The gardens re-open following significant enhancement and redevelopment works
Bellefield House and Gardens has officially re-opened its’ beautiful gardens after significant enhancement and redevelopment works designed to enhance the visitor experience, improve accessibility and support sustainable tourism development in the region.
This Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI) owned project represents a total investment of €360,000 and received funding of €288,000 under Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund.
The redevelopment has transformed key visitor facilities throughout the site, delivering accessibility improvements including accessible toilets and access ramps. The project also included enhanced wayfinding and visitor orientation, upgrades to walking trails and pathways, the renovation of the coach house to provide a visitor reception area, gift shop and café, and the restoration of the site’s glasshouse, which will facilitate gardening workshops.
These improvements will enable Bellefield House and Gardens to welcome more visitors, enhance the quality of the visitor experience and strengthen its role as a tourism and community asset within Offaly and the wider Midlands region.
Welcoming the launch of the project, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:
“I am pleased to see the official re-opening of Bellefield House and Gardens following a significant enhancement and redevelopment project. Delivered through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme under the EU Just Transition Fund, this investment has helped restore and enhance an important heritage and community asset, while improving accessibility and creating a more welcoming and engaging visitor experience for all.”
“Investments like this play an important role in strengthening the tourism offering across Offaly and the wider Midlands region. By enhancing visitor facilities and encouraging more people to discover the area’s rich heritage, Bellefield House and Gardens will help attract more visitors, support local businesses and communities, and contribute to sustainable economic development across the region. I congratulate the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, the Bellefield Management Committee, Fáilte Ireland and everyone involved in delivering this project, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have for the local community and visitors alike in the years ahead.”
Head of Just Transition at Fáilte Ireland, Gráinne Cornally said:
“The opening of Bellefield House and Gardens represents a significant investment in Offaly’s tourism offering and demonstrates the positive impact that Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme is having in enhancing unique visitor attractions for the benefit of visitors and local communities alike.”
The extensive improvements delivered through this project, including enhanced accessibility, visitor facilities and interpretation, will strengthen the visitor experience at Bellefield, encouraging more visitors to spend time in the area and support the local economy.
Across the Midlands, this scheme is supporting projects that build on the distinctive heritage, character and culture of local communities while creating new opportunities for sustainable tourism development. Bellefield House and Gardens is a wonderful example of how these investments are helping to unlock the tourism potential of our regions and deliver lasting benefits for visitors, residents and businesses.”
Mary Hensey, EU Just Transition Tourism Activator, Offaly County Council said:
“Bellefield is a wonderful example of how EU Just Transition funding can help develop Offaly’s tourism offering, enhance accessibility and create new opportunities for visitors and the local community. It has been a pleasure working closely with the Bellefield team throughout their application process and continuing to support them as the project has progressed. It is fantastic to see this investment come to life.”
Gillian Davidson, Chairperson, The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland (RHSI) said:
“The RHSI are delighted to have received this co-funding from the EU Just Transition Fund. Our mission is to promote the pleasure of gardening and its heritage, sustainable horticulture and hands-on skills, in the beautiful setting of our base in Bellefield.”
Geraldine Colleran, Chair, Bellefield Management Committee said:
“The restoration and accessibility enhancements enable us to welcome increasing numbers of visitors to Bellefield and to offer a wider range of workshops, plant fairs, and events”
