Festival of Gardens and Nature

I’ve got mine—have you got yours? If not, now’s the time to book.

Ballintubbert House and Gardens will host a two-day celebration of gardens, nature, and sustainability on May 3rd–4th, 2025. With a stellar lineup of speakers, workshops, guided tours, and hands-on experiences, this festival promises to be an inspiring weekend for gardeners, nature lovers, and anyone passionate about the natural world.

Unmissable Speakers for RHSI Members

This year’s speaker list is outstanding, but for RHSI members, two names stand out:

Tom Stuart-Smith, the internationally renowned landscape architect, will share insights into his approach to contemporary garden design, blending naturalistic planting with bold structure.

Fergus Garrett, the legendary head gardener at Great Dixter, will bring his deep knowledge of biodiversity, layering, and succession planting—essential for anyone looking to create a dynamic and ecologically rich garden.

Alongside them, other fascinating speakers include Kitty Scully, Jamie Walton, and Rory O’Connell on organic gardening and sustainable food. For those intrigued by the secret life of fungi, Merlin Sheldrake and Giuliana Furci will open up a whole new world beneath our feet. Diarmuid Gavin will offer his take on a career in garden design, and Sean Ronayne will lead a magical Dawn Chorus Walk on International Dawn Chorus Day.  See the schedule for a full listing.

A Weekend of Talks, Tours, and Hands-On Experiences

Beyond the inspiring talks, there’s plenty to see and do.
Foraging workshops to discover wild edibles
Live art demonstrations capturing nature in real time
Basket weaving workshops to craft your own willow plant support
Plant and garden stalls featuring books, tools, and beautiful plants
Artisanal food and coffee to enjoy throughout the weekend
And to close Saturday in style, Johnny Flynn will perform an intimate set in the gardens.

Secure Your Spot Now

With such an exciting mix of renowned speakers, practical workshops, and inspiring tours, this promises to be a fantastic weekend for RHSI members and anyone with a passion for plants, gardens, and nature.

Tickets are available now:

Saturday: €110

Sunday: €70

Full Weekend: €165

Venue: Ballintubbert House & Gardens, Co. Laois
Dates: May 3rd–4th, 2025

Don’t leave it too late—book your ticket now and be part of the festival.

👉 Book Your Ticket Here