The RHSI are delighted to announce that, following Angela Jupe’s extraordinarily generous bequest of Bellefield House and Gardens to the Society, our good fortune continues with Paul Smyth agreeing to be Head Gardener at RHSI Bellefield. Very exciting times for the RHSI. See Paul’s message below.

" I'm delighted, honoured and very excited to announce that I am taking on the role of head gardener at Bellefield House and Gardens in Co Offaly. To be known as RHSI Bellefield

I was extremely lucky to have been mentored by Bellefield's last owner Angela Jupe who bequeathed the house and gardens to the RHSI to become their training garden.

Angela was a visionary thinker, garden designer, plantswoman, architect, and collector to name but a few of her varied skills and interests. She was an important figure in my career and someone I always turned to.

I have been involved since Angela's death in the upkeep of the site along with a few other key people who have worked tirelessly to maintain the house and gardens.

We will have various open days next year, starting with some in February for Snowdrop season. Bellefield has one of the finest collections in Ireland of both named and naturalised snowdrops. Keep an eye on our brand new Instagram page @rhsibellefield for updates.

To Angela I say thank you. We hope to honour your generosity and to inspire new generations of gardeners. Bellefield with its 2 acres of walled garden, parkland, pasture, meadows, woodlands and bog is a remarkable site, with lots of potential. It is an honour to be able to be trusted with the task of being the new custodian of this remarkable place.

I look forward to welcoming some of you there in the year ahead!" Paul Smyth RHSI Bellefield

The gardens at Bellefield are currently closed but see details on our events page for our February 2023 Snowdrop Open Weekends

Click here for more information