Built in 1728, Ballyvolane is a warm, welcoming, family house surrounded by woods, trees and fields. There are several trout lakes and the huge gardens are impeccably maintained. There’s a series of comfortable, well-proportioned reception rooms and the bedrooms have stunning views of the garden or park. Guests enjoy simple, delicious home-cooking–the ingredients are grown in Ballyvolane’s own walled garden or bought from local artisan producers. There’s an excellent wine list and breakfast is served until noon. Nearby, the beautiful Blackwater Valley, with its gardens and historic sites, is well worth visiting, as are Blarney Castle, Kinsale, and Fota Arboretum and Wildlife Park.

Ballyvolane House

was first built in 1728 but was later reduced in height and extensively remodelled in the Italianate style. It is now a comfortable Edwardian family home with a charming, welcoming atmosphere, surrounded by parkland and woods, beautifully maintained gardens and a series of interconnecting lakes. Jeremy Green and his wife Merrie, a fly fishing expert, first opened their home as luxurious country house accommodation for fishermen about twenty five years ago, and it is now run by their son Justin and his wife Jenny.

Inside, the main rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable. The pillared hall has a baby grand piano and musical guests are encouraged to play, while the bedrooms have recently been described by Travel & Leisure Magazine as 'having the loveliest, most peaceful garden views'. They are also spacious and beautifully equipped.

County Cork has long been renowned for its artisan food producers and there are excellent farmers' markets nearby, so food is a high point at Ballyvolane House, with much of the vegetables and fruit coming from the carefully tended walled garden.

Ballyvolane House has six miles of private salmon fishing on the renowned River Blackwater, one of Europe's premier salmon rivers, with a good variety of spring and summer beats, and there is trout fishing in several lakes on the estate.

The beautiful Blackwater Valley is well worth exploring in detail, as are the towns of Cappoquin, Fermoy, Lismore and Mallow. Annes Grove Gardens and Blarney Castle are nearby; Cobh, Cork City and Kinsale are within easy reach, as is the Rock of Cashel, while Killarney and Waterford are both within a comfortable drive. On the coast there is sea fishing, beaches and wonderful coastal walks and elsewhere there is horse racing, farmers' markets, traditional Irish music, and 23 golf courses all within an hour's drive.


Directions:
From Cork take the N8 north. Turn right off at the River Bride onto the R628, just before the village of Rathcormack and follow the signs for Ballyvolane.