When Rachel Doyle went to college in Ireland in the 1970s to study commercial horticulture, it was not a common path for a woman from a rural background. But Rachel never followed the conventional route. Her father’s love of gardening encouraged her to pursue a career that she was passionate about, and she found her purpose.

Soon after, Rachel achieved her dream of opening her own garden center. She already had the name Arboretum, a nod to botanical tree collections and a fitting title for what would become one of Ireland’s most beloved garden centers.

She launched Arboretum on a modest half-acre plot beside her home in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. Working full-time as a teacher, she opened the center in the afternoons and on weekends, with help from her husband, Frank. In the early years, she encountered some skepticism. Customers would sometimes come in and ask to speak to the owner “himself,”. “Himself would be no good to you,” she would respond. “I am the horticulturist.”

In 1982, she moved the business to a rented yard in Carlow. A few years later, she and Frank decided to buy their own site. At the time, banks often overlooked women, but Frank believed in her and helped her by taking out a loan with her. Rachel’s persistence paid off. Rachel introduced something new that would become a defining feature of Arboretum. She made sure the garden center was big enough to also have a café. At the time, this was unheard of in Ireland. That decision eventually shaped Arboretum’s reputation as more than a retail destination. 

The business continued to grow. Later on, Arboretum returned to Leighlinbridge on a 10-acre site near the original plot of land. Following this success, Rachel acquired the former National Garden Exhibition Center in County Wicklow in 2015. She opened Arboretum Urban Green on Parnell Street in Dublin in 2022, which was designed to serve a new generation of city gardeners.

Security became a major concern as the business expanded, especially with the high-value inventory and cash on site. Rachel turned to Netwatch for help. At the time, Netwatch was an early-stage company, focused on transforming how security is delivered. Partnering with Arboretum proved how proactive video monitoring could protect a growing business while supporting its welcoming, customer-focused environment. She was among their first customers and remains one of their strongest advocates. During the opening of their control center, she remarked that she would give up her dishwasher and kitchen table before giving up Netwatch.

Arboretum has always been a family business. Frank joined full-time before retiring in 2013, and their sons, Fergal and Barry, have taken over to lead the company. Rachel still serves as the Executive Chair. Under their guidance, Arboretum has deepened its commitment to sustainability across all locations.

From a backyard in Carlow to a national enterprise, Arboretum remains rooted in the values she planted from the beginning — family, community, and a deep love of the land. Rachel hopes to bring the joy of gardening to future generations.