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heritage · Saturday 15 August 2026 · See website for times 
Bellefield House and Gardens Guided Tour
At Bellefield House and Gardens · Shinrone, Co. Offaly
At Bellefield House and Gardens · Shinrone, Co. Offaly
Bellefield House and Gardens is one of those places that rewards the curious visitor - a 28-acre estate in the south of County Offaly with a story rooted in restoration, botanical passion, and a genuinely unusual bequest. The late architect and garden designer Angela Jupe bought the then-derelict property in 2004 and spent 17 years bringing it back to life. When she died in 2021, she left it to the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI) to become their training gardens. For Heritage Week 2026, the RHSI opens the gates for a series of guided tours that take in both the walled garden and the ground floor of the house itself - a rare chance to see the full story of what Jupe created.
The tour is led by head gardener Paul Smyth, who has been at the heart of Bellefield’s continued development since the RHSI took stewardship. He walks visitors through the 2-acre walled garden, built of local Tipperary sandstone, along winding paths that pass through a collection of perennial plants and rare bulbs. There are over 300 named and naturalised snowdrop varieties - one of the largest such collections in Ireland - along with a double iris walk inspired by Monet’s garden at Giverny, a 30-metre rill and pond, and an ornate gazebo with an Indian dome, gothic windows, and a fernery at its base. The wider grounds include a native tree plantation, a managed bog area, and forestry that reflects the estate’s biodiversity ambitions.
For Heritage Week 2026, visitors also get access to the ground floor of the house, which dates from around 1810 and holds an extensive gardening library assembled by Jupe over her lifetime. Refreshments are available in the Coach House after the tour.
Shinrone is a small village in south Offaly, roughly 12 kilometres south of Birr and about 15 kilometres from Roscrea in Co. Tipperary. By road, the easiest approach from Dublin is via the M6/M7 motorways, exiting towards Roscrea or Birr and following local roads into Shinrone. Bellefield is located just outside the village. There is no regular public transport serving Shinrone directly, so driving or arranging a lift is the practical option. Parking is typically available on site.
The village itself is a quiet, well-kept place with a local character that is worth a slow walk around before or after your visit. There is more to see in Shinrone and across Co. Offaly.
Heading to Bellefield House and Gardens in Shinrone? Offaly has plenty more to see. Read the Shinrone area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.