Hotels this autumn via press release
IRISH MYTHS LEGENDS, GHOSTS AND GHOULS AT THE MANOR HOUSE
-CAHERNANE HOUSE HOTEL, KILLARNEY LAUNCHES ITS HALLOWEEN 2022 PACKAGE-
As part of its residential Halloween package, the historic Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry will once again host a night of storytelling this Halloween with Eddie Lenihan, one of the few traditional seanchaí’s still working in Ireland. Eddie was a great hit with guests last Halloween and has been invited back to Cahernane this year to tell the residents ancient stories about the myths and legends of Irish folklore.
Irish fairy stories form a prominent part of his huge repertoire, and he has collected these stories from old people all around Ireland who have had encounters with fairies or mythical creatures. He has also collected historical tales and stories of notable figures such as the banshee, demon stories, accounts of saints, of monsters, ogres, giants, and ghosts. Some of the stories are not for the faint hearted and were curated from his years of research and by walking the tracks and trails of forgotten Ireland where solitary hawthorn bushes mark the sacred meeting places of the fairies.
An interesting character, and an enthralling storyteller, Eddie has captured the imagination of audiences from Dublin to Dubai. The story telling evening is for residents only and is part of a two-night Halloween Break which includes other ‘not so scary’ activities for children!
The Halloween package at Cahernane is available from Monday 31st of October to Tuesday, 1st of November and is priced from €250 per adult sharing for bed and breakfast for two nights. It also includes dinner for the family on one evening, a kid’s movie and popcorn and storytelling with Eddie Lenihan in the Drawing Room. The Halloween package is suitable for adults and families.
On arrival to Cahernane guests will find treats and sweets in their rooms for the children and that night children can enjoy a family Halloween movie with popcorn. At 6.00 pm there will be a guided tour of the house, Eddie Lenihan’s stories will be begin on Halloween night at 9.30pm, after dinner.
The following morning, All Souls Day, Tuesday, November 1st, guests will meet at Killegy Graveyard to see where the Herbert’s of Cahernane House and Muckross were buried and will hear some more interesting historical stories about the local area.
Located just outside the centre of the thriving town of Killarney, the 48-bedroom Cahernane House Hotel is still far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Kerry’s major urban centre to offer a secluded and tranquil getaway. It is located on 6.4 acres of verdant grounds and is adjacent to the Killarney Lakes and Killarney National Park.
There are great places to explore in the area including Muckross House and Ross Castle on the shore of Lough Leane. The castle was built by O’Donoghue Mór in the 15th century and is believed to be one of Ireland’s most haunted castles. It is said that every seven years O’Donoghue himself rises from the lake and circles the shore on a splendid white horse. The legend goes that those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the spectre will have good fortune for the rest of their lives!
Cahernane House Hotel was originally built in 1877 as a family residence for Henry Herbert at a cost of £5,992. The original plans were to build a mansion three times the size of what it is presently, but the next generation of the Herbert family fell on hard times and let the property out as a hotel. As a result, the property feels and looks more like a grand, country, private residence rather than a hotel.
Reminiscent of times gone by, the house never lost its Victorian charm despite the changeover of owner’s numerous times throughout its history. It too has great history and many people have reported seeing the ghost of Gwendolyn Herbert, the daughter of the original owner of the house as she makes her way eerily up the grand hand carved oak staircase.
To book The Halloween package at Cahernane House Hotel or for more information please see www.cahernane.com or call +353 64 663 1895.
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TRIGON HOTEL GROUP ACCREDITED AS GREAT PLACE TO WORK
Cork International Hotel and the Metropole Hotel have been certified as a Great Place To Work
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| Celebrating at the Cork International Hotel are Deirdre Staples, Talent Learning & Development Specialist, Trigon Hotels; Cattleya McCarthy, Group HR Administrator, Trigon Hotels; and Eoghan Murphy, General Manager, Cork International Hotel. Pic: Brian Lougheed. |
Trigon Hotel Group, which includes the Cork International Hotel and the Metropole Hotel, are proud to be certified by ‘Great Place To Work’, which is accredited through confidential team member feedback. This is the first time the hotel group has applied to gain accreditation as a Great Place To Work.
Over 7,000 organisations are surveyed each year by Great Place To Work, where companies who meet the threshold will then be in consideration for a range of recognition opportunities. More than 140 team members from the Trigon Hotel Group completed a Trust Index Employee Experience Survey that measures the extent to which team members consider their workplace as a ‘great place to work’.
