Recently, Pat and Miriam Mulcahy welcomed visitors to Ballinwillin House & Farm in Mitchelstown, Cork, to celebrate the Old Butter Roads.
A diverse programme of events, which included an outdoor pop up Bao Boi supper, an intimate long table dinner by Bryan McCarthy from Greene’s Restaurant and Cask in Cork and a Slow at Work workshop by food writer, Aoife McElwain, was enjoyed by individuals from all over Ireland and beyond.
Anthony O’Toole, Euro-Toques Ireland, Sharon Noonan, Best Possible Taste and Bryan McCarthy, Greene’s and Bao Boi Cork.
Photo: Joleen Cronin Photography & Design
The award-winning chef used organic farmed venison and wild boar from Ballinwillin, as well as ingredients from the locality, to create mouth-watering menus for guests to enjoy during the weekend. Wines from the Mulcahy family’s vineyard in Hungary were matched with dishes.
One of the highlights was the unveiling of a new holistic garden, which has areas devoted to mindfulness, meditation and forgiveness. Pat Mulcahy developed the garden in the grounds of Ballinwillin, as a result of the mental and physical aftermath of the worst Winter he has experienced since his move to Mitchelstown 40 years ago.
Photo: Joleen Cronin Photography & Design
The garden is attracting attention from all corners and the Hungarian Ambassador to Ireland is due to visit later this month and an invitation has been extended to Neven Maguire, Ireland’s favourite chef, who was struck by Pat’s passion when they met for the first time at the stunning Ashford Castle last month.
During the Saturday workshop with Aoife McElwain, author of Slow at Work – How to Work Less, Achieve More and Regain Your Balance in an Always-On World, Pat shared his insights into mindfulness and revealed that he has been meditating since he was a child, albeit he was unaware at the time that was what it was called.
Guests at the outdoor Bao Boi pop up supper at Ballinwillin House, Mitchelstown, Co Cork.
Photo: Joleen Cronin Photography & Design
Pat has proven himself to be an innovator in the industry and has the only combined organic farmed venison, wild boar and goat farm in Ireland and the UK. His wife, Miriam, operates a B&B in the eighteenth century house and courtyard wing and the property is becoming increasingly popular for exclusive corporate events and unique holistic retreats. An exclusive residential retreat designed to nourish the mind and body is currently in development and is expected to launch this Autumn.
“Burn out is becoming increasingly prevalent in society,” Pat said. “There is a great atmosphere of tranquillity and peace here at Ballinwillin, which guests often remark on, particularly those with demanding jobs and busy lives. We are very excited about developing new experiences that focus on good food, health and wellbeing, and we are collaborating with various partners in the industry to create a suite of unique retreats.”
Ballinwillin House & Farm
ballinwillinhouse.com
Mitchelstown, Cork
086 256 1578
ballinwillinhouse@gmail.com
