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Overview
Ballymaloe House Hotel is a family-owned country house and restaurant delivering the very best Irish culinary experiences and hospitality since 1964.
Ballymaloe House is a Georgian house built onto a Norman Castle in East Cork. A getaway to Ballymaloe House promises a tranquil countryside retreat, luxurious accommodation, and internationally celebrated farm-to-fork dining as it is recognised as the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine. Set amongst 300 acres of working farmland and lush biodiverse gardens, Ballymaloe House is an award winner for its sustainable practices both inside and outside the property. Uniquely, on arrival, guests are offered a generous slice of the cake of the day and freshly brewed tea or coffee. There is also a weekly timetable of complimentary guest experiences such as History, Biodiversity, or garden tours available. Ballymaloe House offers a blend of historic charm and luxury experience.
Read MoreDining
Ballymaloe House has its own walled garden which provides a pick of seasonal fruit and vegetables. Fresh fish comes from the nearby picturesque fishing village Ballycotton and East Cork’s local beef and lamb, and Ballymaloe Farm pork also play a starring role on the menu.
Ballymaloe House menus are based on farm-to-fork principles. They serve simple, wholesome food and the restaurant menus are changing often, based on seasonal produce available.
The food at Ballymaloe House Hotel showcases the best Irish country house cooking with an emphasis on freshly homegrown produce.
Breakfast is served in the Long room and small conservatory and is a combination of delicious wholesome buffet options and classic Irish breakfast choices. Seasonal fruit compotes and homemade yoghurt and a selection of Ballymaloe breads and scones are baked freshly every morning and can be loaded up with jams made from the hotel’s own fruits.
A light a la carte Conservatory lunch is served overlooking the Ballymaloe gardens, and Ballymaloe House evening dining is a lavish culinary experience enjoyed in the houses 7 elegant dining rooms.
Dinner is a leisurely 5-course, seasonal farm-to-fork culinary experience including a first course of soup, salad, followed by a second course which may feature local seafood, seasonal vegetables, pates, or terrines. Main courses include locally reared meat and poultry and the catch of the day and a vegetarian option. Enjoy Irish cheese with homemade biscuits selection and conclude with Ballymaloe’s world restaurant award winning Dessert Trolley when ‘A little of everything’ is encouraged.
On Friday evenings, there is a seafood hors D’Oeurve buffet featuring the best Irish seafood like lobster (when available), oysters, mussels, and crab as well as smoked mackerel (when in season).
Breakfast is served daily between 08.00 – 10.30.
Lunch in the Conservatory is served Monday to Saturday, 12.30 to 14.00.
The Ballymaloe House 5-Course dining experience is served Monday to Saturday, 18.30 – 21.00.
On Sundays, Ballymaloe serves a lighter four course menu.
From morning to night, dining in Ballymaloe House is a remarkable and memorable experience. Recently awarded our Good Food Ireland Culinary Haven Award, Ballymaloe House Hotel is an essential destination for the decerning food, and planet loving, traveller.
Rooms & Facilities
Ballymaloe is on 300 acres of working farmland grounds and has a heated outdoor pool in the summer months, gardens, and vegetable gardens. Benches are dotted throughout the gardens for guests to sit in summer and read or listen to the sounds of the farm.
There is also the Ballymaloe Craft and Kitchen Shop and Café onsite.
The Ballymaloe Grainstore, originally a 17th century farmyard building, is now an elegant multi-purpose venue on the estate. They host a variety of musical, theatrical, film and art events throughout the year and weekly activities such as Yoga, Bridge, Pilates as well as being available for weddings, private or corporate events.
Bedrooms at Ballymaloe House Hotel are all different and all beautifully appointed, with a bespoke design and distinct character offering the guests an exclusive overnight experience.
The rooms are individually named and decorated using quaint, floral themed wallpapers creating a luxurious country house atmosphere. On theme attention to detail is carried throughout the furnishings, marrying timeless elegance with the modern comforts.
All rooms include fluffy bathrobes and slippers, are ensuite, and includes a self-controlled heating/cooling system, a high-speed Wi-Fi, and the indulgent Voya range bathroom amenities.
Fresh seasonal flowers from Ballymaloe’s gardens adorn the bedrooms.
Experiences By Ballymaloe House Hotel
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of Ballymaloe House Hotel and has been from the very first day of operations. In 1985 Ivan Allen wanted to move away from fossil fuels and therefore in 1984 the family purchased a biomass straw boiler and has not looked back since. Materials from the Ballymaloe Farm have been used for this boiler to provide fuel for heating and hot water. Ballymaloe estimate that this has saved using over 600,000 litres of oil over this time.
The land in which Ballymaloe House Hotel is situated is also playing a big role in sustainable initiatives. Over the years Ballymaloe have planted acres worth of trees which now equate to 1000 tonnes of carbon stored. Moreover, solar panels have also been installed in 2021 which has led to them being fully independent of the ESB on sunny days.
Much of the ingredients used at Ballymaloe are produced and grown on their farm, reducing food miles dramatically while items not available on-site are sourced from local suppliers. You’ll also find their very own beehives producing honey and further nurturing bio-diversity.
Nearby Experiences
Experiences- Accommodation
- Dining
- Cook & Shop
- Meet the Makers
