Drawing up at wisteria-clad Ballymaloe House you know you've arrived somewhere special. The Allen family has been running this superb hotel and restaurant in the old family home for decades. Rooms are individually decorated with period furnishings and breakfast goodies include bread from their own bakery, eggs from the farm and honey from their own hives. The house is 12km southeast of Midleton, off the R629.
Myrtle Allen (1924–2018) was legend in her own lifetime, acclaimed internationally for her near single-handed creation of fine Irish cooking. The menu at Ballymaloe House's celebrated restaurant (three-course lunch €45, five-course dinner €80, open 1pm to 2pm and 7pm to 9.30pm) changes daily to reflect the availability of produce from its own farms and other local sources. The hotel also runs wine and gardening weekends.
Nonresidents can get a taste of local produce at the Ballymaloe Cafe, next door to the hotel.
