Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

Landscape architects plan and design all types of outdoor spaces such as recreational areas, roads and reservoirs. They also look at the settings for buildings in town and country. In towns, landscape architects may work on the grounds of hospitals, housing estates, parks and play areas. In rural areas, landscape architects work on agricultural, forest and tourist landscapes, and the grounds of power stations and industrial buildings. The design of public and private gardens may also be part of their work.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Prepare graphic representations or drawings of proposed plans or designs.
• Confer with clients, engineering personnel, or architects on landscape projects.
• Integrate existing land features or landscaping into designs.
• Inspect landscape work to ensure compliance with specifications, evaluate quality of materials or work, or advise clients or construction personnel.
• Analyse data on conditions such as site location, drainage, or structure location for environmental reports or landscaping plans.
• Develop marketing materials, proposals, or presentations to generate new work opportunities.
• Manage the work of subcontractors to ensure quality control.
• Present project plans or designs to public stakeholders, such as government agencies or community groups.
• Prepare site plans, specifications, or cost estimates for land development.
• Create landscapes that minimise water consumption such as by incorporating drought-resistant grasses or indigenous plants.

Further Information

• Landscape Architect / Designer - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Landscape Architect / Designer - from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

To become a landscape architect you can do a degree in Landscape Architecture or you can take a postgraduate course after a degree in a related subject such as architecture, agriculture or other appropriate discipline, with suitable work experience. Courses up to degree level in horticulture and landscape, and gardening are available throughout the country. 

The designation of the term 'Architect', like that of 'Doctor', is protected - it cannot be used by anyone who does not have specific qualifications and accreditation.

In Ireland, to become an architect you must first get a degree from a recognised school of Architecture, followed by two years of approved practical experience and successfully pass an accredited professional practice examination. Accredited professional practice examinations are currently provided around Ireland.

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre PLC Courses: Architectural Design & Technology, Pre University Architecture, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture, Garden & Landscape Design NFQ level 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Architecture & Architectural Technology, Horticulture, Landscape Architecture at NFQ level 7-8 Search CAO Courses  

Recognised degree courses in architecture take up to five years of full-time study. Many students take a year out for practical experience between the third and fourth years. Achieving full professional qualification as an architect can therefore take seven to nine years.

Five-year degree programmes may be split into a three-year course followed by a two-year course, or a four-year course followed by a one-year course. Graduates of the initial three-year or four-year Architecture courses are eligible for RIAI student membership.

On completion of your 5 year qualification in architecture with a recognised college, you are eligible for architectural graduate membership of the RIAI Accredited RIAI Training

Professional Development 

Once you have achieved a minimum of two years approved post graduate experience you can take a professional practice examination provided by TU Dublin or UCD. On passing your professional practice examination you become eligible to apply for admission to the Register for Architects and full membership of the RIAI. RIAI Accreditation is recognised by the Irish Government and EU legislation. You can explore ongoing CPD for continuous professional development in your career. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €60k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and shift pattern.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Erieri/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The annual average employment growth was above average for this occupation, although employment levels declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. New employment permits issued in 2022 related to quantity surveyors and issues with recruitment of quantity surveyors were also evident in both the Skills for Growth and Recruitment Agency Survey data.

The supply of quantity surveyors has increased since 2016, with 336 awards in 2021 in higher education. The demand for these skills is expected to be sustained in the coming years, although the tasks may be incorporated into other occupations e.g. structural engineer. With supply increasing, issues with recruitment may lessen in future years. Demand for architects and town planners is likely to continue, although the data does not currently point to issues in relation to sourcing suitably qualified personnel for these roles. 

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

  • Cabinteely House, The Park, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
  • (01) 493 7154
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Institute of Designers in Ireland

  • The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Thomas St., Dublin 8
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Botanic Gardens

  • Glasnevin, Dublin 9
  • (01) 804 0201
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here