Beechgrove Landscapes

Green fingers have passed down through generations of the Collins family. Dating back four generations my Great Grandfather was head gardener in the 'Great House in Kilmorna, Listowel, Co. Kerry - a place where Charles Stewart Parnell would visit.Following in his footsteps both my grandfather and granduncle were also gardeners to become the first of the family to grow for commercial purpose. From this change Collins Nurseries was established in 1958 by Patrick Collins known locally as ' Paddy Collins the Nurseries'.

Paddy was the forefront of the Nurseries both growing and selling to the public either here at the nursery as you see it today or at market stalls throughout West Limerick, North Cork and North Kerry. Larry his bother grew plants and hedging at home on the family farm and supplied these to Paddy at the nursery in Upper Athea.

The next generation of horticulturists followed - my father Jim and his brother Frank. Jim opened up a new market for this family business - this new realm was landscape gardening and maintenance. The nursery was developed into a garden centre for sometime until the mid 1990's by my parents. As the demand for landscape design grew this is where Jim decided to concentrate his time and energy for a period of 40 years. Frank worked at the nursery for sometime and then headed to create green pastures of his own in Cahir Co. Tipperary.

Beechgrove Landscapes is now another business under the Collins umbrella. Our team and I have been operating this landscape service for 10 years in Limerick, Kerry, Cork and Clare region and have enjoyed providing this professional service to clients.

Recently I took the reigns over at the home and have decided to reopen the Nursery as it was - keeping the tradition of the Collins family and honouring its founder Paddy Collins - my granduncle. The glasshouses are the original houses that were built by Paddy and have been maintained down through the years. I have planned the garden centre layout around these original structures. Going forward I plan to grow this business for the benefit of our customers suiting their needs and ever changing requirements.

What I have bought as this generation of a family legacy is extended garden services, professional and innovative garden solutions while still nuturing the value of family, home and how your garden is a reflection of this.

Gearoid Collins