Solas Eco Garden Centre

Garden Centre Ireland

Opening Hours: Monday - Sunday (9:30am - 6pm)

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Solas Eco Garden Centre in Laois

Come spend a day in our new eco garden centre in the heart of Ireland built almost entirely from shipping containers. We opened our doors May 2021 on a 5 Acre site on the edge of Portarlington Town and we are now delighted to offer gardeners around Laois, the Midlands & all of Ireland an exciting new garden retail experience. Immerse yourself in eco & sustainable gardening principles with our 20,000 sq ft eco store, relax is our spacious food court & take a stroll through our extensive plants areas & under our 32m Rovero Greenhouse
We have lots of attractions and things to do for all visitors, garden lovers & day trippers!

Enjoy Barista coffee, fresh food & stone baked pizzas & much more from our food court
Indulge in our large selection of crepes, ice creams and other tasty treats
Our outdoor food court is now covered & heated
Check out our 40ft light house tower built from shipping containers
See our “Living Wall” & edible walls
Our garden centre is full of creative and innovative art pieces & designs
Take in our 40ft tourist map
Take a walk through our large eco shop with over 5,500 items
Shop our range of wonderful garden plants
Sample local produce & talent in our weekly farmers market
Visit of local crafts market, first Sunday of every month

Garden Centre Ireland

Garden Centre Events & Education

Throughout the year we are running weekely training courses, classes & events

Sustainable planting and gardening
Chemical free gardening
Gardening tips for all year gardening
Using bio waste for a healthy garden
Arts & crafts
Cookery courses
Bee keeping
Wildflowers & Meadows
Carbon storage
Living Walls

Here at TheGardenShop.ie we are busy preparing to build Ireland's first Eco Garden Centre which will combine great design, sustainable principles and education to promote a de-carbonised lifestyle and economy.

Designed by Architect Julius Taminiau Architects B.V. in Amsterdam, this concept Eco Garden Centre combines the past industrial use of the 5 acre site with a new green economy in a very creative plan.

Garden Centre Approach - Some Key Aspects

The Build: Sustainable low carbon / low impact approach using old shipping containers for much of the build. incorporation of green roofs, energy efficient designs, permeable car parks and 'off the grid' water supply for all non-potable water.
The Food: Strong focus on green local food including a street food cafe and market village containing up to 40 farmer's food and artisan stalls to display the best of local produce and offer a showcase to new producers and products.
Education: Ranging from carbon footprint, how to grow your own vegetables, composting, sustainable energy, wild flowers etc...
The Shop: The retail shop and warehouse will comprise of over 40,000 sq. ft. of space and will include value & range with local crafts and antiques.
Eco Values: By June 2022 our entire garden centre will be powered by solar panels. As of February 2022 20% of our power usage is supplied via solar. We have 3 bee hives currently home to 10,000 Irish black bees. By the end of summer 2022 we expect this number to grow to 90,000 bees. We have installed 3 electric car charging points. Our food and packaging waste is composted and recycled into plant fertilisers here on site. The furniture, decking, shelving & signage throughout our garden centre is made from recycled materials. Our carpark parking spaces uses inovative grass grids allowing for a greener landscape & surface water drainage.

Progress So Far

June 2021 – SOLAS Eco Garden Shop & Food Village