Trigon Hotels are committed to creating a positive work environment and great workplace culture for its team members. To be certified as a Great Place To Work is a reflection of how the hotel group values their team, while also increasing the appeal to work within the hospitality industry.
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| Celebrating at the Metropole Hotel are Aaron Mansworth, Managing Director, Trigon Hotels and Kathleen Linehan, Strategic Director of Human Resources, Trigon Hotels. Pic: Brian Lougheed. |
Trigon Hotel Group understands the importance of supporting their team members through their careers, and outside of the workplace in order to achieve a healthy work/life balance. Part of the training and guidance they offer includes a series of annual talks in their DataBites sessions from inspirational and motivational speakers from all around the world, which is open to all team members. This included Pendulum Summit speaker Marie Gleeson and two-time TED talk speaker, Deiric McCann. Trigon Hotels also launched its new TMDP programme which includes mentorship sessions with the Executive team and supports learning and development at all levels through its ‘Aspire Program’.
Team appreciation days also do not go amiss with the Trigon Hotel Group. They hold their own annual team awards, a long service award to celebrate the hard work and dedication of their team members, and even their very own ‘Trigon Celebrates Days’ where team members relax and enjoy a treat from the hotel. The Trigon team goes above and beyond for their team, which is recognised by the Great Place to Work accreditation. CSR is also very important to the team members at Trigon Hotels, this year Managing Director Aaron Mansworth gave each team member a one paid charity day, encouraging all team members to give time to their charity of choice Cope Foundation, or to one close to their hearts.
Managing Director of Trigon Hotels, Aaron Mansworth, said, “Our people are our greatest assets, our work is never done when it comes to creating a workplace that enables our people to do their best work in an environment that supports them. We are delighted in being recognised as a Great Place to Work, it required a lot of effort and collaboration from our team, the results from the survey have given us very clear direction on where we excel as employers and where we can improve going forward”.
Kathleen Linehan, Trigon Hotels’ Strategic Director of HR said “We are firm believers in annual employee surveys and have seen that follow up on surveys have made a very positive impact on engagement and business performance. Our people strategy links directly with our business strategy, the Great Place to Work survey has reinforced our place within the company and has provided key drivers for us going forward. I am delighted to celebrate this certification with them.”
The hard work and dedication from all of the teams at Cork International Hotel and the Metropole Hotel has paid off impressively, as all at the Trigon Group look forward to continuing their journey with their valued team members.
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DOWN SYNDROME CENTRE CORK RECOGNISED
WITH Cork International Hotel COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD
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Gerald McCarthy (Awards & Gifts, Co-Sponsor) presenting Lisa Donovan: Manager, Down Syndrome Centre, Forge House, Cork with the Community Spirit Award. Pictured with Eoghan Murphy: General Manager, Cork International Hotel (Sponsor), alongside Nicola Radley: Senior Executive Officer, Cork County Council, next to Christina Elliott & her daughter Kerrie & Katie Desmond (wife of Cian Desmond, Chairperson of the Board of Management) with her children Luke, Adam & Freya Desmond. Pic: Siobhan Russell
The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Awards are sponsored by The Carrigdhoun Newspaper and Gerald McCarthy Giftware. The judging panel for the Community Spirit Awards are made up of a mixture of representatives from the public and private sector within the community. The judging panel for this award was: - Carmel Lonergan Group Director of Operations, Trigon Hotels
- Nicola Radley Senior Executive Officer, Municipal District Operations & Rural Development at Cork County Council
- Aisling Killilea Bank of Ireland Manager Carrigaline and Douglas
- Vincent O'Donovan Carrigdhoun
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Nominations are now open for next month's awards at: https://www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com/community-spirit-awards/ .
Roses to get ‘Taste of Kildare’ with food from ‘Farm to Fork’ at Cliff at Lyons and a delectable formal dinner at Barberstown Castle. |
Áine Mangan (CEO, Into Kildare) and, left, Kildare Rose Aisleigh Byrne |
ROSE OF TRALEE DELEGATION TO VISIT KILDARE
An International Rose of Tralee Festival delegation of thirty-three Roses, will be visiting County Kildare on the 15th of August. The schedule and itinerary for the Roses has been arranged by Into Kildare, the Tourism Body for County Kildare and will be focused on the north of the county. The Roses will be staying in Barberstown Castle where they will also enjoy a myriad of activities including a black-tie gala dinner.
