Landscape Gardener

Role overview

Howth Castle & Estate is seeking a Landscape Gardener to look after the upkeep, visual quality, and overall care of its historic gardens, grounds, and estate. The role involves a broad mix of horticultural and grounds maintenance work to keep the property presented to a consistently high standard throughout the year.

Core duties

• Plant, nurture, and maintain trees, shrubs, flowers, hedges, and planted beds.
• Keep both formal and informal garden areas in excellent horticultural condition.
• Carry out mowing, strimming, lawn edging, and general grass care across the estate.
• Look after estate roads, walkways, and the surrounding landscaped spaces.
• Prune trees, shrubs, hedges, and climbing plants using appropriate horticultural methods.
• Weed, mulch, water, apply fertiliser, and monitor plant health.
• Use and maintain horticultural machinery and grounds equipment, including ride-on and pedestrian mowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers, leaf blowers, and similar tools.
• Support seasonal planting work and landscape improvement initiatives.
• Complete all duties in a safe manner and follow health and safety requirements.
• Keep the working area clean, orderly, and hazard-free.
• Escalate maintenance problems, plant diseases, pest issues, and safety risks to the Estate Manager.
• Assist the wider estate team with events and other operational needs when required.

Qualifications and experience

The role calls for a Diploma in Horticulture, Landscape Gardening, or a related subject, or an NVQ Level 5 qualification in Horticulture or Landscape Management, or an equivalent standard. A minimum of 3 years of experience in landscape gardening or estate grounds maintenance is required. The ideal candidate will also bring hands-on experience with planting, pruning, lawn care, and routine garden upkeep, plus practical knowledge of operating grounds maintenance machinery. Strong understanding of horticultural techniques, plant identification, and seasonal maintenance needs is essential.

Skills and personal attributes

This position suits someone with solid practical horticultural ability, good organisation, strong time management, and a keen eye for detail. You should be comfortable working alone or with others, take pride in high standards, and be physically able to work outdoors in all weather. A positive, adaptable, and proactive approach is important.

Additional requirements

Preferred extras include PA1/PA6 pesticide application certification, chainsaw certification, a full clean Category B driving licence, and experience in a historic estate, public garden, or heritage setting.

Working pattern

This is a full-time onsite position with flexibility needed for occasional weekend or evening work to support estate events and seasonal demands.

Reporting line

The successful candidate will report to the Golf course superintendent.