Gardening

A gardener’s gift: Bellefield House to be developed and opened to public

The house and gardens’ late owner Angela Jupe left the property in Co Offaly to the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland with the stipulation that it become a hub for gardening education

Paul Smyth, who has been appointed head gardener at Bellefield House and gardens in Co Offaly. Picture: Jeff Harvey

Bellefield House and gardens, the Co Offaly home of the late Angela Jupe, is to have a new lease of life as a centre for horticultural training. Overseen by the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI) with Paul Smyth as head gardener, the plan is to develop the gardens and open them regularly to the public.

When Smyth first visited Bellefield House and garden for his college work placement, little did he think he would ...