Interview: Meet Paddy Conway

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paddy Conway.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Paddy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.

I was born in Ireland, raised in Africa, schooled in England and am a world travelled renaissance enthusiast who has literally walked the paths of the Roman army to study their hardscape techniques that I then incorporate into my hardscape and landscaping designs in America.

I was a former college lecturer in England, and have been a successful ILCA contractor for over 30 years, and recently returned to the lecturing circuit as a consultant (sponsored by Unilock). My talks feature my personal life experience seminars that are designed to mentor and benefit thousands of landscape contracting peers across the country.

I have literally walked across England and Scotland studying Roman architecture,

studied the sinking of Venice, the Great Wall of China, tracked the discovery of America from Europe, recently chartered the Atlantic by navigation through the stars to recreate and pay respect to what early settlers must have experienced as they sought a new life in America.

My last venture was studying the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in the Holy Land.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

Not at all a smooth road. I was very well educated. A college lecturer and a former premier rugby player with the world renowned Gloucester Rugby Club in England. Upon my rugby retirement I wanted a life challenging experience that would test my resolve and my ability to survive and excel. I wanted to come to America and see if I could start something from scratch and build upon my allocated spending allowance day by day.

So, I arrived in the country in 1985 with my wife Michaela and 3 children under the age of 5. I had $60 in my pocket and was digging ditches in Downers Grove the day after I landed. I was a land surveyor with extensive hardscaping experience. I saw an opening in America to introduce brick paver systems as a practical alternative to the always cracking Midwest concrete surfaces. My wife Michaela is a brilliant English Gardner. We lived in the prettiest part of England, so we drew on our heritage and created Cotswold Gardens Ltd.

Once started we grew steadily ( family too. 6 brilliant children ) and am blessed to say we have been very successful award winning contractors and recently honored by my peers from the ILCA for our longevity in serving our industry.

We’d love to hear more about your business.

Our company takes pride in visualizing raw empty spaces and turning them into beautiful yet functional rear gardens, with a European flair. Personally I love building outdoor spaces with stone. Michaela then sprinkles her English garden dust and turns my canvas into art.

I think the thing that makes me feel the proudest is that we have the same employees since we started. Adan has been a God send employee and friend. Truly the best craftsman I have ever worked with. Coupled with kind clients who employed us from Day 1 who still invite us back to work around their houses. Now we are working on their children projects.

Apart from Cotswold Gardens installed projects that delight me, I have to say building an Irish Garden for a touring Irish Government Attaché at Navy Pier at the 2015 Flower and Garden Show was very very special. We truly captured Ireland and saw many tears and photographs taken as the public reminisced on their parents and heritage. It was very humbling.

What sets us apart, even from our last job, is our desire to be challenged, deliver and to hear the word “wow”. Music to our ears.

What were you like growing up?

Growing up I was a savage with a huge playground. Africa. Finally sent to a strict Carmelite Catholic school in Dublin, Ireland. Transferred to England and Tarzan was captured at the age of 8! I went from loin cloth to Harry Potter attire within weeks. Truly scholarly uneducated I was embarrassed, bullied, teased, ridiculed and always longed to be outdoors. Rugby (our only school sport) suited my temperament. I excelled and found my outlet for my frustration. I grew to love the school, my classmates and all my priests and teachers. Although extremely strict they loved us and I’m proud to help coach Mt Carmel Rugby in Chicago whenever my schedule allows.

Our upbringing was tough, no nonsense and manners were a must. We were taught to be gentlemen with a special “handshake” should the occasion arise! I am so proud to say my brother Kieran (1 year older) became the head pupil at the school, played for Gloucester Rugby Club too, and returned to our school to be a Master. He then came to America to share his vocals and music skills. Soon to be followed around America and a huge draw in the Chicagoland area. I constantly get asked “are you Kieran Conway’s brother “? Yes Chicago. Kieran Conway is my brother.

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