WATCH: Galway business owners say emotional goodbye closing after 40 years

John and Martina Keon, the owners of Woodford Nurseries and Garden Centre said it was one of the hardest decisions they have ever had to make as they thanked customers, staff and the local community for decades of support.

On their final day in business, we visited Woodford Nurseries and Garden Centre to speak with owners John and Martina Keon.

We sat down with the couple for a video interview to hear about the history of the business, how it grew over the past 40 years and the health reasons that led to the difficult decision to close.

We also spoke with long serving staff members Fabiani Moreira and Catherine Hanley about their experiences working at the garden centre.

Originally from Brazil, Fabiani joined the business at just 16 years old with little English and has remained a vital part of the team for the past 20 years.

Catherine first came to the business on a Transition Year work placement in 2021 and is now in her sixth year in Woodford Nurseries and Garden Centre.

Both reflected on the camaraderie and the fond memories they will take with them and what it has meant to be part of the Woodford Garden Centre family.

Speaking to Galway Live, on the garden centre's final day in business, John Keon reflected on how Woodford Garden Centre grew from humble beginnings into a destination that attracted customers from across the region.

John's journey began in 1984 when he started working as a machine driver at Mike Lycett's Nursery. Although he had little knowledge of plants at the time, he quickly developed an interest in the industry.

Within months, he was selling plants at local markets before taking on a role travelling across multiple counties selling wholesale to garden centres.

After gaining experience and building relationships with customers, John and Martina began selling plants from their home in 1986.

"We started buying in some stock and selling it from the house here. We built on it and added on as we went along. I had built up a customer base from the markets and sure, the rest is history."

Over the following four decades, the business expanded steadily, attracting customers from Galway, Clare, Limerick, Tipperary and Offaly.

"As we got bigger and better, people came from all over. We had people travelling from Clare, Limerick, Nenagh, Birr, Oranmore, Loughrea, Portumna, Athenry and many of the surrounding villages."

John said the decision to close was driven by ongoing health issues after doctors advised him to step away from the demands of running the business.

"Due to illnesses I was told and advised to pull back completely. When I got sick the last time in February, I was warned not to take on any more pressure or work. We decided then that we would finish out the season at the end of July."

He paid tribute to the staff who helped make the business a success, giving special thanks to Fabiani Moreira and Catherine Hanley.

"We have to thank all the staff through the years. We had the best of them. Fabiani has been with us for 20 years and Catherine is going on her sixth year. They have been the rock of this place."

John also thanked the suppliers who supported the business throughout its 40-year history, saying many had become trusted partners and friends.

"Our suppliers have been very good to us over the years. They trusted us, gave us credit and looked after us. Overall they have been very good to us."

Since announcing the closure, John said the support from customers and the local community has been overwhelming.

"The response has been unbelievable. Woodford has stood by us through thick and thin. This wasn't just a garden centre. It was a meeting place and a day out for people."

Despite closing the doors, John hopes the site will have a future once again.

"I want to thank each and every person who has supported us. There is a future in everything, no matter what you are doing in life. I would love to see this place open again. That's our dream."