Ballymaloe House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballymaloe House |
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| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1964 |
| Head chef | Jason Fahey and Gillian Hegarty |
| Food type | European |
| Rating |  Michelin Guide (1975-1980) |
| Street address | Shanagarry |
| City | Midleton |
| State | County Cork |
| Country | Ireland |
| Website | http://www.ballymaloe.ie |
Ballymaloe House (pronounced ba-lee-ma-LOO) is a famous place in Shanagarry, County Cork, Ireland. It's known for its amazing food and also has a hotel. The main restaurant part is called The Yeats Room.
This special restaurant has won many awards over the years. It even earned a Michelin star for several years, from 1975 to 1980. A Michelin star is like a gold medal for restaurants, showing they have really excellent food!
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What Kind of Food Does Ballymaloe House Serve?
The kitchen at Ballymaloe House focuses on Modern Irish food. This means they take traditional Irish ingredients and recipes and give them a fresh, new twist. They often use fresh produce from their own gardens.
How Ballymaloe House Started
The story of Ballymaloe House began in 1964. The Allen family bought the Ballymaloe estate. They decided to turn the old dining room into a restaurant, which they named The Yeats Room.
Just a few years later, in 1967, they changed some rooms into hotel rooms. This was so guests who loved the food could stay overnight. Later on, the famous Ballymaloe Cookery School was also created. It teaches people how to cook amazing meals.
Who Are the Chefs?
When Ballymaloe House first won its Michelin star, Myrtle Allen was the head chef. She was a very talented cook!
Today, the kitchen is led by two head chefs. Jason Fahey has been a head chef since at least 2008. Around 2011, Gillian Hegarty joined him in this important role. Together, they continue the tradition of great food at Ballymaloe House.
The History of the House Itself
The building where Ballymaloe House stands has a long and interesting past. The oldest parts of the house date back to an old Anglo-Norman castle. This castle was built around the year 1450! It was owned by powerful families like the FitzGeralds.
Over many years, parts of the castle were taken down and rebuilt. Most of the building you see today was finished in 1820. Some smaller updates were made in 1990 and 2000 to keep the house looking great.
