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Ballymaloe House wins AA Ireland Guest Accommodation of the Year

November 2010: Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Mary Hanafin, today presents Hazel Allen proprietor of the famous Ballymaloe House of Shanagarry, Co. Cork with the AA Ireland Guest Accommodation of the Year Award for 2010-2011. The AA has been inspecting and grading hotels in Ireland since the early years of the last century and is delighted to bestow this accolade on such a high caliber establishment during this landmark centenary year.

The AA Hospitality Awards are among the most prestigious in the industry. They are presented annually to establishments selected by AA Inspectors as being of outstanding quality. The supreme accolade of AA Hotel of the Year goes to the Kildare Hotel & Country Club, Co. Kildare. The K Club is one of the finest Hotels in Europe and has become globally famous since hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006.

Since Hazel’s mother-in-law, Myrtle Allen, first opened her beloved farmhouse to guests 46 years ago, Ballymaloe House has become a thriving, multi award winning business luring visitors from Ireland and abroad with its intimate Irish charm and renowned cuisine. The Allen family stamp is still as strong as ever today at Ballymaloe House which is a 2 Rosette, 5 Yellow Star AA property. Today it boasts a cookery school, craft shop, café and newly refurbished ‘Grainstore’ available for arts events, musical evenings, family celebrations and more.

“Food and Hospitality is more than just a business for us here at Ballymaloe House, it’s a family passion. We’ve worked really hard to create something special and we’re thrilled to receive this award. It’s a credit to all the team here in Shanagarry,” says Hazel Allen.

The AA Ireland Guest Accommodation Award, now in its 17^th year, is awarded annually to the best of Bed & Breakfast, Guesthouse and Farmhouse category as determined by the AA Inspectors. Despite strong competition from other excellent AA rated Guest Accommodation within this category, the Ballymaloe House stands apart with its friendly and professional service, elegant drawing rooms, individually decorated dining rooms and stylist bedrooms. Fresh produce from the farm and walled gardens provide the basis of its cuisine that was recently awarded 2 AA Rosettes.

“Ballymaloe and the Allen family is a household name in Ireland and this hasn’t come without a lot of hard work and commitment to quality,” says Conor Faughnan, AA Ireland’s Director of Policy. “Bed and Breakfasts, Guesthouses and Farmhouses have a hugely important role in Irish Tourism for both the domestic and foreign travel market and it’s vital that standards remain consistently high. A huge congratulations goes to Ballymaloe House and all its staff.”