A Truly Magical House
Welcome to Ballyvolane House, a beautiful historic Irish country house tucked away in the rolling countryside of North Cork, in the heart of the Munster Blackwater Valley.
Owned and run by Justin and Jenny Green, Ballyvolane is a place of extraordinary warmth, character and charm, where genuine Irish hospitality, delicious food, glorious gardens and wonderfully comfortable accommodation come together.
Whether you’re escaping for a relaxing country house stay, gathering friends and family for a private celebration, enjoying a few nights glamping beneath the stars, or bringing a group together for a residential retreat, Ballyvolane offers something rather special.
Come and make yourself at home.
Stay in an Authentic Irish Country House
Ballyvolane is not quite a hotel, nor a conventional guesthouse. Ballyvolane House is classified by Failte Ireland as an historic house. It’s an elegant, lived-in Georgian family home where comfort, informality and personal hospitality are at the heart of everything we do.
With just six individually furnished bedrooms, magnificent reception rooms, roaring log fires and the sort of beds you never want to leave, it’s the perfect place to escape the everyday.
Spend your days exploring the estate, curl up with a book beside the fire, enjoy a Bertha’s Revenge Gin & Tonic before dinner and settle in for an evening of delicious seasonal food.
There’s no need to stand on ceremony here. Simply relax and enjoy being looked after.
Glorious Gardens, Woodlands & Wildlife
The gardens and grounds are the heart and soul of Ballyvolane.
Set within 80 acres of beautiful North Cork countryside, the estate is a wonderful mixture of formal gardens, magnificent mature trees, walled gardens, woodland, lakes, wildflower meadows and wildlife-rich habitats.
Lovingly restored and developed over more than sixty years by the late Jeremy Green, the gardens are his enduring legacy and a testament to his lifelong passion for plants, trees, nature and the landscape.
Every season brings something different, from carpets of bluebells and vibrant spring flowers to long summer evenings, autumn colours and the quiet beauty of winter.
Ballyvolane is a place to reconnect with nature, wander without purpose and discover the extraordinary beauty of the natural world.
Private Residential Retreats & Corporate Gatherings
Ballyvolane House is an ideal setting for private residential retreats - small, immersive gatherings where people can step away from everyday life, stay together and properly connect. We welcome retreat organisers, facilitators, leadership teams and specialist hosts looking for somewhere private, characterful and fully looked after, with the house, gardens, woodland, barns, food and hospitality all at their disposal. We also host corporate off-sites, strategy sessions, workshops and private business gatherings for teams looking for something more personal than a conventional hotel or conference venue.
Tucked away in the East Cork countryside, yet only around 30 minutes from Cork city, Ballyvolane offers complete privacy and exclusive use, giving groups the space to think, talk, regroup and recharge at their own pace.
Private House Stays & Special Celebrations
Imagine having an entire Irish country house to yourselves, surrounded by beautiful gardens and countryside, with delicious meals prepared and everything taken care of.
Ballyvolane is available for exclusive private hire, making it a wonderfully intimate setting for family gatherings, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and holidays with friends.
Enjoy leisurely breakfasts, long lunches, candlelit dinners, lawn games, woodland walks and evenings beside the fire.
With the freedom of a private home and the comfort of being looked after, it’s a lovely way to spend precious time together.
Delicious Food & Drink
Food has always been central to life at Ballyvolane.
Our cooking is rooted in the traditions of the Irish country house kitchen, celebrating the seasons, our walled-garden and the wonderful produce of the surrounding countryside.
We work closely with local farmers, growers, fishermen and artisan producers to create generous, uncomplicated food that tastes of its origins.
From hearty breakfasts and relaxed lunches to memorable dinners around the dining table, eating well is one of the great pleasures of staying at Ballyvolane.
And of course, there’s always time for a Bertha’s Revenge Gin & Tonic, which was born here at Ballyvolane.
Glamping in the Great Outdoors
For those who love the outdoors but appreciate a few creature comforts, glamping at Ballyvolane offers a wonderfully different way to experience the estate.
Nestled among the gardens and woodland, our cosy glamping arks and colourful bell tents combine the pleasures of sleeping close to nature with comfortable beds, warm hospitality and a little bit of country house magic.
Perfect for couples, families and friends, glamping is available from May to September.
Awards, Accolades & Kind Words
Over the years, Ballyvolane has been fortunate to receive numerous awards and accolades, but what matters most to us is that our guests leave happy, relaxed and looking forward to returning.
As a family-run country house, we take enormous pleasure in welcoming guests from around the world and sharing this very special corner of Ireland.
Simply the Best
We stayed for 3 nights to celebrate my wife’s birthday. From the moment we drove up the driveway until we reluctantly left, we enjoyed every minute. We were warmly welcomed by Debbie who showed us around. Our room was old fashioned elegance with wonderful views over the gardens. The al fresco breakfast was superb as were our evening meals; everything was fresh and delicious. Bertha’s Revenge Gin was beautiful; you must not leave without a bottle (or two). A huge thank you to everyone who made our visit so special, and a special mention to Bernie, who was simply delightful. We can’t wait to return.
— Paul Rey, UK