More than €2.1m has been invested in Teagasc’s horticulture facilities including a modern glasshouse, a turf grass academy, a horticultural utility building, a large multi-span forestry polytunnel and additional polytunnels and structures.

The other primary piece of infrastructure on the site is the mushroom research unit which has 100 square metres of growing area to support a dedicated mushroom research programme.

The investment followed a decision taken to close the Teagasc Kinsealy campus and horticulture, forestry and education activities moved to the Ashtown campus. The investment was funded through the disposal of Teagasc assets and Teagasc funding from the Government.

Land-use sectors

“Horticulture and forestry are becoming increasingly more important land-use sectors in Ireland,” Teagasc chair Dr Noel Cawley said.

“The Ashtown campus, through this and previous investments, is now well equipped to provide the standard of research, education and training required by technologically advanced sectors.”

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