Daphne Levinge Shackleton spent her early years in Co Westmeath, Ireland, on the shores of Lough Ree just north of Athlone. She graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with an honours degree in Botany followed by a PhD in 1977.

She then practiced as an environmental consultant. She lived at and managed the Shackleton Garden, Beech Park, Clonsilla, Co Dublin and then Lakeview Gardens while bringing up her family.

Well known as a botanical artist, she exhibited in many group exhibitions in the 1980’s and continues to paint from her studio at Lakeview.

For the past twenty years she has combined her expertise of  plants, ecology and gardens with her artistic skills in a successful garden consultancy practice from her home in Ireland.

She is based in Co Cavan where she manages a certified organic farm, www.lakevieworganicfarm, which produces organic beef & lamb for sale.