Things to do on the grounds, in the locality and in Cork.
There are several art and photography exhibitions held throughout the year in both Ballymaloe House and Ballymaloe Grainstore.
The Ballymaloe Café serves delicious café-style lunches and mouth watering homemade cakes. Open every day from 10am to 5pm. Facebook The Cafe at the end of the shop
We have a slide, sandpit and plenty of board games to keep children entertained during their stay.
We are delighted to offer our residents some complimentary 'behind the scenes' experiences available during your stay. Book early on arrival, places are limited.
I.e.: Biodiversity with our groundsman, House & Family History, Floral Design, Wine Cellar Tour, Walled Garden Tour.
There is a croquet lawn in front of the house which is always popular on dry days with both children and adults. It is free for residents to use, you will find croquet mallets and balls in a little box beside the lawn.
There are several bikes of various sizes that are free for guests to use. Children are welcome to cycle around the farm and through the woods.
Step into the kitchen and roll up your sleeves, you can learn the secrets of Ballymaloe bread baking! Not currently available due to COVID19 restrictions.
A fun, beginners Pilates dance class to tone your body and loose inches. €50 for a six week course, contact Lindsay to discuss a drop in rate.
The outdoor swimming pool is filled as soon as the weather gets warm enough - usually sometime in May, and emptied when it gets too chilly to swim - usually in late September.
The relaxed, outdoor tennis court is located between the swimming pool and woodlands. No need to book a space, use it as you wish.
The Ballymaloe Shop is located at Ballymaloe House. here you will find a range of Irish designer crafts, wool blankets and scarves, cook books, kitchen accessories, bakeware, kitchenware and lots more.
Pick up a map of our Ballymaloe woodland walks and farmland from reception and visit the farm animals. We have several pigs on the farm and if you are lucky there will be litter of baby piglets (which are particularly cute), amongst the herd during your stay.
There are many nice walks around the Ballymaloe gardens, woodlands and farm, these are all marked on a detailed map which is available at reception.
We also hold regular wine events throughout the year when wine experts and producers from around the world give talks and tastings.
Fusion Yoga with Alison Faith combines a variety of Yoga styles with relaxation and well being techniques in a carefully selected blend (like great coffee!) to liberate, recharge and empower your whole system!
There are loads of things you can do in the local area, you might like to visit, Fota Wildlife Park, Leahy’s Open Farm, Trabolgan Swimming Pool, Bridgefield Buggies (Quads), Perks Leisure-plex.
Ballycotton is a famous fishing village situated approximately 40km (25 miles) east of Cork City. The village is set on a rocky-ledge overlooking Ballycotton Bay.
The Ballycotton Sea Adventure’s team operates a passenger ferry to Ballycotton Lighthouse, where you’ll receive a guided tour from one of our local knowledgeable guides.
Tours run from April -September and are weather dependant. Please note that this adventure is not suitable for bikes or buggies.
The internationally renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School, run by Darina Allen, is located two miles from Ballymaloe House.
There are lots of lovely coves and beaches within a 15 minute drive of Ballymaloe, these vary from small rocky inlets that are perfect for a picnic and rock pooling to larger sandy beaches which are lovely for walking and building sandcastles on.
There are several very nice gardens within driving distance of Ballymaloe.
There is a choice of excellent golf courses nearby, please ask one of our receptionist if you need help to make a booking: Castlemartyr Resort and Fota Island Resort being the closest.
Horse Riding can be arranged at Monatrea Equestrian Centre near Youghal where they cater for both beginners and more advanced riders.
There are many nice walks around the Ballymaloe gardens, woodlands and farm, these are all marked on a detailed map which is available at reception.
The historic market town of Midleton is less than 15 minutes from Ballymaloe House and despite being on one of Ireland's busiest roads, the area in and around Midleton is one of the best kept secrets on the island of Ireland. Visit the Tourist Office at the gate of the Old Jameson Distillery (the home of Jameson Whiskey) for information of all the fabulous local attractions to see and do whilst staying in the area.
A venture founded on a core appreciation of craftsmanship and enduring quality; the handmade craft as a skilled process of production by hand and machine. Shanagarry Potters curates, commissions and sells unique traditional and contemporary collections, collaborating with our fellow makers and keepers of cultural heritage.
At our Midleton Distillery, come face-to-face with the world's largest pot still on our DistilleryExperience tour, enjoy a premium whiskey tasting or draw and taste whiskey straight from a cask straight in our live Maturation Warehouse.
11km from Ballymaloe House
If you are interested in Irish music we can help you to find a good session during your stay.
Every Saturday at the Ballymaloe Cookery School there is a Pop-up Pizzeria. They cook wood-fired pizzas with seasonal toppings grown and produced on their Organic farm and local area.
Ballycotton is a famous fishing village situated approximately 40km (25 miles) east of Cork City. The village is set on a rocky-ledge overlooking Ballycotton Bay.
There are lots of lovely coves and beaches within a 15 minute drive of Ballymaloe, these vary from small rocky inlets that are perfect for a picnic and rock pooling to larger sandy beaches which are lovely for walking and building sandcastles on.
We are about a 40 minute drive from Cork city which has good shopping, restaurants, art galleries, music, theatre and night life.
Farmers' Markets have made a real come back in the past 10 - 15 years and we are lucky to have a few very good ones close by.
With the opportunity to walk amongst Cheetah’s, Flamingoes, Lemurs, Kangaroos and many more exotic animals, a visit to Fota Wildlife Park makes is a fabulous day out for both children and animal lovers.
21km from Ballymaloe House
There is a choice of excellent golf courses nearby, please ask one of our receptionist if you need help to make a booking: Castlemartyr Resort and Fota Island Resort being the closest.
The historic market town of Midleton is less than 15 minutes from Ballymaloe House and despite being on one of Ireland's busiest roads, the area in and around Midleton is one of the best kept secrets on the island of Ireland. Visit the Tourist Office at the gate of the Old Jameson Distillery (the home of Jameson Whiskey) for information of all the fabulous local attractions to see and do whilst staying in the area.
Other Towns of Interest that are near Ballymaloe House include: Cobh, Midleton, Kinsale & Youghal
The English Market in Cork City is a real treasure. Discretely tucked away behind several unassuming entrances is a bustling, undercover market with butchers, fishmongers, artisan bakers, chocolatiers, cheese stalls, olive stalls and many more.
At our Midleton Distillery, come face-to-face with the world's largest pot still on our DistilleryExperience tour, enjoy a premium whiskey tasting or draw and taste whiskey straight from a cask straight in our live Maturation Warehouse.
11km from Ballymaloe House
If you are interested in Irish music we can help you to find a good session during your stay.