On January 3rd 2001 I borrowed the tools for my first job and began creating my first garden under the name of Peter Donegan Landscaping Ltd.

I had just returned from Scotland and had rented the front room of the house from were I slept and worked. I was still, by 2 or 3 months, 24 years of age. Not the prettiest start, maybe, but I had to start somewhere….

A friend designed a logo and made me one t-shirt and one fleece jacket. Some headed paper and business cards were made. At the time I borrowed a friends fax line number so ‘I looked more professional’. I also used my folks home address. I bought a second hand computer [that couldn't work the internet] and printer for IR£80 and I was, put in extremely simple terms, in business.

I don’t have many images from that or the early years. Digital cameras weren’t out then. I did find this promo flyer that was done in that year and this image from January 2004 is the earliest I know of not on a photo negative.

I was trying to think of some firsts/ milestones for this post… 10 years is a long time. These are the few that immediately come to mind….

• My first garden was created for Mary Stephenson in Howth Co. Dublin. Mary recently helped me organise The garden Groups trip to Irelands Eye.
• The first award I was nominated for was the best new business award in 2001 by The Fingal Chamber of Commerce.
• The first article printed about Peter Donegan Landscaping Ltd was in March 2004 in the Irish Entrepreneur Magazine entitled ‘Getting Dirty’. It hangs in my bathroom to this day.
• October 23rd 2004 my first article for The Farmers Journal was published were I continued to write regularly for about 4 years.

But then there’s also some nice reading that tells the story well on the home and about pages.

These words that I have used for many years probably summise what I want to say quite well. Here’s to another 10 years. Thank you.

Whilst I flicked through my diary and realised just how much I actually had done… it should be noted that none of this would make any sense without someone to share the stories, the laughter and equally the tears with. I am forever greatful to the so many great friends and people I have met along this years road. From my heart, thank you.

Did I enjoy it? Every second. Don’t get me wrong… no road is an easy an easy one especially when I work in an industry that is so weather dependant and I am self employed. That is not a complaint…. more an additional reason to appreciate the people who stand tall by my side when times are a little tougher. You were there too when we laugh our socks off.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Thank you again, everyone, for everything.

Peter

As always you can contact me in the following ways

• via electrionic mail – info@DoneganLandscaping.com
• twitter.com/DoneganGardens
• via the contact page on DoneganLandscaping.com
• always good to chat via telephone 0876594688

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