Ballymaloe House, widely considered the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine, provides the ultimate escape for holidaymakers this summer. The lush grounds and incredible dining experiences can be enjoyed on their own, or as a gateway to myriad tourism experiences in East Cork.
The estate, set on 300 acres of country gardens and rich farmland, is rife for exploration after you’ve had your tea and cake on arrival that is. The blissful relaxation only starts there, with cocktails in the drawing room, five-course menus of outstanding local food, and the luxury of an elegant bedroom all stretching ahead.
A suite of tailor-made packages is available at Ballymaloe House, designed with Romancers and Escaping Parents in mind. Romancers can avail of all the delights of the house, enjoy a lazy breakfast, then immerse themselves in some of the fantastic nearby attractions. The ever-popular Titanic Experience in Cobh is conveniently close, as is the Ballycotton Lighthouse where you take a boat across for a guided tour.
Escaping parents can utterly relax and unwind at the stunning grounds of Ballymaloe, and take advantage of local attractions that only adults can enjoy. What says escapism more than a tasting tour of the Ballymaloe Wine Cellar, a game of tennis, or a guilt-free potter around the English Market in Cork City?
Laura Behan, General Manager of Ballymaloe House says the Ballymaloe picnic offerings have become a huge hit with holiday makers: “You will be treated to a delicious selection of fresh seasonal produce straight from the walled garden and freshly baked and prepared by the Ballymaloe kitchen, with seasonally flavoured Kefir water all beautifully packaged in an easily transportable picnic basket.”
The incredible “Farm to Fork” story of Ballymaloe House dates back to 1848 when Myrtle and Ivan Allen bought the property. Myrtle began collecting cookbooks, swapping recipes and taught herself to cook using her husband’s farm produce. In 1964 she opened the family dining room as The Yeats Room, and the rest is history. Myrtle passed away peacefully in 2018 and has left a legacy that is second to none in terms of Irish cuisine and hospitality.
Ballymaloe House is still owned by the Allen family and Myrtle’s daughter offers residents complimentary house and family history tours. Ballymaloe House continues to offer the very best of seasonal locally sourced food and retains its reputation as an original Irish country house experience.
For more on the estate and the various holiday packages available, visit the Ballymaloe House website.