New growth for
Carndonagh Garden Centre
06.02.25
COMMUNITY-based social
enterprise Spraoi agus Spórt has announced that it is
the new owner of the Carndonagh Nursery & Garden Centre.
The organisation takes over from Danny and Mary
McLaughlin who are retiring after 27 years at the helm
of the popular business.
Spraoi agus Spórt will operate the business as usual
with exciting plans for the future of the centre. The
former owners say they are delighted that the garden
centre is remaining in the community and that all jobs
are protected.
“It is wonderful that ownership of the nursery and
centre remains in the community,” says Spraoi agus Spórt
CEO, Helen Nolan. “It was something that Danny and Mary
wanted, and we are very proud that we were able to make
that happen. There was a fear that if the space sold, it
would no longer remain as a garden centre for the area.”
“Danny and Mary have followed the journey of Spraoi agus
Spórt and wanted the space to support our work with
people with disability. The business will remain an
operating garden centre ensuring their staff’s jobs are
protected, and business as usual for their longstanding
customers. Access to a garden centre space, facilities
and staff knowledge also offers exciting new
possibilities for Spraoi agus Spórt.” |
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Former Carndonagh Nursery
and Garden Centre owners Danny and Mary McLaughlin hand
over keys to Spraoi agus Spórt CEO, Helen Nolan and
Chair Patricia Lee. |
On-site horticultural
training is among the plans that Spraoi agus Spórt have
for the nursery and garden centre. As with all Spraoi
agus Spórt activities, the training will be inclusive of
people with disability and autism. Programmes will teach
people of various ages how to grow their own plants for
food. These will include transition year students and
those undertaking the Leaving Cert Applied.
A sensory garden will be developed if Spraoi agus Spórt
is successful with a funding application from the
Community Recognition Fund. After-school clubs and ‘Get
Gardening’ clubs are also in their plans.
Helen says the long-term vision of Spraoi agus Spórt is
to make the Carndonagh Nursery & Garden Centre a
destination space: “We want the garden centre to be a
welcoming place for both locals and visitors. We plan
for it to be used as a community meeting space.
Sustainability is at the heart of Spraoi agus Spórt’s
focus, so we have plans for a farmers’ market that will
promote locally grown produce. It can also sell the
vegetables grown by our local young people as part of
their on-site programmes.”
“We want to assure existing customers that their needs
will still be met, and outstanding gift vouchers will be
honoured. We look forward to welcoming those customers
and providing the same great customer service.
Meanwhile, we hope to attract new customers and others
who can benefit from this space. We foresee the garden
centre as being a vibrant place that people will want to
come to all year round. We plan to use it for many
Spraoi agus Spórt events.”
Patricia Lee, Chair of Spraoi agus Spórt, says the
garden centre is a perfect fit with the work of the
organisation. “As a social enterprise, it is important
to scale deep and have impact within our own community.
Children with disability that we began working with 14
years ago are now adults with differing needs. As a
board and staff team, our long-term goal was always to
facilitate meaningful employment for them. The garden
centre will help provide that, starting with training
opportunities.”
“Danny and Mary put their life’s work into Carndonagh
Nursery & Garden Centre. It was their heart and soul.
They can now retire peacefully knowing that their
beloved business is in good hands with Spraoi agus Spórt.”
“We wish to thank Kieran Gillespie, AIB NW Business
Centre, in conjunction with the local AIB Carndonagh
Branch, for their support with the purchase of our new
business venture. We also want to thank A&L Goodbody for
all their pro bono help and support on this project,
especially Aoife Redmond and Sam Sheridan.”
“Spraoi agus Spórt hope that the local community will
support us in this exciting venture. As a social
enterprise all proceeds generated by the nursery and
garden centre will be reinvested in our services, which
is good news for local families, children and young
people.” |
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