Each month, we focus the spotlight on a Tirlán employee. For our April edition, we’re talking with Helena Kelly, Horticulturist at Tirlán CountryLife Monasterevin

Helena joined Tirlán in February 2011. Originally from Tipperary, Helena moved to Kildare in 2007, drawn by the region’s reputation as a hub of Irish horticulture. Helena’s journey in horticulture began in nurseries in Tipperary, North Kildare, and Dublin. Despite facing challenges such as severe winters that impacted the nurseries, Helena’s passion for plants and dedication to her work led her to joining the team at Monasterevin.

Helena’s background is rooted in horticulture. She studied Horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, and later upskilled in Landscape Design and General Horticulture, again at the National Botanic Gardens. Her extensive knowledge and love for plants have been the driving force behind her successful career.

Helena’s personable approach to customer service and her ability to adapt to challenges make her a valuable asset to our team. “I like catering for every kind of customer. I particularly enjoy assisting customers who are new to gardening. These individuals may not know where to start in their own garden, but show interest and willingness to learn.

“I find it rewarding to guide them through the basics, often using photos of their gardens to provide personalised advice. By helping them understand the fundamentals, I empower them to embark on their gardening journey with confidence.

“Choosing the right plant for the right location ensures its success and encourages customers to return. I get satisfaction from seeing customers come back to share their positive experiences, such as a plant flourishing again or children enjoying vegetables grown in their garden. Even when things don’t go as planned, it is valuable to understand what went wrong and offer guidance.”

When Helena started at Monasterevin in 2011, the Garden Centre was in its early stages of its development. Despite being the sole person managing the centre, Helena’s hard work and expertise helped it grow significantly.
Helena now leads a team of two “Over the years, we just got busier and busier and the Garden Centre has expanded.. The Garden Centre has become a bustling retail centre due to the support of the wider team. When you have the right product and the right people in place to give advice, it will deliver success for everyone.

“Although we are National retailer with 15 Garden Centres, our Tirlán CountryLife Garden Centre maintains a very local atmosphere. There’s a personal touch that makes customers feel like they’re meeting friends. Our quality and pricing are excellent, and we offer one of the best loyalty programs with 5% rewards. The unique and welcoming feel here distinguishes us from other chain stores and even some garden centres.”

Helena is married to Shaun, a dairy farmer, and they have two young children, John and Brendan. Balancing work and home life has been challenging, but Helena has found ways to manage her time effectively. She is currently building a house and looks forward to creating her own garden haven.