Aine Mangan, CEO of Into Kildare said, “We are very much looking forward to the visit of the Roses to County Kildare and are delighted to work in partnership with Barberstown Castle. The Roses tour around North Kildare will shine a spotlight on all the great things to see and do in the county. The Rose of Tralee Festival is watched on television all around the world and is a great showcase for Ireland and all it has to offer. This visit to Kildare is very important and provides us with a great opportunity to promote tourism to the region on a global stage, via the media.”
The public are being encouraged to go out to meet the Roses when they visit north Kildare on the 15th of August. Just some of the places they will visit include the village of Ardclough, Cliff at Lyons Estate, Leixlip Castle, the home place of Arthur Guinness in Celbridge, Carton House and The K Club. The Roses will enjoy some fun activities in each of these locations including, axe throwing in Carton House and golf at The K Club. They will also experience a mini ‘Taste of Kildare’ experience with food from ‘Farm to Fork’ at Cliff at Lyons and a delectable formal dinner at Barberstown Castle.
For more details visit www.intokildare.ie
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"LUXURY TO A TEA" AT LYRATH ESTATE
The five-star, Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny has created a glamorous and truly opulent residential package for guests to enjoy this August. The ‘Luxury to a Tea’ offer
(from €280 per person sharing) includes two nights bed and breakfast for two guests and a delectable Afternoon Tea with a glass of champagne in the newly renovated, Lady Charlotte’s Drawing Room.
Located in the original Manor House of Lyrath Estate, the drawing room is named after Lady Charlotte Wheeler-Cuffe, a famous botanical artist, plant collector, gardener, and former resident of Lyrath. The elegant drawing room has feature wallpaper depicting lush jungle scenes and vibrant flowers in a nod to Lady Charlotte’s botanical discoveries and collections. Deep sofas, elegant high-backed chairs and an interesting art collection all add to the eclectic feel of this room.
Afternoon Tea here is an elegant affair, dainty savoury and sweet treats are served on fine afternoon tea stands. Sip on carefully selected loose leaf tea from delicate bone china cups, choose your own botanical inspired tea from the elegant tea caddy or opt for a glass of bubbles!
An impressive Irish resort, Lyrath Estate is located just five minutes from the heart of Kilkenny city and is set on over 170 acres of mature parkland. The estate enjoys a peaceful, rural setting yet is in easy reach of the famous medieval city with its many shops, historic castle, and cultural attractions.
The original Manor House at Lyrath Estate is the most important surviving country house designed by John McCurdy. It was reconstructed by Sir Charles Wheeler- Cuffe in the 17th century to appease his prospective father-in-law, Lord Stuart de Decies who felt that it was not grand enough for his daughter, Pauline and would not permit her to marry Wheeler Cuffe until the house was deemed impressive enough. The manor has since been sympathetically restored to its former glory and is home to a most impressive collection of fine antiques and contemporary Irish art. Old world charm sits in perfect harmony with the slick hotel wing and the link with the old and new is both stylish and tasteful.
Facilities include a 17-metre swimming pool, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and fitness centre. There is also a 22-seater private cinema, falconry centre, playground, outdoor covered and heated BBQ area, expansive conference centre, several meeting rooms and a walled garden. The Oasis Spa incorporates several treatment rooms, offering face and body treatments for both men and women. The thermal suite in the spa includes several heating and cooling experiences including a stunning outdoor hydrotherapy pool which looks out on the mature, private gardens.
Apart from Lady Charlotte’s Drawing Room, there are several dining outlets on the estate including the main hotel restaurant, Yew Restaurant which serves modern Irish cuisine, The Grill and Bar and Tupper’s Bar, a traditional pub. There is also a private wine cellar, located via a secret stairwell underneath the main hotel restaurant which is a wonderful space to enjoy a wine tasting experience or post dinner drink.
The ‘Luxury to a Tea’ offer starts from €280 per person sharing, based on two people sharing accommodation. This offer includes two nights bed and breakfast and afternoon tea on one day of your choice with a glass of champagne per person. To book your great five-star Kilkenny Escape now log on to www.lyrath.com or call (056) 7760088.
