Ballymaloe House
Fifty-seven years after Myrtle Allen opened a restaurant in her home on her husband’s farm, her values are still articles of faith at this legendary country house hotel. More
Good Hotel Guide Review
Fifty-seven years after Myrtle Allen opened a restaurant in her home on her husband’s farm, her values are still articles of faith at this legendary country house hotel. Myrtle died in 2018, but ‘her spirit lingers’, say readers. Peter Loughnane, the new general manager, now helps Myrtle’s daughter Fern with running the hotel, while Fern’s sister-in-law Darina runs the cookery school and organic farm outside Shanagarry. From breads baked early each morning, to fruit and vegetables from the walled garden, as much as possible is home-produced. Dervilla O’Flynn composes her menus according to what arrives fresh in the kitchen on the day, finalising dinner choices after fish is delivered in the afternoon (typical dishes: monkfish with garden herbs; pork braised in Normandy cider). Breakfast brings kippers, the famous freshly baked bread and Ballymaloe eggs. Bedrooms, in the main house and in garden and courtyard annexes, have country house decor, a mix of period and contemporary furniture, and fresh-cut flowers. Three new bedrooms have been added this year as Myrtle’s legacy continues to grow. (Mary Milne-Day)
Hotel details
Address
Shanagarry
Co. Cork
P25 Y070
Ireland
Telephone
00 353 21 465 2531
Bedrooms
32. 12 in adjacent building, 4 on ground floor with wheelchair access.
Open
all year, except 24–26 Dec, Mon–Thurs in Jan.
Facilities
drawing room, bar, 2 TV rooms, conservatory, restaurant, private dining, wedding facilities, 6-acre gardens, tennis, 5-hole golf course, outdoor swimming pool (10 by 4 metres), cookery school, café/kitchen shop, restaurant wheelchair accessible.
Background music
none.
Children
all ages welcomed.
Dogs
not allowed.
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
per room B&B single from €150, double €280–€440. Set dinner, 5 courses (Mon–Sat) €80, Sun night buffet €70.
Other reviews
Good Hotel Guide articles about
Ballymaloe House
- The Observer: 10 of the best hotels in Britain and Ireland
- USA Today: 20 of the most beautiful hotels in Ireland
- Huffington Post USA: Seven of the most beautiful hotels in Ireland
- MSN Travel: the top 10 wedding hotels in UK and Ireland
10% discount voucher
This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 10% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night’s stay. To take advantage of this offer, you must present the voucher at the time of booking.
Guide Book Vouchers
This hotel accepts discount vouchers which entitle readers to a 25% discount off their normal B&B rate for a single night’s stay. Each printed copy of the Guide contains six vouchers worth in total about £150.
Buy the guide
Comments about Ballymaloe House