Warrenstown student takes top honours

Warrenstown College of Horticulture in Drumree may be closing next month, but its students are still making their mark on the national stage. Bachelor of Science in Horticulture student Jimmy O"Connor was recently named the RDS Horticulture Student of the Year, and was presented with his award by Minister of State for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent, TD, at a special ceremony in the RDS. He was awarded an RDS perpetual trophy, an RDS Silver Medal and a cheque for €2,500. The Galway man hopes to use the prizemoney to visit and study the flora of the tundra regions of Canada. He is no stranger to winning the big prizes, having stormed home to win the Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition back in 2007, an award that recognises the best young horticulturalist from across the UK and Ireland. These awards also act as a fitting tribute to the work of the staff of the Salesian College of Horticulture in Warrenstown which is due to close this summer after 86 years of serving not just horticulture, but also the entire agriculture sector as well as the wider rural areas of Ireland. Each year, all five colleges of horticulture in Ireland nominate their two best final year students to compete for this award. From the 10 nominees, selection is based on their career to date, knowledge of horticulture and plans for the nominees" future careers. Anne James, chairperson of the judging panel, described Jimmy O"Connor as a very talented young person who was opting for a career in the rapidly expanding amenity horticulture area.