Cork Man Wins All-Ireland Horticultural Student Award

17 December, 2002

Twenty-one year old, Stephen Dempsey from Carrigrohane, Co. Cork has won the all-Ireland Horticultural Student of the Year award, sponsored by the RDS.

The competition rewards the top student in the five horticultural colleges in Ireland – four in the republic and one in Northern Ireland. Stephen was one of 10 students shortlisted for the award. A panel of RDS judges selected him as the best student in the country in 2002.

Stephen graduated with a diploma in horticulture from the Teagasc College of Horticulture, Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny last June and is currently employed in Nangles Garden Centre, Cork. He was presented with the RDS medal, a perpetual trophy and a cheque for €1,270 by Pat McDermott, RDS Agricultural and Rural Affairs Executive, at a special ceremony at the Teagasc College, Kildalton.

Stephen was always committed to a career in the amenity horticultural area. He has been an active gardener since the age of 11 and worked part-time in Nangles garden centre right through secondary school.

Michael Conlon, Director of the Teagasc College at Kildalton, described Stephen Dempsey as one of the growing number of talented young people taking up careers in the rapidly expanding amenity horticultural area.

"Total consumer expenditure on amenity horticulture is now €500m per annum. The sector has grown by almost 20% a year during the past five years. While growth rates will reduce significantly, substantial expansion of the industry is projected over the next five years," said Michael Conlon.