Kildalton level 5 horticulture

Kirtatty

I’ve just accepted a place in kildalton for the one year level 5 horticulture course.
Has anyone recommendations on where to stay for accommodation (I’m enrolling as a mature student in my 30’s), so not all that keen on being treated like a child in college digs but would be keen to remain without my own car to keep costs down.
Also does anyone from past years have an old timetable to give an idea of how the week is laid out? (I’m sure this will change from year to year but may give me an idea)
Cheers for any feedback.

Siamsa Sessions

I'm doing the distance education green cert in Kildalton at the moment but live 25 mins away so drive in and out.

Piltown is a small town (big village) about half-a-mile from Kildalton so might be worth looking for accommodation there. Probably not too much available there though but might be worth looking at the same time.

After that Carrick-on-Suir is the nearest average-sized town and you might be able to get a bus from there to Piltown. Google it and look at Google maps to get a sense of the distances and other towns/villages nearby.

lakill Farm

Kirtatty wrote: »

I’ve just accepted a place in kildalton for the one year level 5 horticulture course.
Has anyone recommendations on where to stay for accommodation (I’m enrolling as a mature student in my 30’s), so not all that keen on being treated like a child in college digs but would be keen to remain without my own car to keep costs down.
Also does anyone from past years have an old timetable to give an idea of how the week is laid out? (I’m sure this will change from year to year but may give me an idea)
Cheers for any feedback.

Have a cousin that's just finished a 2 year course in horticulture there through WIT ? Im giving him grinds for a repeat exam so ill ask him on Monday where he stayed or ideas where to stay

Sanook

I'm strongly considering doing this course as well. A few further education centres offer the Level 5 Horticulture too but I visited the Kildalton College and it's state of the art.

I'm worried though because I'm in my 30s too and looking for a career change. I would enjoy working outdoors but I don't really have a passion or experience in gardening and plants, however I'm really keen on the Landscaping side of it, patios, decking, garden design, etc, I am good with my hands.

Do you think the course would be suitable for me or is it more for someone looking to work in a garden centre?

In regards to accommodation, where are you currently residing? If it's Waterford, I seen online the Waterford WIT Horticulture Level 7 has a free bus transport for students going from WIT every morning to Kildalton college.

Kirtatty

Well I certainly don’t have a huge amount of experience in gardening and I’m not sure what direction I plan to go with the course but I’m hoping it will give me a foundation to work from and a little direction.

The course content is very practical which also appeals to me. It is very obviously very plant based though so if you have no interest in that area I wouldn’t envision it would be a suitable choice. I don’t think prior knowledge will be necessary though, just an advantage.

I’m not from that part of the country at all, never even visited. I’m just worried that I’ll be isolated living out at the college and I imagine that I’ll be the only person over 20 (let alone 30) living there which is why I thought commuting from the city may be a better option. I’ve been in contact with the college now and have the list of recommendationed accommodation so I’m currently mulling it over and will visit the area very soon.

lakill Farm

Cousin is 25 and he is 3rd youngest on the course of 18people. 2 younger were straight from leaving cert

Kirtatty wrote: »

Well I certainly don’t have a huge amount of experience in gardening and I’m not sure what direction I plan to go with the course but I’m hoping it will give me a foundation to work from and a little direction.

The course content is very practical which also appeals to me. It is very obviously very plant based though so if you have no interest in that area I wouldn’t envision it would be a suitable choice. I don’t think prior knowledge will be necessary though, just an advantage.

I’m not from that part of the country at all, never even visited. I’m just worried that I’ll be isolated living out at the college and I imagine that I’ll be the only person over 20 (let alone 30) living there which is why I thought commuting from the city may be a better option. I’ve been in contact with the college now and have the list of recommendationed accommodation so I’m currently mulling it over and will visit the area very soon.

Muckit

Kirtatty wrote: »

Has anyone recommendations on where to stay for accommodation .....l would be keen to remain without my own car to keep costs down.

If all comes to all you could always remain within your own car to keep costs down!

lakill Farm

Contact details for accomadation sent by PM

Kirtatty wrote: »

I’ve just accepted a place in kildalton for the one year level 5 horticulture course.
Has anyone recommendations on where to stay for accommodation (I’m enrolling as a mature student in my 30’s), so not all that keen on being treated like a child in college digs but would be keen to remain without my own car to keep costs down.
Also does anyone from past years have an old timetable to give an idea of how the week is laid out? (I’m sure this will change from year to year but may give me an idea)
Cheers for any feedback.

Sanook

Kirtatty wrote: »

Well I certainly don’t have a huge amount of experience in gardening and I’m not sure what direction I plan to go with the course but I’m hoping it will give me a foundation to work from and a little direction.

The course content is very practical which also appeals to me. It is very obviously very plant based though so if you have no interest in that area I wouldn’t envision it would be a suitable choice. I don’t think prior knowledge will be necessary though, just an advantage.

I’m not from that part of the country at all, never even visited. I’m just worried that I’ll be isolated living out at the college and I imagine that I’ll be the only person over 20 (let alone 30) living there which is why I thought commuting from the city may be a better option. I’ve been in contact with the college now and have the list of recommendationed accommodation so I’m currently mulling it over and will visit the area very soon.

Thanks for replying, I was expecting an email notification hence the late reply. It would certainly be a lot cheaper to stay at the college and I reckon you'll be more likely to be living with 20 year olds if your in the city. Sessions/house parties ect could be a nuisance too.
I enquired about commuting from Waterford city, it will cost about €40 per week with Bus Eireann and there will be a 15min walk from Piltown bus stop to Kildalton College.
Staying at the college could be isolating but so could living in the city if don't know anyone. Staying at the college could be great craic, it's hard to know really.
I know the course is very obviously plant based but it seems to be the only course to get started in landscaping which is what I'm after.
I'm sure the plants will be interesting once
I start learning about them it's just not something I've ever had a passion for before, so I don't know?