Ballymaloe Blog

The annual Ballycotton Lifeboat fundraising Gala dinner at Ballymaloe House will take place on Friday 3rd February and for 2017 the production title is ‘The Golden Age of Hollywood’.   Ballymaloe House has supported Ballycotton Lifeboat for over 50 years and this annual event is a special night to the Allen family as it was at a Ballycotton Lifeboat fundraising evening in Ballymaloe House that Ivan and Myrtle Allen first met - little did they know then, that Ballymaloe House would become what it is today. 

In Peter's own words "Painting the like of "4-Seasons' Trees" has essentially to do with my place on this Earth.  Not very different from my farmin and growing of vegetables and apples.  It is another attempt at bein part of everything that's out there: @Fields and hedgerows under ever changing skies, the garden and orchard - representations of its trees of course, however visually translated, a prominent feature of this exhibition."    

Feel at home in one of the Ballymaloe House farm cottages and make Ballymaloe gardens your backyard.  Enjoy all the facilities at Ballymaloe House and the many local sites and amenities.  There may well be an event at the Ballymaloe Grainstore during your stay or visit the Ballymaloe Cookery School for an afternoon demonstration or short course. 

John de Vere White has been involved in the art world for over 40 years.  A large part of his career has been at the helm of the deVeres Art Auctions.  Apart from handling the sale by auction of Irish Art, John has been active in advising both individuals and corporate bodies in assembling collections. 

John together with his colleague Rory Guthrie will offer advice on the best strategy in putting together a collection.  He will try to point the right course to follow and discuss the various pitfalls to avoid. 

Ballymaloe House was delighted take part in the Midleton Food Festival 2016 by hosting a summer supper club with guest chef Louise Bannon (Ex Noma). 

The evening started with a cocktail in the walled garden, followed by Dublin born Louise's Noma influenced seasonal set menu and an organic wine for each course.

Louise's set menu included some of East Cork's finest local food producers and delicious vegetables from Ballymaloe House's own walled gardens (menu attached)

During the exhbition Richie Scott offered guided tours of the open air sculpture exhibition FORM16 - Silent Expression every Tuesday & Thursday evening giving a great insight to the art and the artists.  

My Room with a View

Written by recent guest Chloe aged 15 (August 2016)  

I woke up this morning to look out my window only to see a sea of green; Green Grass, green trees. I could see that it would be a beautiful summer’s day.

Amongst the grass, I could see sculptures, both big & small. Some people were admiring them. I could see my favourite sculpture- A sculpture of a deer, standing alone but strong.

In support of Failte Ireland’s Ancient East we are offering the opportunity for our guests to make history with us and leave their green footprint on the grounds of Ballymaloe House.  Our “Sessile Oak Tree Walkway” has began and offers the opportunity for our many loyal guests to leave their own mark on the Ballymaloe estate.  In this blog Daphne records details of the plantings.

Ballymaloe Cookery School's 'Ballymaloe Cookery School Glasshouse Dinner' was first held in the summer of 2012 and has now become an annual event, drawing food-lovers, artisan producers and chefs from all around the world. Held under the canopy of the Ballymaloe Cookery Schools extensive glashouses Chef Rory O'Connell and his culinary team dream up an inspiring menu based on seasonal, local and, of course, organic ingredients for 100 expectant guests.

As the sun shines brightly in Ballymaloe House and the long summer evenings are ahead, some of the Ballymaloe team went on a familiarisation tour to local Cork Cidery / Distillery and fellow Ireland’s Blue Book Country House Hotel, Longueville House.  Longueville House is currently owned by the O’Callaghan family and is located just outside Mallow.  Set in a 500 acre wooded estate, Longueville House was originally built in the 1720’s and the Georgian Mansion is situated to enjoy breath-taking views of the surrounding Blackwater Valley.