South Tipp nursery's role in kicking carbon footprint into touch
The clever idea of a Dundrum businessman has created a link between two of the most famous 'brands' in Munster with the aim of helping the environment.
Frank Alley, who manages the family run Dundrum Nurseries, has created a link between Thomond Park rugby stadium and luxury hotel Dromoland Castle which will see the South Tipperary company supplying sapling trees to the county Clare hotel.
Both companies want to reduce their carbon footprint. Thomond Park hope to do this by sponsoring the planting of trees, which will take place at Dromoland CAstle.
Dundrum Nurseries have supplied trees and plants to both Thomond Park and Dromoland Castle for several years now - Dromoland Castle for eight years and Thomond Park since the new stadium was opened three years ago. Frank introduced the two groups to start off this new co-operation between them.
According to Frank, Dromoland Castle are more advanced with their business plan and have a goal to be the first carbon neutral hotel in Ireland by 2012.
Both companies are looking into changing to alternative, more environmentally friendly energy sources too. For example Thomond Park are looking into replacing oil based electricity with a renewable combined heat and power unit. This is a long term plan.
In the short term, Frank is maintaining his business relationship with both companies, who are key customers of Dundrum Nurseries and who is he very happy to be associated with. Dromoland Castle will need trees, year in year out, he says. He also work on the landscaping of Dromoland's sister castle in Castlemartyr, Cork.
The move by Thomond Park and Dromoland Castle reflects a move by business to take responsibility for their carbon footprints, Frank explained. He sees it as an area nurseries can diversify in to, providing business opportunities while helping the environment.
He says Dundrum Nurseries have had inquiries from businessmen who want to include something in their property portfolio for posterity, to know they leave something to exist into the future.
Frank said he appreciated the endorsement of the Thomond Park-Dromoland Castle project by Green Party senator Dan Boyle, adding that he would welcome further government initiatives to help the environment and generate business.
Dundrum Nurseries is based on 100 acres in the village of Dundrum. Frank now manages the family firm which was built up, over 30 years, by his parents Peter and Josie, who are both still very much involved in the business with him. Peter recently produced the hit success open air Oklahoma in Boherlahan and Josie has had a hand in many gardens in South Tipperary during her 30 years at the nursery.
A claim to fame for Dundrum Nurseries is that they are the donor garden centre for the vegetable plot project on the Colm and Lucy Show on 2FM. The project was conceived by the late Gerry Ryan and was started last April. It features on the radio show every Friday.
The current economic downturn has affected DUndrum Nurseries, like all businesses, but they still employ 20 people at the centre, which is open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 2pm to 6pm on Sundays.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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