Bellefield House, a historic property hailing from the early 19th century, is nestled in the very heart of Ireland. It marks the midpoint between the renowned towns of Birr and Roscrea, and proudly manifests two acres of Tipperary sandstone walled gardens teeming with brambles. Architect and garden enthusiast Angela Jupe, known for her eye for good properties in dire need of restoration, gifted this fascinating residence, its gardens and farmland to the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI).
The once hunting lodge of the Duke of Rochester, constructed around 1810-1820, later expanded to accommodate a successful stud farm. Numerous stud farming families maintained ownership until the 1970s when the last proprietor, Mr Willington, passed away. Since he had no one to inherit the property, its 1,000 acres of land were surrendered to the Land Commission. Eventually, Bellefield House and gardens were procured by a veterinary surgeon. Post that, in 2004, Jupe purchased the property at an auction. Paul Smyth, the chief gardener narrates how the house was previously inhabited, however, the vast extension buildings at the back were uninhabited for roughly 30 years. Jupe then dedicated the last 15-16 years of her life to refurbish the property and revitalize it to its current glory.
The transformation of RHSI Bellefield House and Gardens cannot be discussed without taking into account Jupe’s relentless efforts. Jupe’s unwavering determination, passion and expertise turned the slightly ramshackle Georgian farmhouse, and its neglected stone stables and overgrown grounds into a sanctuary for gardeners, artists, and curious visitors. Prior to her demise in 2021, she had bequeathed the property to the RHSI.
Smyth points out that Bellefield House was not the first of her endeavours. As told by him, “She had bought, renovated and sold nearly eight different period properties in her lifetime, and even prior to acquiring Bellefield, she had restored Fancroft Mill House, located on the outskirts of Roscrea. She had a particular interest in the sets of challenges that come along with different properties. Despite being in her mid-sixties when she took on Bellefield, an age when most would hesitate to take up such an intimidating project, she cherished the opportunity and dove headfirst into it.”
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In the world of horticulture, Bellefield House presented a challenge that did not deter Angela. Known as someone who never shied away from a challenging garden project, she was remembered fondly by Smyth, a horticultural student who spent a year under her guidance. Angela had high expectations and did not hesitate to point out mistakes, always emphasizing the importance of learning and practising, instead of just discussing horticulture. Having students arrive at Bellefield with no practical horticulture experience was a matter she often remarked upon.
Angela, an only child, developed a passion for horticulture through her aunt from Co Tipperary. After the death of her father, she and her mother relocated to Clontarf. She pursued architecture at UCD and graduated in the late 1960s, working with many firms in Dublin.
In 1984, Angela founded her own architectural practice, specialising in period restoration. With time, her architectural prowess was mingled with her love for horticulture as she founded specialist companies like Traditional Gardening, focusing on design and construction, and Garden Furnishing, stocking architectural salvage items, antiques, and statuary at a time when such collections weren’t highly valued.
In stark contrast to her architectural discipline, Angela preferred a less formal approach to gardens, expressing a liking for surprise elements in a garden. She carried out restoration on the original two-acre walled garden featuring an Indian-style folly amidst apple trees and the addition of a 30m rill lined with Iris ensata, along with a pond for the Neptune glasshouse garden.
A passion for plant acquisition has blessed the garden with a plethora of snowdrops, amounting to one of Ireland’s largest collections. Alongside the house, a space of wilderness flourishes, hosting an assortment of exotic foliage like Mexican dahlias, wild rosewater species, heritage and uncommon daffodils, Chinese peonies, French roses, and remarkable rose trees.
As Smyth puts it, the gardens are distinctive, even unparalleled, attributing a significant part of their charm to Angela’s innovative use of salvaged items, giving the area characteristic and whimsical aspects. Angela was particularly taken by the two-acre walled garden, as owning one was a long-standing dream of hers and played a significant role in her decision to purchase Bellefield.
The natural beauty of the garden’s location is equally captivating, with stunning restored buildings positioned at the rear end. The place also functions as a sanctuary for wildlife, including owls, red squirrels, and newts dwelling in the pond. Infrequently, the area sees the growth of bee orchids, which tend to appear sporadically. The garden also gained recognition from an English visitor who commented on its charm, likening it to a more relaxed version of an English country garden.
Jupe’s generous donation ensures the garden’s continuance and further growth. Her hope for the garden was to turn it into a hands-on training centre for horticulture students under RHSI’s guidance. With time, the plan is to retrofit some of the existing outbuildings into student accommodations, enhancing their on-site experience.
The property invites public exploration from 11am to 5pm, April through October. Visitors may also book a holiday stay at the house via Airbnb, indulging in its many amenities apart from the serene garden experience.
Smyth, the lead horticulturist, recognises that Jupe’s endowment was unusual. He mentions that while estates have been bequeathed to the Office of Public Works, the number of instances where places akin to Bellefield have been bestowed to RHSI is minimal. Angela’s will outlined explicit guidelines about what she envisaged it transforming into. These guidelines have become their main principle, but they also need to ensure financial viability among other things. They have taken the initiative of regularly engaging volunteers for both tasks and education purposes.
During Heritage Week, RHSI Bellefield House and Gardens will be open for public viewing, offering guided tours and the opportunity for refreshments post-tour. Entrance is priced at €15. More information can be found at www.rhsi.ie.