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| Angela Jupe’s Georgian home Bellefield House |
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| In March the garden is full of daffodils and hellebores. |
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| Wild woodland planting around the house |
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| The stable yard stone out buildings have been transformed into rental properties |
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| Even the potting shed is beautiful! |
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| The gardens have some strong architectural features built around reclaimed and salvaged materials |
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| Blue anemones follow me around these days! |
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| And we got a sneak peek through the back door and into Angela’s home, Bellefield House |
I’d say for sure there isn’t a square inch of Angela Jupe’s life that isn’t some expression of her inner creative spark. While I could write about her amazing garden and Georgian home at Bellefield in County Offaly, it is the woman herself as an artist whose work I feel deserves the appreciation and recognition here.
Now retired, she has illustrated her philosophy through 8 transformative personal projects- and the many other houses and gardens she has renovated and re-designed over her life time. As a landscape designer and architect, she is that rare commodity a female visual artist of the outdoors in Ireland.
I had stored up in my rusting memory an article about Angela describing how catmint is a great substitute for lavender in an Irish garden. That was probably 20 years ago, so it was wonderful to chat to her about design, collecting art you love and experiencing first hand one of her projects.
While travelling in the Midlands this week on an organised blogger tour I was struck many times by the passion of individuals creating beautiful worlds through collaborating with nature. From our blogger organiser Margaret from Oldfarm, passionate about food, the workers at the Birr Theatre lovers of the arts, to the restorers of Fancroft Mill lovers of engineering and history, pure inspiration.
The Middle of Ireland has a soft tranquility about it. Off the beaten track, there is space and time here. There are many kinds of travellers and tourists. I’m the kind who tries to avoid crowds, queues, fast food and bikini opportunities. I’m looking for meandering paths, gentle unspoiled landscapes and local specialities-with maybe some of that elusive fairy dust thrown in….
For me Angela Jupe’s influence on the treasures of the #magicalmidlands is one of the best examples I know of going through life and adding a fair sprinkling of fairy dust to everything you touch along the way……
More posts on the Magical Midlands Blogger Tour next week. Also thanks to Mid Ireland Tourism for sponsoring the tour and inviting me to participate.
Catherine,
Thank you so much for such a beautiful post…. you've almost reduced me to tears! Such beautiful words and photos. It was wonderful that you could come and join us.
Margaret
Such a special treat! Thank you Margaret for inviting me…..for a photographer there is nothing quite like a few surprises and a change of scene but to have that on the hour was a new experience entirely!! #magicalmidlands
Beautiful post!! You have such a great eye!
Thank you Regula! Think you have made my day x
Thanks for taking us along too! Beautiful!
Thanks Robin! It was a respite from the world……
What an amazing tour to take! lots of wild beauty here, thanks for sharing.
Thank you Susan! It is and she is a special artist……
What a beautiful garden – the owner's love for gardening shines through each of these images.
So glad you shared this place – a real treasure.
Put two artists together and we get to share in the beauty. Thank you so much Catherine, wonderful post about an obviously magical place and person.
Hi Jane! I'm such a fan!
That is a wonderful garden and house. We visited a garden in Dublin and got invited into the house, it must be the Irish hospitality! Sarah x
I could write a book on the Irish hospitality!! I agree, the people make the place:~)
So very lovely.
Thank you for visiting with me Greenthumb!
Wonderful photos Catherine and a great account of this beautiful place. I love how we all captured the same place slightly differently.
I know it's fascinating to experience each other's methods. I actually learned so much from it. And you are such a prolific creative Lisa! I'm seeing you everywhere x
always a little envious of beautiful colours on painted front doors.
Now inspired to paint ours garnet red.
O yes go for it! Garnet red sounds so vibrant ❤️
I did not get to spend much time in the Midlands when I visited 7 years ago…wish I had. A good next trip at some point. Amazing creative gardens and views. Love that greenhouse.
Another hidden gem I had never been to before although I read about her so many times. Looking forward to your next trip Donna!