Free Seminars

Learning Theatre – Free Talks

The dynamic nature of our industry brings both challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of the sector. The hugely popular Learning Theatre at this year’s GLAS – proudly supported by Bord Bia – features talks from leading experts on some of the hottest trends and topics across our industry.

Check back for the latest closer to the show.

– 2025 TIMETABLE –

10am – 10.30am Managing future pest and disease threats to the Nursery sector

Presented by Michael Gaffney, Teagasc

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11am – 11.30am The Growing Awareness of the Value of Good Garden and Landscape Design

Join members of the GLDA and Cairn Homes, for a lively and insightful discussion on the growing awareness of good garden design and public realm landscaping and the value it brings to individuals and communities.

Presented by Ingrid Smyth, MGLDA, Ingrid Smyth Garden Design.

Deirdre Prince, MGLDA & ILI, Dublin City Council.

Frazer McDonogh MGLDA, Rock & Waterscapes/ Frazer McDonogh Designs

Oisin Griffin, Head of Landscape & Urban Design, CAIRN Homes.

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12pm – 12.30pm An overview and update on the 2025 Horticulture Apprenticeships in Teagasc

Every horticulture business needs to look at the apprenticeship programme and evaluate if it will be able to offer a skills solution in the medium to long term.

This year we will see the completion of the programme for the first cohort of Horticulture apprentices that started the new Horticulture apprenticeship in 2023. That group, which were all Landscapers are all working in the industry and have completed their College based part of the programme. These young people are now ideally placed to grow their careers in the Hort sector and add innovation and energy to the sector.

The Teagasc College of Horticulture in conjunction with the industry is now entering the third year of intake of Horticulture apprentices at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. Currently there are up to 100 horticulture businesses across the country registered in full or in part, to take on apprentices in Horticulture.

If you want to find out more information and chat directly to staff involved in the programme then please visit us at the Teagasc stand at GLAS 2025.

Presented by John Mulhern, Teagasc

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1pm – 1.30pm How Biochar is changing the game in the horticulture and sports amenity world!

Recent and ongoing trials using Biochar in the Irish and USA horticulture and sports amenity sectors are delivering promising and interesting results. With the largest operating biochar facility in Europe based in Arigna, Co. Roscommon, its CEO Cathal Fitzgerald is well placed to highlight the trials, the results, and the opportunities it presents. Come and learn more about this game changing product and how it can benefit horticulture.

Presented by Cathal Fitzgerald, CEO ARIGNA Group

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2pm – 2.45pm Panel Discussion – Beyond Peat – Another year on

Last year we discussed the growing media industry’s position, in light of peat alternatives, in response to the peat crisis issue in Ireland with large scale extraction of peat ceasing in 2020. This year we invite a new dynamic by including a grower, DAFM, and a retail growing media producer onto the panel. We will also retain last year’s professional growing media and Teagasc representatives. A year further on we examine what is the current situation from different viewpoints. As last year we encourage audience participation.

Moderator:
Anna Kavanagh, Horticultural Expert and former Head of Technical, Quality and Research Development with Bord Na Mona.

Speakers:
Grower – Billy Kelly, Kelly’s Nursery

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine – Deirdre Fay

Retail Growing Media Producer – James Spillane, Westland Horticulture

Teagasc – Dr Eoghan Corbett

Professional Growing Media Producer – Brendan Howell, ICL

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3pm – 3.30pm Total Solutions for Peat Reduced Growing

Presented by: Andrew Wilson, Technical Manager, ICL

Discover the cutting-edge innovations behind ICL’s sustainable growing solutions. Join Technical Manager, Andrew Wilson, as he unveils the latest advancements in Levington Advance growing media – including results from this year’s extensive trials – and explores how ICL’s integrated ‘Total Solutions’ package combines nutrition, water management, and sustainability.

Who should attend? Growers, horticultural consultants, production managers / staff, horticultural distributors.”