Head Gardener

Location: Private Estate Abbeyleix Co. Laois Ireland

Reports to: Estate Manager
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits based on experience
Contract Type: Full-time Permanent

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Head Gardener to lead the horticultural operations on a prestigious and historically significant private estate in Abbeyleix Co. Laois. Situated on a thousand acres of parkland along the River Nore in County Laois Abbeyleix House and Farm is a carefully preserved country estate with hundreds of years of history.

The property includes formal gardens woodlands walled gardens lawns herbaceous borders kitchen gardens and parkland requiring a combination of skilled maintenance and thoughtful development.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a horticultural professional with leadership experience strong plant knowledge and a deep respect for both heritage and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the day-to-day care restoration and development of diverse garden areas across the estate.
• Lead supervise and motivate a team of gardeners apprentices and seasonal workers to maintain the highest horticultural standards across the estate.
• Plan and implement planting schemes seasonal displays and landscape improvements in line with the estates aesthetic and ecological values.
• Oversee the kitchen garden team supplying seasonal produce to the household as required.
• Ensure all horticultural practices support biodiversity soil health and sustainable management.
• Monitor plant health pests and diseases; implement environmentally responsible control measures.
• Operate and maintain garden machinery and tools ensuring safety protocols are followed.
• Manage garden budgets maintain records and source plants tools and materials.
• Work closely with the Estate Manager household staff and external contractors when necessary.
• Plan and allocate daily weekly and seasonal tasks ensuring efficient use of time and resources.
• Provide on-the-job training and guidance to less experienced staff fostering skill development and horticultural knowledge.
• Create a tailored training program for all gardening staff from apprentices to experienced gardeners based on their skill levels and the estates needs.
• Monitor team performance provide regular feedback and ensure a positive and professional working environment.
• Conduct team meetings and liaise with the Estate Manager to align gardening work with broader estate operations and priorities.
• Ensure that all team members are trained in workplace safety protocols including safe handling of tools machinery chemicals and working in adverse weather conditions.
• Ensure all staff follow health and safety procedures including the correct use of tools machinery and chemicals.
• Recruit additional seasonal or contract staff as needed in consultation with the Estate Manager.
• Support estate events or public open days as appropriate.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years experience in a senior gardening or head gardener role ideally on a large private or historic estate.
• Experience managing a horticultural team
• Recognised horticultural qualification (e.g. Level 5 or equivalent).
• Strong knowledge of Irish climate and planting conditions.
• Experience with heritage garden maintenance formal and informal planting andproductive growing.
• Experience of garden design would be a distinct advantage.
• Successful track record in leading developing and motivating employees.
• Passion energy and commitment with high personal integrity and a practical pragmatic and hardworking presence with the flexibility required for the role.
• A strong and self-confident team player with a collaborative and facilitative leadership style.
• Excellent effective and confident communication skills - face-to-face on the phone and in writing with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to work on own initiative innovatively and think outside the box to drive projects forward.
• An ability to prioritise objectives and meet deadlines.
• Strong IT skills including Word Excel and CAD.
• PA1/PA6 Spraying Certification (or Irish equivalent).
• Chainsaw cert

Abbeyleix House and Farm is a prestigious and historically significant private estate in Abbeyleix Co. Laois. Situated on a thousand acres of parkland along the River Nore in County Laois Abbeyleix House and Farm is a carefully preserved country estate with hundreds of years of history.

The property includes formal gardens woodlands walled gardens lawns herbaceous borders kitchen gardens and parkland requiring a combination of skilled maintenance and thoughtful development.