The Family Friendly Garden Maeve O’Neill

About the Garden - Large Garden

This south-facing feature garden from Bord Bia’s ‘Easy Step to Dream Gardens’ series highlights the practical factors to consider when planning a garden for a family with small children. The space works for adults as well as young people and it can adapt to changing needs as the children grow up.

The design for this split-level garden features three distinct zones: a patio with a vibrant raised bed encased in weathered steel; a lawn with a solid wall where the children can play ball; and a relaxed seating area at the back of the garden. There you’ll see the green-roofed playhouse with a sandpit and a shed which can be used for an office or storage, or converted into a den when the children are older.

About the Designer

A photo of landscape architect Maeve O'Neill, posed with her hands clasped together on her lap, facing the camera. In the background is a garden with grass, plants and trees.

Maeve O'Neill

Designer Information

Maeve O’Neill is a landscape architect, sculptor, and former art teacher who served as a design fellow with University College Dublin’s Landscape Architecture Department from 2017-2020.

She is the founder of Realise Landscape Architects, an award-winning landscape design practice with an expertise in creating timeless contemporary landscapes with a considered approach to design.

Maeve has won a number of awards at Bord Bia Bloom including a gold medal and Best Planting Award for her Grounded – Growing Conversations Around Mental Illness show garden for Janssen, Aware and See Change (2019). This is her third Bloom show garden.