Small Talk with assistant principal at Teagasc’s College in Kildalton – Gráinne McMahon

Assistant principal at Teagasc’s College in Kildalton – Gráinne McMahon

"Horticulture is such a hidden industry and most people don’t realise how much it impacts their lives" - Gráinne McMahon talks about her hopes for the future of Irish horticulture

Horticulture

6 May 2026

In association with Gardenworld Nurseries

At Growtrade, we’re running an interview series titled ‘Small Talk’, where we talk to various influential members of Ireland’s horticulture trade.

This week’s conversation is with an assistant principal at Teagasc’s College in Kildalton, Co Kilkenny, responsible for horticulture, student welfare, access, security, and rules and regulations – Gráinne McMahon.

How did you first get involved in the horticulture sector?

One of my earliest memories is picking potatoes in the garden at home. I’m not sure I picked many, but growing food was always an integral part of my life growing up. I spent a lot of my youth in our home vegetable garden, initially to avoid having to do chores in the house, but then because I was drawn to it. I loved being outdoors, getting my hands in the soil and experimenting. I was fortunate that my interest was fostered by my parents and I was encouraged to sow seed, take cuttings and watch them grow. At 15 my first paid job was picking mushroom. As I hail from Monaghan this was not as unusual as it might seem, although a great experience, it was not what inspired me to work in horticulture.

When I finished school I went to Warrenstown College, this was a revelation for me. Although I worked hard at school, I didn’t enjoy it. In Warrenstown, it felt so easy, there was such a sense of community there. It was there I realised when you are learning something you are interested in, it isn’t work. Brother O’Hare was a major influence in my life, as he was for so many others. He pushed me to do my best and encouraged me to further my studies. It was through his encouragement that I went to UCD to complete my degree.

What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?

My greatest sense of pride is in our students and graduates. Meeting people with the same enthusiasm for horticulture and thirst for knowledge as we have is what drives many teachers on. This is one of the reasons I like to go to trade shows or conferences, you never know who you will bump into. Meeting graduates and seeing what they are doing in the industry is wonderful.

What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?

Over the years, the number of students opting to study horticulture has fluctuated quite substantially and I have found this difficult. When you get such joy and satisfaction working in horticulture, it is hard to understand why more people don’t choose to study it. That said, the students who do study horticulture are so wonderful, they would lift your spirits and optimism for the future of the industry any day. Many students choose to study horticulture as a career change, and many express regret that they did not follow their instincts and study horticulture when they left school. I think we need to advocate more for the industry and promote the career opportunities to school leavers.

Could you give us an example of a recent success you had in your work?

In 2024 we held a plant fair in Kildalton College with the Irish Specialist Nursery Stock Association (ISNA). The plant fair was a huge success and showcased the college horticultural facilities and what we do. The horticultural team at Kildalton are the most dedicated and hardworking group of people and it is an honour to work within a team that never lose their enthusiasm for what we do. I was proud to show what we do in Kildalton horticultural education and promote horticulture as a career at the event.

What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?

Increasing input costs are without doubt putting immense pressure on producers. The cost of inputs has increase substantially in the last number of years. Another major challenge is recruitment. Both the lack of graduates available to fill vacancies within the industry and seasonal workers for harvesting and peak production times.

What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?

I think peoples’ attitudes are changing towards horticulture and food crops, with more education and awareness of how important fruit and vegetables are in our diet, the important of the environment we live in and how valuable our surroundings are to our lives.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

Go for it, take advantage of all opportunities that come along. Don’t pigeonhole your interest into one specific area. Keep your eyes and ears open and learn all you can. I decided from a young age that this was the industry I wanted to work in and have never regretted or second guessed that decision since then. Like many who study horticulture, I had a definite focus on a specific part of the industry I wanted to work in (for me it was nursery stock production) and I have ended up in a completely different aspect. This is one of the reasons it was so enticing as a career, you could never get bored. Horticulture is such a wonderful industry to work in, the people who work in it are so supportive and passionate about what they do, it’s contagious.

What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?

I hope that more people in society realise the value of the Irish horticultural industry and how it impacts their lives daily. This is an industry that is a constant in our lives, be it the food we eat, the plants we depend on to improve our living spaces, both from a quality and visual perspective or the sports we play. Horticulture is such a hidden industry and most people don’t realise how much it impacts their lives. We literally could not survive without horticulture. I have high hopes for horticulture in Ireland and worldwide in the future, our day will come, when society will realise just how important it is.

Small Talk is produced in association with Gardenworld Nurseries, one of the country’s leading wholesale plant nurseries, specialising in high-quality specimen trees, hedging, shrubs, and perennials.

Read more: Small Talk