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BALLYMALOE HOUSE OFFERS THE ULTIMATE EAST CORK ESCAPISM THIS SUMMER
Tailor-made packages are available at the luxurious country house estate
Ballymaloe House, widely considered the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine, provides the ultimate escape for holiday makers this summer. The lush grounds and incredible dining experiences can be enjoyed on their own, or as a gateway to myriad tourism experiences in East Cork.
The estate, set on 300 acres of country gardens and rich farmland, is rife for exploration, after you’ve had your tea and cake on arrival that is. The blissful relaxation only starts there, with cocktails in the drawing room, five course menus of outstanding local food, and the luxury of an elegant bedroom all stretching ahead.
A suite of tailor-made packages are available at Ballymaloe House, designed with Romancers and Escaping Parents in mind. Romancers can avail of all the delights of the house, enjoy a lazy breakfast, then immerse themselves in some of the fantastic nearby attractions. The ever popular Titanic Experience in Cobh is conveniently close, as is the Ballycotton Lighthouse where you take a boat across for a guided tour.
Escaping parents can utterly relax and unwind at the stunning grounds of Ballymaloe, and take advantage of local attractions that only adults can enjoy. What says escapism more than a tasting tour of the Ballymaloe Wine Cellar, a game of tennis, or a guilt-free potter around the English Market in Cork City?
Laura Behan, General Manager of Ballymaloe House says the Ballymaloe picnic offerings have become a huge hit with holiday makers: “You will be treated to a delicious selection of fresh seasonal produce straight from the walled garden and freshly baked and prepared by the Ballymaloe kitchen, with seasonally flavoured Kefir water all beautifully packaged in an easily transportable picnic basket.”
The incredible “Farm to Fork” story of Ballymaloe House dates back to 1848 when Myrtle and Ivan Allen bought the property. Myrtle began collecting cookbooks, swapping recipes and taught herself to cook using her husband’s farm produce. In 1964 she opened the family dining room as The Yeats Room, and the rest is history. Myrtle passed away peacefully in 2018 and has left a legacy that is second to none in terms of Irish cuisine and hospitality.
Ballymaloe House is still owned by the Allen family and Myrtle’s daughter offers residents complimentary house and family history tours. Ballymaloe House continues to offer the very best of seasonal locally sourced food and retains its reputation as an original Irish country house experience.
For more on the estate and the various holiday packages available, visit the Ballymaloe House website.
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CAHERNANE HOUSE HOTEL JOINS THE PRESTIGIOUS SMALL LUXURY HOTELS OF THE WORLD
The stunning, Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry (Ireland) has joined the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), becoming the latest property to join the exclusive collection of hotels.
Attention to detail, world class service and warm, classic Irish hospitality are just some of the ingredients that make Cahernane House Hotel a worthy member of SLH. Built in 1877, Cahernane House Hotel has been extensively renovated by the owners, PREM Group who have spent over €7.8 million on the property. There are 12 grand bedrooms in the original Manor House, 28 in the Garden Wing and the Coach House, once home to the horses and carriages of the Herbert family who built the house is now the setting for 8 new luxurious bedrooms. The Coach House Bedrooms have all been decorated in vibrant colours and the soft furnishings and wallpapers have been inspired by the famous flora and fauna of County Kerry. Cahernane House Hotel is well known for its fantastic food which is created by the dedicated culinary team. The Cellar Bar serves casual food daily while fine dining is offered in the Herbert Restaurant.
SLH is a prestigious list of boutique, independently owned hotels from across the globe and has over 520 properties covering 90 countries in its exclusive membership. The portfolio prides itself in uniting a diverse, hand-picked selection of independently spirited hotels in the best locations, which boast the most beautiful designs and personalised service for luxury travellers.
“We are delighted to join such a premier portfolio of hotels and resorts. SLH represents the ‘best of the best’ hotels and properties in the world, and we are thrilled that our property has been selected to join this elite collection,” said Emer Corridan, General Manager at Cahernane House Hotel. “We are looking forward to working with SLH and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for recognising our commitment to the highest levels of service and guest experience”.
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| The Fuller Room |
Daniel Luddington, VP of Development, Small Luxury Hotels of the World said: We’re thrilled to be adding such a gem of a hotel to our exclusive portfolio. Cahernane House Hotel is a simply beautiful hotel restored to perfection and well located to explore the delights of Killarney. It captures the spirit of its destination and oozes so much history, together with service that goes above and beyond, embodying all that an SLH hotel should be.
