Frequently Asked Questions
- How long has the School been established?
- Who owns the School?
- Where does the name Ballymaloe come from?
- Are the courses suitable for men and women?
- What age are the students?
- Do you have overseas students?
- Will I need a Visa?
- As an overseas student, how good does my English have to be?
- What sort of cooking will I learn?
- Does the School provide the recipes and food ingredients?
- How many students are there in a class?
- Do you have afternoon demonstrations?
- What should I wear for a demonstration courses?
- Do I need to bring anything with me on a demonstration courses?
- What do I wear on a practical courses?
- Do I need to bring anything with me on a practical courses?
- I am coming on a Certificate course will I need anything extra?
- Do I need some cooking experience?
- How do I get there?
- Are you in the grounds of Ballymaloe House?
- Where do I park?
- May I arrive the night before my class starts?
- When are your cottages available to rent for a holiday?
- Can you describe the accommodation?
- So what do I do about my meals?
- Do I need to bring my own towels and bed linen?
- Do you have any sports facilities at the cookery school?
- As a student may I walk around the gardens freely?
- Are there golf courses near by?
- Is there a beach close by?
- Are you in a town?
- So where is the nearest town?
- How long are Gift Vouchers valid for?
How long has the School been established?
Ballymaloe Cookery School was founded in 1983 and is Irelands longest established private cookery school.
Ballymaloe Cookery School is owned and was founded by Dr Darina Allen, the Principal of the School.
Where does the name Ballymaloe come from?
Ballymaloe comes from Ballymaloe House, the country House owned by other members of the same Family, the name it's self comes from old Irish meaning the "Town of Milk and Honey", or "Sweet Honey".
Are the courses suitable for both men and women?
Absolutely. The ratio is approximately 65% female, 35% male depending on the course..
All ages, usually between 18-60, but we have had an 70 year old student! Sometimes younger students, much younger should be accompanied by an adult.
Do you have overseas students?
Our courses are very popular with students from all over the world. At any one time we may have Japanese, Dutch, British, American, Swedish, Australian and New Zealand students, to name a few, studying with us.
You may need a travel visa, if you live outside the European Union, a standard 3 month tourist visa will usually do, Your travel agent will be able to advise. If you hold a non European Union Passport, you may be asked to show our letter of acceptance to the Irish Emigration official with your passport.
As an overseas student, how good does my English have to be?
Our overseas students are advised to have a good standard of English.
What sort of cooking will I learn?
Both classical and contemporary we teach recipes and techniques from all over the world.
Does the School provide the recipes and food ingredients?
Yes. All ingredients and recipes are supplied.
How many students are there in a class?
Classes are small. A maximum of 6-8 students with 1 teacher. There can be up to 56 Students for a demonstration, but for the morning practical class students are divided up between four kitchens, with 1 teacher to every 6-8 students.
Do you have afternoon demonstrations?
Cookery demonstrations take place almost every weekday at the School from 2.00pm to 4.30pm and people who cannot spare the time to take an entire course often enjoy instead attending a demonstration session while a course is in progress. This can easily be arranged during both the l2-week Certificate course and the many other courses, space permitting. The fee of €60 - €75 includes recipes and a taste of all the dishes prepared during the class. Booking essential.
What should I wear for a demonstration courses?
Wear something casual, whatever clothes you feel comfortable wearing. You may want to bring walking shoes to explore the farm or the gardens.
Do I need to bring anything with me on a demonstration courses?
We provide all the recipes you will need. It would be a good idea to bring a pen and a notebook.
What do I wear on a practical courses?
If you are coming to a practical courses you need to wear comfortable clothes and apron. Sensible, non slip shoes are essential for the kitchen.
Do I need to bring anything with me on a practical courses?
If possible bring at least one sharp knife. A filleting, chopping, and fruit/vegetable knife would be most useful. A wide variety of knives are also available at the Ballymaloe Craft and Kitchen Shop open 9am-6.30pm daily. Overseas students must pack knives in their check-in baggage. Air Lines do not allow knives to be carried in hand-luggage. You will also need to bring your apron for cooking. We provide all the recipes you will need. It would be a good idea to bring a pen and a notebook.
I am coming on a Certificate course will I need anything Extra?
Yes you will! Click Here to find out
Do I need some cooking experience?
There is no problem if you have no cooking experience whatsoever; this is a cooking school; our job is to teach you. We want you to have lots of fun as you learn.
Airport: Cork 25 miles approx. Airline that serve Cork All major Car hire car company's operate out of Cork airport. Click here for detailed directions Train Station: Kent Station, Cork 20 miles approx., Buses: Irregular service from Cork, TAXI: East Cork Cabs offer a special rate to Ballymaloe Cookery School students. Advance booking is essential. Tel: +353(0)21 4633444.
Are you in the grounds of Ballymaloe House?
This often confuses people - the Cookery School is not in the grounds of Ballymaloe House. We are located 2 miles from Ballymaloe house approx. ½ mile north of Shanagarry Village. Turn opposite the Church in the centre of the village. See Map
We have ample parking in the Cookery School car park.
May I arrive the night before my class starts?
If you plan to arrive the night before a course commences, please let us know the approximate time of arrival so we can arrange to have someone here to show you to your cottage.
When are your cottages available to rent for a holiday?
The cottages are available to rent at Christmas, Easter, and on a weekly basis from Saturday to Saturday during the Summer season. They are also available on occasional holiday weekends, eg. May and June Bank Holiday weekends.
Can you describe the accommodation?
The cottages adjoining the Ballymaloe Cookery school are self catering. Kitchen and living space in the cottages are communal. Most bedrooms are not ensuite. When you arrive we will have basic supplies in the cottages, bread, butter, eggs, tea and coffee. Please feel free to bring anything else you require with you. There is a Village Shop nearby which sells a wide range of food and basic supplies. Open 8am -8pm daily.
So what do I do about my meals?
There will be lunch at the school during you course. You can cook your own breakfast and supper in the cottages which are well equipped with ovens, hobs, dishwashers ect.... or why no visit one of the very good local Restaurants.
Do I need to bring my own towels and bed linen?
No, Bed linen and towels are supplied in the cottages on the short courses. On the 12 week course you may arrange to hire bed linen.
Do you have any sports facilities at the cookery school?
Yes, you are welcome to use the tennis court here at the Ballymaloe Cookery School. Please bring a racquet and tennis balls. We also have a table tennis table.
As a student may I walk around the gardens freely?
Yes, as a student you are welcome to explore the gardens and farm.
Are there golf courses near by?
Yes there are a number of excellent courses:
Water rock,: 021 4613499
Youghal,: 024 92787
Harbour Point, 021 4353094
Cork Golf Club: 021 4353451
East Cork: 021 4631687
Yes, we are very close to long sandy beaches at Shanagarry & Garryvoe. There is also a cliff walk: from Ballycotton to Ballyandreen and onwards.
No, we are outside the village of Shanagarry. It is a 5 minute walk to the small village famous for its Pottery. Please remember the Ballymaloe Cookery School is on a working farm so bring clothes suitable for country living. Leave your Prada gear at home!
Midleton is the nearest town and is approx. 8 miles from the cookery school.
How long are Gift Vouchers valid for?
Gift vouchers are valid indefinitely unless otherwise specified !