for similar projects that could be replicated back on campus and gave inspiration to some considering their own start-up businesses.

The tour also included a visit to Glendalough, a historic estate nestled in a dramatic natural landscape. Here, students gained a deeper appreciation for estate management and the importance of working with, rather than against, nature. The scale and serenity of the site offered a powerful lesson in the beauty and sustainability of natural landscapes.

At Mount Usher Gardens, students followed self-guided trails through a diverse and immersive landscape, quickly naming it one of their favourite stops. The garden’s variety in scale, plant selection, and design offered endless learning opportunities and left a lasting impression with the group.

The final stop on the tour was Powerscourt Estate, a site of international acclaim. The contrast between its formal layout and the looser style of Mount Usher sparked valuable discussions on garden design philosophies. The hidden gem of Powerscourt’s Japanese Garden was especially admired for its tranquil beauty and intricate detail.

This study tour allowed students to connect their academic modules with real-world applications, deepening their understanding of horticultural design, retail, and estate management. It also fostered creativity, critical thinking, and a renewed passion for their field.

Ian Price, a Lecturer on the Horticulture course at CAFRE commented: “Visiting the gardens helped the students appreciate the work and creativity that goes into every design. There is no doubt that the students were inspired by what’s possible in Horticulture. The study tour certainly enriched their perspective of the opportunities horticulture offers.”

If you are interested in following a career that involves lots of opportunities for practical learning, there’s still time to apply to study Horticulture at CAFRE. With full-time and part-time courses available from Level 2 through to Honours Degree, discover a course for you. Visit: www.cafre.ac.uk for more information.