An Evening with Jimi Blake
Wednesday, Apr 8th, 2026
7:30pm | Online via Zoom
Free for RHSI Members | Guests €8.00
An Evening with Anne Repnow
Wednesday, Mar 25th, 2026
7:30pm | Online via Zoom
Free for RHSI Members | Guests €8.00
Join us for a beautifully balanced spring day visiting two exceptional gardens, with time to relax, explore and enjoy good company.
Itinerary
8.30am – Depart Foxrock Church
Morning Coffee – Pillo Hotel, Ashbourne
Ashfield House
Morning visit to Ashfield House Gardens (Private) courtesy of the Bailey family. A traditional Irish house and estate with stables, extensive gardens and a fully functioning walled kitchen garden. The planting respects the original layout, embracing mature trees and shrubs, while references to Irish history and mythology give the garden a distinctive and atmospheric character.
The garden’s remodelling was carried out over several years by two highly respected horticulturists:
Mike Snowden, formerly Head Gardener at Rowallane Garden, who led the transformation of the walled garden
Angela Jupe, who redesigned other areas of the extensive grounds
Lunch at Ardgillan
Lunch at your leisure (at own expense).
Ardgillan Castle Gardens
Ardgillan Castle sits within a stunning 194-acre demesne managed by Fingal County Council. Woodland walks, restored avenues and sweeping coastal views make this a very special place.
We will enjoy a guided tour of the Spring Gardens with Dominica McKevitt, Head Gardener, who will share seasonal highlights and insights into the garden’s development.
Depart Ardgillan 4.00–4.30pm
Cost
€85 per person
Includes transport, coffee, garden entry and gratuities
€65 per person – Self Drivers
Includes coffee, garden entry and gratuities
A relaxed, friendly day with beautiful gardens and expert insight. Booking is essential.
The very first plant fair of the season, and trust us, you do not want to miss this. RHSI Bellefield which is taking place on Sunday, March 22nd, where some of the best growers and nurseries will have very, VERY special plants just waiting for you!
This is the moment gardeners have been waiting for all winter. Fresh stock, rare finds, unusual treasures and those plants you didn’t even know you needed… until you see them. The air will be full of that unmistakable spring feeling — new growth, new ideas and the quiet thrill of discovering something truly special to take home.
With an exceptional line-up of specialist growers, this is your chance to chat, learn, browse and take your time choosing plants that you simply won’t find everywhere else. It’s relaxed, it’s inspiring and it’s set in one of the most beautiful gardens in the country — the perfect way to welcome the season properly.
Bring your tote bags. Bring a friend. Bring your plant wish list (and maybe leave a little extra room for impulse buys).
This is not just a plant fair… it’s the start of the gardening year.
Something very special is happening… we are BACK with live, in-person talks at the National Botanic Gardens, and it feels so good to be gathering together again.
To celebrate, why not make a full day of it?
The Irish Garden Plant Society begins the morning with “Raw Gardening: Working with Nature in Your Garden” with Vick Ind at 11.30am. A wonderful way to start the day with fresh ideas and practical inspiration.
Afterwards, take your time. Wander through the gardens, enjoy a relaxed lunch, soak up the atmosphere… and then join us in the afternoon for our long-awaited RHSI live talk with Oliver Schurmann of Mount Venus Nursery at 2.30pm.
It has been many years since we have hosted an in-person talk here, and we could not have chosen a better moment or a better speaker to mark our return.
Two inspiring talks. One beautiful setting. A full day immersed in plants, people and ideas.
Come for the morning, stay for the afternoon… and celebrate being together again.
RHSI Major Annual Plant Sale 2026
Date: Saturday, 18 April
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Royal St. George Yacht Club Carlisle Pier, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Co. Dublin, A96 AY77
Join Us for Our Annual Plant Sale!
We’re calling on all our members for their help and contributions. This year, we are especially looking for some of your favourite plants including houseplants, extra vegetables, and annual seedlings, to make the day a vibrant success.
If you have any plug plants, 9 cm pots, or 1.5 litre potted plants, we’d love to include them in the sale. Now is the time to get going. Plants can be dropped to a site yet to be confirmed nearer the date.
We’re also looking for enthusiastic volunteers to lend a hand setting up the event, helping on the day and spreading the word.
You can message Annmarie 087 2256365.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newcomer, this is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, share your love of plants, and connect with fellow club members.There is a Yacht Club Bistro serving light lunch and refreshments.
Together, we can make this year’s Plant Sale a blooming success!
Please add Saturday, 18 April RHSI plant sale to your diary
Celebrating Women in Irish Gardens
International Women’s Day at Bellefield
Join us at RHSI Bellefield for a thoughtful and inspiring day exploring the remarkable contribution of women to Ireland’s gardens, landscapes and horticultural heritage.
In collaboration with the National Built Heritage Service, this special International Women’s Day event brings together leading voices in garden history, design and heritage to share stories of creativity, influence and lasting legacy. Through expert talks, conversation and a guided exploration of Bellefield itself, we will reflect on the women who shaped our gardens and continue to shape how we understand and care for them today.
