Home & away travel page ballyvolane house hidden ireland dec 9th 2013 all titles

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Home & Away with Robert Walshe

www.robertwalshe.com

Weekend Hotspot – Ballyvolane House www.hiddenireland.com/ ballyvolanehouse-cork

BUILT in Georgian style in 1728 for a retired lord chief justice of Ireland, Ballyvolane House was modified over 100 years later with an Italianate design. In 1730, the elderly tenants, Andrew St Leger and his wife, were murdered by their butler and maid for their valuables, which were supposedly buried in the shrubbery somewhere on the property as the story goes. So all in all this

■ Dining at Ballyvolane House

stately pile exudes history & style. There have been three owners and currently four generations of the Green family living here. Justin took over the running of Ballyvolane with wife Jenny from his father in 2004 after extensive hospitality experience in Britain and Asia where they both met. The house is shabby chic with six rooms that all have high ceilings and overlook the gardens or the park land. They all have their own bathrooms, many with antique cast iron baths. One of the baths with a rich wood finish is supposedly the biggest in the country! There are an-

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tique radios in all bedrooms, which suit the house style, but also TVs & Wi-Fi mindful of more modern times. In the bedrooms there are little touches like homemade biscuits and cordials to give it a more homely touch. Ballyvolane the quintessential Irish country retreat has the grounds to go with it. Walking through the formal, walled and woodland gardens and lingering beneath ancient beech and oak trees is a magical experience even in the rain! Guests can also enjoy delicious homecooking in the formal dining room or afternoon tea by the open turf fires. All ingredients are grown in Ballyvolane’s own walled garden, reared on the farm or sourced from local producers. There’s an excellent wine list and breakfast is served until midday which is ideal for lazy risers! The nearby Blackwater Valley is worth exploring as are Fermoy, Youghal & my favourite heritage town of Lismore. They have a heritage centre there and some beautiful walks, as well as a castle with public gardens which are

stunning. Fota House and Blarney Castle are nearby while Kinsale and Cork City are also within easy reach. If you’re staying over the weekend visit the nearby farmers mar- ■ Ballyvolane Ho ket & the Jameson use Heritage Centre in Midleton. On the coast there is sea fishing, beaches something that shows them and wonderful coastal walks at their very best, making and elsewhere there is horse them perfect for New Year racing at Mallow and numer- house parties and Christous golf courses within an mas celebrations of all kinds hour’s drive. A Hidden Ire- including exclusive hire for land Christmas is the easi- families. The Green family at est and most enjoyable way Ballyvolane will also consider to capture some “Downton requests for private weddings Abbey” style big house magic where you are guaranteed a this festive season. The col- fairytale setting in the heart of lective offer an eclectic mix of East Cork. They recently built 35 handsome homes where a vintage marquee which is a Christmas and New Year attached to an old stone barn celebration is a continuation in the farmyard overlooking of a distinctive and luxurious the gardens. They cleverly Irish history. Most Hidden knocked two doorways into Ireland houses were built for the barn which is where the entertaining on a grand scale, bar is keeping all the old

walls exposed and then there’s another room for dancing. Rates at Ballyvolane House are available from: €95 for deluxe or €105 pps for superior. A single supplement of €125 applies and dinner is €55 pp on request. www.hiddenireland.com/ballyvolanehouse-cork Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www. robertwalshe.com


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