13th June 2018: The Allen Family announces with great sadness that Myrtle Allen, founder of Ballymaloe House and a founding member of Ireland’s Blue Book, died on Wednesday 13th June. After a short battle with Pneumonia, 94-year-old Myrtle passed away in the company of her loving family at Cork University Hospital.
Myrtle Allen, the matriarch of Irish food and hospitality, enjoyed a 50-year long career as chef, hotelier and restaurateur, at the renowned Ballymaloe House, Cork which led her to become a trailblazer for aspiring industry professionals around the country.
With her husband Ivan, Myrtle opened her home, Ballymaloe House, as a restaurant and hotel in 1964. With her culinary philosophy of using the finest of local and seasonal produce, Ballymaloe House quickly gained recognition as a gourmet destination. In little over a decade, Myrtle became the first Irish woman to be awarded a Michelin Star.
Myrtle continued her endeavours in the early 1970’s and was part of the establishment of the marketing association, Ireland’s Blue Book with 10 other Irish Country House Hotels. These Country Houses saw that there was a gap between bed & breakfast accommodation and the larger hotel industry, which was not being promoted at that time. By filling this gap Ireland’s Blue Book was founded and for the first time Irish Country Houses came together to market themselves internationally. Myrtle’s efforts allowed the association to go from strength to strength, and Ireland’s Blue book will next year be celebrating 45 years, with over 50 country houses, historic hotels and restaurants in the collection.
Myrtle’s passing has left great sadness throughout the hospitality industry, speaking on this, CEO of Ireland’s Blue Book, Michelle Maguire said ‘We are so sorry to hear of the loss of our great friend and mentor, our sympathies are with the Allen family at this time. We owe a great deal to Mrs. Allen, it is because of pioneers like Myrtle, that historic Country House Hotels have become such a vital element of the Irish tourism story’.
Sallyanne Clarke, l’Ecrivain ‘We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Myrtle Allen, A Founding Member of Ireland’s Blue Book and a Shining Beacon in the Irish Food Industry. This amazing lady started Ballymaloe House to show Ireland and the rest of the World how our own Irish fresh local ingredients were the way to go. In the old days we imported so much. Myrtle showed us all how to utilise fresh local ingredients available on our doorstep, and to be proud of our heritage by supporting our local artisan producers. They have flourished with her encouragement. The entire Food Industry owe so much to the ‘Mother of Irish Cooking’. She was a rebel in her day with passion and a mission. She never stopped promoting our food and indeed our home-grown Chefs and Cooks too. We owe her a debt of gratitude. She will be very fondly remembered as a wonderful hard-working Lady in every sense of the word, and sadly missed by us all. Our deepest condolences to all her family. ‘May Myrtle Rest in Peace.
Ballymaloe House is still run by the Allen Family and celebrates over 50 years of international recognition as the home of Irish Country cuisine and hospitality.
Funeral Arrangements are yet to be announced.
About Ireland’s Blue Book
Ireland's Blue Book is a unique collection of Irish Country House Hotels, Manor Houses, Castles and Restaurants located throughout the island of Ireland. The Association was formed in 1974 with 11 founding members. There are over 50 properties in the 2018 edition of Ireland's Blue Book. Members are selected on a strict criteria basis with the emphasis being on properties who have a strong individualistic style and character and who are not members of hotel chains. The Association's unique combination of Country Houses, Castles, Historic Hotels and Restaurants all add a distinctiveness which is unlike any other marketing organisation. They represent the finest of Ireland's hospitality, accommodation and cuisine.
For details on Ireland’s Blue Book please contact:
Maria McEnery| Marketing Executive | Ireland’s Blue Book, 63 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2
T +353 1 6769914 | W: www.irelandsbluebook.com | E: maria@irelandsbluebook.com