This is a day to pause, learn and connect. To listen to the stories behind historic landscapes. To discover the ideas and individuals that influenced garden design. And to experience the beauty of Bellefield in early spring, in the company of others who share a passion for gardens and heritage.
What to expect
Why attend
Whether you are a gardener, historian, heritage enthusiast or simply curious about the stories behind Ireland’s landscapes, this event offers a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of people, place and design. It is a celebration of knowledge, legacy and lived experience and a chance to mark International Women’s Day in a meaningful and memorable way.
Event details
Date: Saturday 7 March 2026
Time: 10.00am – 3.30pm
Location: RHSI Bellefield, Shinrone, Co Offaly
Tickets: €85 per person (includes lunch)
Tickets can be purchased below.
We recommend booking early – this is a small, carefully curated event and places are limited. Demand is expected to be high and this one is likely to book out quickly.
Travelling by luxury coach and ferry from Rosslare, the tour will be based for three nights at the lovely Lamphey Court Hotel (4-star) on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Garden visits include:
The National Botanic Garden of Wales (25th anniversary year)
Aberglasney and Picton Castle
Private gardens at Cae Hir and Llanllyr
The outstanding Dyffryn Fernant, where we will conclude the tour
Tour details:
3 nights, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
€1,099 per person sharing
Single supplement: €200
Deposit on booking: €350 per person
Maximum group size: 30 people
Booking information – please read carefully
An Evening with Claire Tatler
Wednesday, Mar 11th, 2026
7:30pm | Online via Zoom
Free for RHSI Members | Guests €8.00
Claire Tatler is Garden Manager at RHS Harlow Carr, a role she took up in December. Previously Head Gardener at the renowned Wollerton Old Hall Garden in Shropshire, Claire is widely respected for her skilful planting and sensitive stewardship of one of Britain’s most admired private gardens.
In this talk, she will reflect on her time at Wollerton, sharing insights into its design, seasonal highlights and the craft of maintaining a garden of such richness and structure.
An Evening with Kitty Scully
Wednesday, Feb 25th, 2026
7:30pm | Online via Zoom
Free for RHSI Members | Guests €8.00
We’re delighted to welcome Kitty Scully for our Zoom talk, “The Year-Round Organic Garden,” on 25 February.
An organic gardener, grower and passionate advocate for local food, Kitty’s love of growing began on her family’s mixed organic farm in County Laois. Since then, she has built a rich and varied career in horticulture — from managing market gardens and developing productive kitchen gardens at Airfield Estate, to writing, broadcasting and teaching.
Many will recognise her from RTÉ’s Home Grown or her writing for The Irish Garden magazine. She also coordinates the Organic Growers of Ireland Network and works as Head Grower on a private estate in Laois.
Warm, knowledgeable and endlessly enthusiastic about all things soil and seasonal, Kitty is always a joy to listen to.
An Evening with John Little
Wednesday, Feb 11th, 2026
7:30pm | Online via Zoom
Free for RHSI Members | Guests €8.00
John Little is a self-taught ecological designer whose work challenges conventional ideas about biodiversity and landscape design. He is particularly known for his research-led approach to post-industrial and brownfield landscapes, arguing that structure – not just planting – is key to creating resilient, wildlife-rich environments.
John is the founder of the Grass Roof Company and lives and works at Hilldrop Garden, an internationally recognised site celebrated for its inventive, habitat-led design. His work has been highly influential in the field, with leading planting designer Nigel Dunnett describing Hilldrop as a landscape that is actively guided rather than simply rewilded.
A compelling and engaging speaker, John has presented this work widely across Europe, offering practical and imaginative insights into how post-industrial landscapes can become vibrant new greenspaces for wildlife and people alike.
RHSI Bellefield Snowdrop Weekend
February 6 @ 11:00 am – February 9 @ 4:00 pm
Join Us for Snowdrop Weekend at Bellefield!
As winter’s chill begins to fade, a fresh promise of spring fills the air – and with it, the arrival of one of nature’s most delightful messengers: the snowdrop.
We’re so excited to welcome you to Snowdrop Weekend at Bellefield, running from February 6th to 8th, where the beauty of these cheerful blooms transforms our garden into an enchanting winter wonderland.
Plan your visit:
Dates: February 6th–8th
Hours: Open daily from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Admission: Free for RHSI members, €8.00 for guests
Booking – Guests can pay at the gate or purchase tickets here
Whether you’re a garden enthusiast, nature lover, or simply seeking a moment of seasonal inspiration, Snowdrop Weekend is a heartwarming escape into the magic of early spring.
Bring your friends and family, and let’s celebrate the beauty of these brave little blooms together. We can’t wait to see you there!
RHSI,
Laurelmere Cottage,
Marlay Park,
Grange Road,
Rathfarnham,
Dubin 16,
D16 H9T4,
Ireland.
Tel: +353 83 8250647
Email: info@rhsi.ie
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