Ballymaloe Blog

November Music Week started off with a bang and ended on a high note, literally. From Tuesday through to Sunday we had an abundance of incredible talent down here in Ballymaloe.

Adrian Wisteich from Kinsale Pottery & Arts Centre is running a one-day workshop in Ballymaloe on Saturday, February 27th 2010. In one day you will learn to throw on the potter's wheel, hand-build figures and pots and produce some unique coloured clay work. The course will include the following;

Last Tuesday, September 22nd, Ballymaloe celebrated their 45th year in business. The Allen Family held a celebration dinner in honour of the occasion and especially to thank senior staff members who had worked there from the beginning.

July and August Summer is here and families are visiting once more. We have very creative young guests this month and they have all been inspired by the 2008 Olympics, some are building ramps dotted throughout the wood and garden for bike races, others are trying to learn how to synchronise swim much to the amusement of us all. Unfortunately some of our eggs got used for a bowling competition by two very mischievous young girls ( the chefs did not get their hands on them in time!)

September We are waiting patiently for our blackberries and apples to come, the weather this year has not been very kind so they may not be in plentiful supply as we would hope.

Both Terre Madre ( Slow Food) event in Waterford and Midleton Food Festival have just taken place these last two weekends. A wonderful turnout for both events and visitors to both events enjoyed all that was on offer.

September 17th - 21st inclusive East Cork Early Music Festival, a great week of music from very talented musicians.

Last week Darren purchased some rare breed hens from Giana Fergusson.

The hens are called Houdan and are a French breed that are a mottled black and white, with five toes on each foot. See if you can spot them in our enclosed bird sanctury when you are out for a walk.

The summer has finally arrived and we have been enjoying some beautiful warm sunny days, great for lounging by the pool, walks on the cliffs in Ballycotton and cocktails out front in the sunshine.

Last week our sow had 11 piglets! We hope to see them out of their house this week, so if you have your wellies, and want to take the kids down to have a peek do!

The daffodils are brightening up the front and back drive with their golden heads and there is a lot of wildlife around at the moment. A few pheasant have been spotted scuttling across the front lawn and a white egret was also seen, hare are a common sight as well as rabbits.

Spring is here with the arrival of the daffodils popping their bright heads above ground all over the farm. The chefs are keeping guests warm with delicious hot soups:...mushroom soup, white vegetable soup, leek and potato soup, while it snows outside!

Last week we hosted the annual Life Boat Dinner which was a huge success and raised funds for a worthy cause.</p><p>Don't forget to book a romantic night out for Valentine's Night, a great night out.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

The leaves are turning red, orange and gold and leaving multicoloured carpets around the trees. The weather has been bright and sunny with a fresh breeze. Red Cabbage, Savoy cabbage, leeks and curly kale are also bursting with goodness in the garden, all of which you will find in the menu in the evenings.

Take a walk through the woods and admire the shades of autumn and afterwards enjoy a hot whisky or port beside the fireplace in the drawing room.