Ballymaloe Cookery School was founded in 1983 and is Ireland's longest established private cookery school.

Absolutely. The ratio is approximately 65% female, 35% male depending on most courses.

All ages, usually between 18-65, but everyone is welcome! You will always have someone in your age bracket attending the course. Sometimes it is possible to have younger students (14 - 18) attend if accompanied by an adult. Students under 16 attending a demonstration only class are offered a 50% discount. This discount does not apply on practical classes however.

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 holiday 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. Please visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website for further information. https://www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland/ If you intend to arrive early, please ensure your total stay is not longer than 90 days. If your stay WILL be longer than 90 days you MUST apply for a VISA before leaving your home country. If you try to apply for an extension while you are in Ireland you will most likely be refused.

We take students from all over the world who speak English as a second language. It is important that you have a reasonable standard of conversational English, otherwise it may become a barrier to learning.

Both classical and contemporary, we teach recipes and techniques from all over the world.

Yes. All ingredients and recipes are supplied. You get all the recipes to take home with you when you leave.

Classes are small. A maximum of 6-8 students with 1 teacher. There can be up to 62 Students for a demonstration, but for the morning practical class students are divided up between four kitchens having 18 students and with 1 teacher to every 6-8 students

Cookery demonstrations take place almost every weekday at the school from 2.00pm to 5:00pm 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 €75 includes recipes and a taste of all the dishes prepared during the class. Booking essential.

The word Ballymaloe comes from the townland of Ballymaloe, where Ballymaloe House owned by other members of the same family is situated. The name itself comes from old Irish meaning the "Town of Milk and Honey", or "Sweet Honey".

Wear something casual, whatever clothes you feel comfortable wearing. You may want to bring walking shoes to explore the farm or the gardens.

We provide all the recipes you will need. It would be a good idea to bring a pen and a notebook.

If you are coming to a practical course you need to wear comfortable clothes and apron. Sensible, non-slip shoes are essential for the kitchen.

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 Cookery School Garden Shop or at the Ballymaloe Craft and Kitchen Shop Overseas students must pack knives in their check-in baggage. Airlines 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.

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 approximately. 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 21 4633444.

This often confuses people - the Cookery School is not on the grounds of Ballymaloe House. We are located 4 KM from Ballymaloe House approximately 1 KM north of Shanagarry Village. Turn opposite the Church in the centre of the village.

We have plenty of parking at the Cookery School.

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.

The cottages are available to rent at Easter. Please contact Adrienne in the school office to enquire about availability.

The cottages adjoining the Ballymaloe Cookery school are self-catering. Kitchen and living space in the cottages are communal. Most bedrooms are en-suite. 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.

There will be lunch at the school during you course. During our short courses we provide breakfast for all students in the cookery school from 8:30 AM Monday to Friday. If you are attending our 12 Week Certificate Course you can cook your own breakfast and supper in the cottages which are well equipped with ovens, hobs, dishwashers etc... Also you may visit one of the very good local restaurants.

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.

We have a Tennis Court that can be used by Residents at the School. Also there are local hotels that have gym facilities and we are very close to the beach.

Yes, as a student you are welcome to explore the gardens and farm.

Yes, we are very close to long sandy beaches at Shanagarry and 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 where there is a Church, a useful village shop and a pub. Please remember the Ballymaloe Cookery School is on a working farm so bring clothes suitable for country living.

Midleton is the nearest town and is approximately 10 miles from the cookery school. Cork City is also close by, a 30 Minute Drive.

We have students coming to us from all over the world. For most countries including the United States, you will not need to apply for a Visa. The normal holiday visa that will be issued to you on entry is sufficient to cover the duration of our 12 Week Cookery Course or any shorter courses.

Gift vouchers are valid indefinitely unless otherwise specified!

Ballymaloe Cookery School is owned by Darina Allen and her Children