GLAS Special: IHNSA: promoting green urban landscapes with native Irish plants

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine - Martin Heydon, IHNSA chair - Val Farrell and policy executive - Amy Mulchrone at the launch of DAFM Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2026-2030. IHNSA are members of DAFM Plant Health & Biosecurity Stakeholder Network.

In its representative capacity, IHNSA advocates for its members and the wider horticultural industry

Horticulture

Read More: GLAS 2026 GLAS Special IHNSA

15 July 2026

The Irish Hardy Nursery Stock Association (IHNSA) is a commodity sector within the horticultural section of the IFA and is the representative body of nursery stock producers whose main objective is to advance and protect the interests of primary producers of hardy nursery stock.

Horticulture apprenticeships

The IHNSA, Teagasc and the Botanic Gardens Horticulture apprenticeship equip apprentices with the knowledge, skills and competence to work in their chosen field of horticulture.

The apprenticeship scheme currently has apprentices enrolled from September 2024 and 2025 courses. There is increasing demand for the apprenticeship year on year with the next course to commence in September 2026. The first group of graduates have graduated this year after completing the two-year programme.

Employers must be registered in advance of applying for an apprentice. Apprentices can be employed before commencing their apprenticeship.

IHNSA’s duties

The IHNSA serves as a unified voice for the nursery stock industry. They operate through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advocacy to support the growth and development of its members and the horticultural sector.

As a member of the European Nursery Stock Association, IHNSA provides insight into the state of play of the Irish nursery sector in Europe.

The association liaises with government agencies, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to ensure that the concerns and needs of nursery stock producers and suppliers are considered in relevant policies, regulations, and legislation.

European Nurserystock Association (ENA)

The Irish Hardy Nurserystock Association (IHNSA) and Irish Farmers Association (IFA) hosted the ENA Summer Meeting from the 28th June to the 01st July 2026.

It marked 20 years since the IHNSA and IFA hosted the ENA Summer meeting in 2006. With over 20 delegates, secretaries and partners welcomed from across the European Union and beyond, the programme was packed with Irish Nursery visits to some of Ireland’s leading nurseries including Tully’s, Pat Fitzgerald and Kelly’s.

The programme included a visit to Botanic Gardens Dublin, where delegates had the opportunity to interact with Teagasc horticulture staff who lead the way for Irish Horticulture education, training and research.