The Events Committee of the RHSI organise a full and varied programme of events for members and guests. Some events must be pre-booked. Early booking is advisable and bookings are taken on a first come first served basis.
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Lectures take place on Wednesday evenings and during the winter months, on Saturdays afternoons. There is a fantastic range of prominent speakers from gardeners to designers and plant specialists from Ireland and abroad who share a wealth of experience and photographs.
Floral Art demonstrations also take place on Wednesday evenings. We have many well known floral artists from Ireland and occasionally from abroad who come and show us new and innovative ways of creating flower arrangements. Gala demonstrations organised at Christmas are always a sell-out and early booking is advisable.
Day tours are organised during the summer months and are extremely popular. The tours consist of visits to gardens of which many are not usually open to the general public, as well as visits to other well known gardens. Travel is by coach leaving from south Dublin but with the option to meet the coach along the route for country members is required.
Overnight tours in Ireland and abroad are arranged each year. These are also very popular and can be booked up very quickly.
All events are listed on the programme. At times a last minute opportunity for a special garden visit or lecture may arise and these are posted on the website and sent to members by email as soon as they become available.
Venues
Lectures and floral art demonstrations are usually held in Wesley House, Leeson Park, Dublin 4. Some lectures and seminars are held in the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. Full details are listed under each event.
Non members are very welcome to join our events many of which must be pre-booked. Occasionally events will be restricted to members only.
For further information please contact Deborah Bailey at events@rhsi.ie
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If you prefer, you can view these events in a calendar format.
BOOK AVAILABLE EVENTS (NON MEMBERS)
RHSI Members: Please log into Members Area to book.
Saturday 13th September 2025 | RHSI Bellefield, Co. Offaly
Join us for a late summer celebration of Ireland’s natural heritage with a full day of talks, tours and demonstrations in the serene surroundings of RHSI Bellefield.
This unique event, hosted in partnership with the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS), brings together three of Ireland’s leading voices in horticulture and garden history for an inspiring look at meadows and the power of trees to shape our landscapes.
Programme Highlights
10:00 – Arrival, tea & coffee
10:15 – Garden Tour with RHSI Bellefield’s Head Gardener Paul Smyth
11:00 – John Beattie (NBHS) – Introduction to the work of NBHS on Historic Gardens & Designed Landscapes
11:30 – Neil Porteous – “Trees in Irish Demesnes”
12:45 – Lunch (included)
1:30 – Seamus O’Brien – “Kilmacurragh Meadows – Revival and Restoration”
2:30–3:30 – Paul Smyth – Practical Demonstration: Managing Meadows at Bellefield
Meet the Speakers
Seamus O’Brien
Head Gardener at the National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh
A renowned plant hunter, author, and award-winning horticulturist, Seamus brings a global perspective to Irish gardening. His lecture will explore the 300-year-old meadow restoration at Kilmacurragh and how ancient hay meadows are being revived with native wildflowers and crocus lawns.
Neil Porteous
Garden historian and consultant
With over 40 years of experience, Neil is known for his work with the National Trust, the OPW, and his deep passion for trees and historical landscapes. His talk will examine the trees of Irish demesnes and the factors influencing their survival today.
Paul Smyth
Head Gardener at RHSI Bellefield
A skilled plantsman, author, and broadcaster, Paul has led the transformation of Bellefield from a private garden into a public centre for horticultural learning. He will guide guests through both the garden and a live meadow management demonstration.
Booking Information
This is a ticketed event with limited places.
Cost: €60 | Includes lunch, tea/coffee, and access to all talks and demonstrations.
Location: RHSI Bellefield, Shinrone, Co. Offaly
Time: 10:00am – 3:30pm
Supported by: The National Built Heritage Service
RHSI,
Laurelmere Cottage,
Marlay Park,
Grange Road,
Rathfarnham,
Dubin 16,
D16 H9T4,
Ireland.
Tel: +353 1 493 7154
Email: info@rhsi.ie
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