Cahernane House Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry is the perfect place to get away from it all this summer. Removed from the main throughfare of Killarney and set on its own private estate adjacent to Killarney National Park, the house presents plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy a relaxing and creative getaway. The Muckross Road, where Cahernane House is located is often referred to as ‘The gateway to the Ring of Kerry’, renowned for its spectacular scenery and ancient history.
For more information or to book a stay at Cahernane House Hotel see www.cahernane.com
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ANDREW RETURNS HOME TO TAKE UP THE HELM AT THE 5-STAR LYRATH ESTATE
A seasoned hospitality professional, Andrew Phelan (left) has been appointed General Manager at the 5-Star Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny. Andrew has enjoyed a stellar career of more than thirty years and has held senior positions in some of Europe’s finest hotels and resorts including Mount Juliet, the Old Course St Andrews and Castlemartyr Resort. He now joins the Xavier McAuliffe owned, Lyrath Estate from the world-famous Ashford Castle Estate, Cong, Co. Mayo.
Speaking about his new appointment Andrew Phelan said, “I am delighted to be returning to Kilkenny, my hometown at such an exciting time for Lyrath Estate. Following Xavier McAuliffe’s very significant investment in refurbishment and new product during the pandemic, the estate is now primed for a renewed focus on the guest experience. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some truly super teams and believe that when a hotel becomes a great place to work it tends to follow that it’s also a great place to stay. Great hospitality is the essence of a memorable guest experience and we’re excited to deliver that at the wonderful Lyrath Estate”.
Xavier McAuliffe said, “we are looking forward to working with Andrew at Lyrath Estate, he has all the skills and experience we need to continue to offer the highest levels of service to our guests. We pride ourselves in offering classic Irish hospitality and look forward to not just meeting our guest’s expectations but to exceed them. We have made significant investments in the property over the last two years and have completely renovated all the bedrooms, built a brand-new bedroom block and created a luxurious drawing room for afternoon tea. All these additions are part of our ambitious capital programme which will continue over the next few months. I wish Andrew well and know he will be a great inspiration to our hard-working team.”
For further information on Lyrath Estate or to make a booking see www.lyrath.com or call (056) 7760088.
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PREMIER SUITES SECURE A NEW LOCATION IN EDINBURGH
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| PREMIER SUITES PLUS Amsterdam. |
Dublin based international hospitality operator PREM Group* has just announced that it has acquired a new location in Edinburgh to add to its PREMIER SUITES portfolio. The property, currently known as ‘Fountain Court’ will now become the 16th ‘PREMIER SUITES’ location for the PREM Group.In December 2021, PREM Group secured a major investment from funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC (“Fortress”). This is the first acquisition by the group following the Fortress investment. The property is in a prime location, just a five-minute walk from the burgeoning Haymarket district and a twenty-minute walk to Princes Street. The location is very attractive for both corporate and leisure guests who will find all the best retail, hospitality, and cultural experiences on their doorstep.
PREM Group envisage a complete renovation and transformation of the property to the highest possible ESG standards. The very latest in green technology will be incorporated into the building. The first phase of the renovation should be completed by January 2023. Following the renovation, the property will join the group’s premium PREMIER SUITES portfolio, comprising 1,300 rooms across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.
PREMIER SUITES PLUS properties include one, two, or three-bedroom units and all come with a fully fitted kitchen, living room, bedroom and ensuite bathrooms. The accommodation is perfectly suited to corporate guests who may be relocating for a medium to long term business contract or for leisure guests who are travelling with children and would like to have a city base with all the conveniences of home.
Each of the fully equipped kitchens include a combi-oven, microwave, hob, fridge, freezer, laundry facilities and coffee machine. Apartments also include a contemporary living area with a flat screen TV and a luxury hotel bed. A housekeeping service is offered once a week while an out of hours, on call service is provided to ensure security is offered.
Jim Murphy, CEO of the PREM Group said, “Our PREMIER SUITES PLUS properties offer medium and long term guests the opportunity to avail of all of the conveniences and luxuries of a hotel but with the conveniences of home. We are excited to add Edinburgh to our growing portfolio of PREMIER SUITES properties and are committed to growing and strengthening the PREMIER SUITES brand in Europe. We are also very conscious of our carbon footprint and have engaged with various environmental advisors and specialists to ensure the renovation is in line with the highest possible international Environmental and Social Governance policies.”
