60 NEW JOBS AS IRISH COMPANY EXPANDS INTO CORK

21 June 2011

Family run business, Ballyseedy Home and Garden, Tralee, Co Kerry has just announced the opening of a second centre at Fota Retail Park, Cork, which will mean the creation of 60 new jobs for the area. In addition to the award winning 5 star garden centre, the state of the art venue will house a restaurant and other big brand concessions, to be announced very soon. 

Partnering with local businessmen Ed and Joe Carey, and Dan Mulvihill, who have developed the site at Fota Retail Park to house the new centre, the mother and son team of Bernie Falvey and Nathan McDonnell are set to open their second branch of Ballyseedy Home and Garden, joining some existing businesses at the centre.  

The announcement means big news for Cork and greater Munster as 60 jobs are to be created directly, with even more jobs expected from ancillary suppliers to the centre.Speaking at the official announcement, Nathan McDonnell said, "Against the backdrop of this economic climate, we are thrilled to be announcing this development, with the creation of so many new jobs. We are excited about our new venture and are striving to drive Ballyseedy forward in Cork, hopefully boosting business in the surrounding areas. We have a 5 star garden centre in Ballyseedy in Tralee, and hope to develop this even further in Cork with a top class offering for all the family to enjoy."  

Bernie Falvey, mother and business partner of Nathan added "We are really excited to be opening the biggest centre of its type in Munster and we would like to credit businessmen Joe and Ed Carey and Dan Mulvihill, for making this possible. The new Ballyseedy centre required a big leap of faith from the developers who have invested significantly in the development in order to make the facility possible" 

The 30,000 sq ft centre at Ballyseedy will play host to a restaurant, run by the catering group behind famed restaurant Jacobs on the Mall. Ballyseedy Home and Garden in Tralee has also recently been awarded Five Stars by Bord Bia under the Garden Centre category, the only one in Munster. Other outlets and concessions will be added to the development later in the year. 

Bernie Falvey started the original Ballyseedy garden centre 20 years ago just outside Tralee, and has overseen the expansion since then. Nathan, a qualified horticulturist, joined the team to assist with the huge development, which has been successful since its inception in December 2007. 

Ballyseedy Home and Garden at Fota Retail Park opens this weekend. Visit www.ballyseedy.ie for further details.