Small Talk with Billy Kelly of Kelly’s Nursery
Billy Kelly, director of Kelly’s Nursery, shares insights on building a thriving horticultural business, overcoming challenges, and his hopes for the future of Irish horticulture
Print14 November 2024
In association with Tully 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 month’s conversation is with Billy Kelly, director of Kelly’s Nursery.
How did you get your start in horticulture?
I began working in Model Nursery Horseleap at the age of 14 on Saturdays and School holidays.
Following the Leaving Cert, I studied in The Salesian College Warrenstown for two years. After seven years of working in Model Nursery, I set up Kelly’s Nursery in 1991.
What was one of the proudest moments in your career to date?
Pride comes before a fall. We are constantly looking at products, the Market place and what we can do to improve.
What was one of the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career to date?
Probably the frost on Christmas eve 2010, it reached -19 degrees celsius, killing approximately 80% of our stock.
Give us an example of a recent success you had in your work.
We are continually improving our infrastructure and have recently completed a 10,000 M2 extension.
What are the greatest challenges facing the industry today?
The biggest challenge seems to be availability of labour and rising costs.
What are the greatest opportunities facing the industry today?
There is always opportunity in business, keep an open mind and always be adaptable to change.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their career in horticulture?
Hard work and attention to detail together with good customer service are essential.
What are your hopes for the future of Irish horticulture?
Irish horticulture has a bright future provided we continue to invest in skills and infrastructure.
Kelly’s Nursery Ltd is a wholesale nursery catering to nurseries, landscapers, garden centres, county councils, developers, golf clubs, and landscape architects.
The nursery offers competitive prices and quick order turnaround, specialising in hedging and shelter belt plants, along with a broad selection of trees, conifers, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.
Small Talk is produced in association with Tully Nurseries, one of Ireland’s wholesale nurseries supplying landscape contractors, garden centres, DIYs and supermarkets in Ireland and the UK. For more visit tullynurseries.ie
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