* PREM Group owned properties include Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort Wicklow, Osprey Hotel Naas, Cahernane House Hotel Killarney, Hoban Hotel Kilkenny, Leopold Hotel Sheffield and PREMIER SUITES Dublin Leeson Street.
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REVAMPED ROOMS AT BALLYMALOE HOUSE TO ENCOURAGE GUESTS TO DISCONNECT THIS SUMMER
Ballymaloe House in East Cork has just completed a major investment by upgrading many of their guestrooms. The hotel, which is famous for having the original ‘farm to fork’ dining experience, is encouraging guests to disconnect from the world this Autumn/Winter. They have just completed a series of room upgrades which have transformed many of their guest bedrooms and suites.
One of the rooms which has undergone a transformation is “The Green Drawing Room” which was formerly Myrtle Allen’s office, and which is strategically positioned with an ideal view of the front door. In the room, the antique green flock wallpaper, which dates circa 1960 has been lovingly restored by inhouse fine artist Gentian Lulani.
The Mallard, which is a Classic Garden Room and Kingfisher, Heritage Room category, are also two new rooms at the top of the house created from the development of The Allen Flat - where Myrtle and Ivan Allen used to live. These rooms can be individually booked but also make a fabulous family suit including a common area housing Myrtle’s impressive bookcase of cookbooks dating back to the 1940s.
Superior rooms downstairs in the house have their own patio doors and for summer 2022 there will be a basket with rug, lantern, and wine and cheese menu in each of these five rooms for summer evening to be enjoyed privately looking over the back garden and Ballymaloe pond.
The hotel just launched its ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’; packages. They also recently introduced their Conservatory Lunches which are light lunches available to residents and non-residents alike in their beautiful conservatory from 1pm to 3pm daily.
General Manager at Ballymaloe House, Laura Behan said: “Ballymaloe House is known internationally as the birthplace of modern Irish Cuisine due to our famous visionary founder Myrtle Allen. Myrtle’s inspiring ethos for serving seasonal, homegrown and locally sourced produce since opening her restaurant in 1964, earned her global recognition and credit for a philosophy that has since been widely adopted by modern chefs. It also earned her Ireland’s first female chef’s Michelin star, in 1975.”
Ballymaloe House is in beautiful East Cork on 300 acres of farmland and country house gardens. It is still owned by the Allen family and Myrtle’s daughter offers residents complimentary house and family history tours. Ballymaloe House continues to offer the very best of Irish hospitality and seasonal locally sourced food and retains its reputation as an original Irish country house experience.
Ballymaloe House is conveniently located only 35 minutes from Cork city and only 2.5 hours from Dublin. They also have an outdoor heated swimming pool, sandpit by the front terrace, slide, tarmac tennis court, working farm to visit, TV room and Children’s treasure hunt around the gardens and farm.
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MAKING A SPLASH AT BALLYMALOE HOUSE THIS SUMMER
OUTDOOR HEATED POOL REOPENS
Ballymaloe House has reopened its outdoor heated pool for its guests this summer. The pool, which is one of the few outdoor pools operating in Ireland, is available all summer for guests to use.
The pool dates back to 1957 when it was dug out for the summer by Ivan Allen. He used a small tractor and scoop and it took him two years to complete. They hit three lines of rock at the deep end but luckily they had a German guest staying with them and helping on the farm and it turned out he was an explosives expert and so with his help they blew up the rock. It is shaped in a kidney shape because when he built it, Mr Allen couldn't swim very well and this shape meant the deep end sides were only ever two swim strokes away.
The pool is heated environmentally via a Biomass Boiler, as is the whole of Ballymaloe House and outhouses.
Tobias, the groundsman at Ballymaloe House spent the last few months getting the pool ready for the summer. He rehomed the many tadpoles to the Ballymaloe pond that had made the pool their home over the colder months. He then carried out an extensive clean of the pool before filling it for the season ahead.
Laura Behan, General Manager at Ballymaloe House said: “We are delighted to have our pool back open for the summer. Hopefully we can look forward to some fantastic weather this summer and our guests can enjoy lazy days lounging by the pool.”
The outdoor, heated, swimming pool on the grounds of Ballymaloe House is filled each year 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. It has a large shallow end and a separate paddling pool making it ideal for children, however, it is possible to do lengths if exercise is what you are after. It is free for residents to use. The deep end is two metres deep but only two strokes to the side. The rest is shallow and therefore safe for kids.
