If you’ve just read through all of this, well done!  Take some time to digest it and maybe read through it again – there’s a lot to take in.

Enrolment for DL course starting October 2024 is open from 2nd July

We’re delighted to announce that enrolment for the 24/25 course will open on Tuesday the 2nd of July at 11am. The course will start in October with an induction day on Saturday the 19th of October.  This year the induction will be done through a Zoom conference call. 

The course is part-time and takes two years to complete all nine modules.  When you sign up this year you will be signing up for year 1 of the course and will complete the first four modules – Soil Science, Fruit & Vegetable Production, Plant ID and Organic Principles & Standards .  For more details on the modules please click on the following link:

3. The Modules

Please note that the Permaculture and Beekeeping modules are not offered through distance learning.  If you are interested in either of these modules you will need to consider attending the full-time day course at the college.

Also it is important to understand that in order to gain a QQI level 5 full certificate in Horticulture all nine modules need to be completed.  This takes two years through Distance Learning.  If you decide to only do Year 1 of the course you will receive component awards for each of the modules completed. 

We’ve updated the website with all the information you need to know and please read through the following links before signing up so that you have an understanding of what this course entails and how it is delivered:

Paula Pender is the main teacher on the course, and she will be coordinating enrolment so please email Paula ([email protected]) if you have any questions before signing up.

How do I enrol and pay?

There has been a huge level of interest in the course over the past few years and as places on the course are limited we encourage you to sign up as soon as you can to secure a place.  Places are on a first come first serve basis and fees must be paid up front.  

The course fees for Year 1 of the course are €1150. Thanks to the generous support of the National Organic Training Skillnet (NOTS) you are eligible for a 30% discount where the fees for Year 1 will be €800. 

You will need to contact NOTS to sign up and pay for this course.  You can do this through the NOTS website on the 2nd of July using the following link:  https://nots.ie/events/certificate-in-organic-horticulture-2024-year-1/

Please note that this link will go live on Tuesday the 2nd of July at 11am.  You will not be able to register before this time.

When NOTS have received payment you are enrolled on the course and we’ll contact you again towards the end of  September with more details and dates. 

If you are unemployed and in receipt of benefits you may be able to get an alternative grant from the Department for Social Protection. You cannot get both a NOTS grant and Social Protection grant. If you are not able to get funding from NOTS and would like to explore applying for a grant from Social Protection, please contact your local Intreo office.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions.  We’re looking forward to another great year of learning to grow delicious organic food and hope that you are able to joins us. In the meantime enjoy the summer sunshine!