News › General

The bluebells are out and the Irish countryside is utterly glorious at this time of year. There is no better time to book a last-minute getaway or take the house on a private rental basis later in the summer. The walled-garden is starting to explode with produce and house chef Chris Jeffery will be here creating lots of tasty dishes using fresh, homegrown and local ingredients. The communal dining is always one of the guest highlights. What are some of travel’s best moments? Often it’s sitting down together, sharing a meal with curious strangers from different parts of the world. These experiences stick with you long after you get home.

We have some exciting and fun events planned in the months ahead…

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You Had Me at Murder

A graphic prop design workshop with an Agatha Christie twist curated and hosted by Annie Atkins.

We are delighted to have Annie Atkins, the renowned graphic designer and prop maker for film at Ballyvolane House from 13th to 15th June for a weekend of creativity, storytelling, and a little dash of murder. Annie known for her work on The Grand Budapest Hotel and has gone on to work with director Wes Anderson on Isle of Dogs and The French Dispatch.

This two-night, three-day experience invites seven participants to the historic Ballyvolane House, where they will explore graphic prop design through the lens of their chosen murderous genre. Hands-on exercises, collaboration with fellow guests, and personalised feedback will equip them to go home and craft a unique design portfolio that will bring their chosen world to life.

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After 10 years of hard work, triumphs, disasters, giggles and tears we are sad to announce that the Ballyvolane House Spirits Company will be winding down at the end of May. We are hopeful that the Bertha’s Revenge brand will continue under new and energetic stewardship, but it will no longer be produced on site at Ballyvolane House, nor will Antony or Justin be at the helm.

We wish to thank all of our distribution partners at home and abroad, along with friends in the retail and hospitality trade for their support since we launched in 2015. A very special thank you is due to the fine, gin-drinking public from Ireland and abroad who engaged with us, flirted with the brand and fell in love with our gin named after a cow from Co. Kerry. From bar stools to kitchen tables, from intimate picnics in wild places to gleeful wedding celebrations, we could never have hoped that Bertha would resonate with so many people.

We do have limited stock of Bertha’s Revenge Gin and Bertha’s Revenge Sloe Gin. If interested in picking up a case or two please do email us at info@ballyvolanespirits.ie

Cheers!

Antony & Justin

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Join us on Sunday, 4th May 2025 for what promises to be a fascinating, fun and memorable evening with Robert O’Byrne aka The Irish Aesthete. Robert will give a talk entitled The Irish Country House: A New Vision which will be followed by a communal dinner in the dining room.

Hope you can join us!

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The Yoga Tree - Escape to the Country

Escape to the country on Sunday, 6th April 2025 and give yourself permission to pause.

Set within the tranquil surroundings of Ballyvolane House, an elegant 18th-century estate in the heart of the Cork countryside, this one-day retreat is designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and restore balance from within. The retreat is curated and hosted by Hazel Buckley, founder of The Yoga Tree in Cork City.

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Join us on Friday 14th February 2025, for an Alternative Valentine’s Dinner. Perfect for couples, groups of friends, siblings and anyone else looking to celebrate with a night out at Ballyvolane House this Valentine’s. We will be hosting a long-table dinner where guests will sit together in the beautiful dining room of Ballyvolane house, and enjoy a 4 course meal.

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Historic Houses of Ireland is delighted to announce that Justin Green of Ballyvolane House has been elected as its new chairman. Our heartfelt thanks to outgoing chairman, Thomas Cosby of Stradbally Hall, who oversaw impressive growth in the organisation during his six-year tenure.

Justin will be responsible for focusing the board’s activities on strategic matters, overseeing the association’s business, and setting high governance standards.

Together with his fellow board members, he will also continue to oversee and support CEO Jonathan Manning’s efforts to grow our membership, fundraise and pursue HHI’s objectives.

Historic Houses of Ireland is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the preservation of privately owned Irish architectural heritage.

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