Ballymaloe House is also now open for ‘Conservatory Lunches’ with an a la carte light menu being served from Monday to Saturday from 1pm to 2.30pm.
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THE LITTLE EXPLORERS’ FAMILY SUMMER STAY EXPERIENCE
AT THE LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL, GATEWAY CITY TO THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY
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| Family room at The Strand |
2-night break from € 219 per adult for a family of four
Offering exceptional value for money and a quality family stay experience, the 4* Limerick Strand Hotel Little Explorers’ package is the perfect choice for those looking for a fun summer break.
This two-night package offers exclusive discounts at some of Limerick City and the Wild Atlantic Way visitor attractions, award-winning breakfast both mornings for all the family including the popular “Pancake Station”, plus children under 12 years dine for FREE! (Complimentary dish with every adult main course purchased). Children will also receive a welcome "Little Explorers" pack on arrival. For the grown-ups there’s 15% off in the neighbouring Niall Colgan Hairdressing and 10% off Namaste Skin Clinic & Urban Day Spa. Also included is a simple family take-out picnic lunch for all to enjoy on an outing day of choice. Residents can enjoy complimentary access to Energize Health Centre, including a 20-metre swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi and enjoy a late check out on departure day so you can take a final splash before you head home. The two-night experience costs from €219 per adult sharing including family accommodation, breakfast daily, welcome pack and take-out picnic.
Limerick is the perfect base to explore the beauty of the region, plus the hotel is beautifully perched overlooking the majestic River Shannon, blessed with superb facilities, attentive staff and award winning food, making it the perfect place for an urban escape or an ideal base for exploring the incredible surrounds of the Wild Atlantic Way. The city is packed with historic places of interest, activities, cultural hot spots, and great food stops including the famous Milk Market.
Hotel guests can easily explore Limerick city on foot or hire a bike and take advantage of the green spaces along the Shannon riverbank or go further afield and explore the beautiful wooden trails and parks which include Curraghchase Forest Park, Ballyhoura Mountain Trails, and the Limerick Greenway. Limerick Strand offers a complimentary range of walking, running, and cycling map routes for hotel guests and are happy to provide suggested driving itineraries if guests fancy venturing a little further for a day trip. Also, they are at hand to organise a round of golf or the driving range, should you fancy hitting the greens.
Make the most of the obligatory Irish summer staycation 2022 and benefit by staying in the Gateway City to the wild Atlantic way. With some of the best surfing in the country only an hours’ drive away, and the iconic Cliffs of Moher too, there’s no better base than Limerick Strand for those longing for some Vitamin Sea. Take advantage of a combined city/coastal break enjoying some super Local Attractions Discounts including King John’s Castle The Escape Rooms and The Hunt Museum and for some lovely excursions discounts for Killaloe River Cruises, Scattery Island, Burren Smoke House Aillwee Burren Experience, Caherconnell Stone Fort Lough Gurr Visitor Centre and Bunratty Castle to name just a few, have been organised for Limerick Strand hotel guests.
Dining at the new look River Bar & Restaurant is a must! The team, the setting and above all the food ensure that the AA Rosette, restaurant is one of the best dining venues in the city offering a relaxing bright space overlooking the River Shannon. Al fresco dining is available too, so guests can enjoy the splendid views from the wrap around outdoor terrace from morning till night. The menus demonstrate the hotels’ commitment to support local suppliers and offers incredible value for money, partnering with local farms and dairies where possible to source the finest fresh ingredients which take pride of place in their unique menus. Children’s menus are carefully considered too and offer a selection of firm favourites with a great balance of healthy meals and special treats. The new River Bar & Restaurant is open daily from 7am-10pm serving breakfast, lunch and dinner plus their famous Limerick Afternoon Tea served from 2pm-4pm daily from €26.50 per person and €13 per child. And remember KIDS EAT FREE, with every adult main course purchased!
The new bar offers a superb local and international selection of beers, wines and spirits and with daily cocktail specials, it is a superb venue to sit-back, relax and unwind in sophisticated surroundings without spending a small fortune. Additionally there’s live music on-site every Friday night from 8pm-10pm featuring some superb local entertainers including Sean de Burca, Treble and Bass and David Irwin adding an uplifting atmosphere to this much loved local hotel.
To make a reservation call 061 421800 or hello@strandlimerick.ie for more details please visit www.strandlimerick.ie.
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