Arrived at Ballyvolane Manor early evening after a full day of driving the Dingle Pennisula around Shea Head, which is a couple hours loop beginning and ending in the town of Dingle. With remnant clouds and occasional showers from the previous day the landscape was spectacular and the ocean views from the cliffs unreal. We then began our trek south towards Cork. Ballyvolane is a B and B just north of Cork that has been sitting quietly on my radar for some years.....yes, years. When Gourmet was a paper magazine I had torn out a page describing this manor as a highly recommended place to stay in Ireland. I kept that page amongst my recipes for years....through our move to Santa Barbara and all, finally resurrecting it when this trip became a reality. I may misplace my appointment book or my phone but I somehow managed to hang on to this magazine page! But that's not all.....Ballyvolane was also recommended to me by the parents of a client I have in Santa Barbara. This is a well-traveled family who had recently visited Ireland as part of home schooling their children. When hearing about our upcoming trip the mom told me about their favorite place to stay....Ballyvolane! So now you know the rest of the story.

Driving up the long tree covered driveway a light rain was falling and rounding the bend we caught sight of this lovely three hundred-year-old manor surrounded by every kind of flowering tree and shrub imaginable. The contrast between the grayness of the evening and the cement colored house with the burst of color was a treat. Purple wisteria drooped around the front door as we rang our arrival. Ballyvolane rents six rooms in the main house as well as numerous white tents spotting the landscape. Known as "glamping" these tents offer an alternative to staying in the main house. This is perfect for those who wish more of an adventure or perfect for an escape from one another after riding miles and hours cramped in a car! David and Emily had one of the tents and Eric another. Outfitted with candle chandeliers, full size beds with hot water bottles for warmth and a jar of homemade chocolate cookies, the tents are inviting and full of charm. Solar lights surround the area so the "glampers" can find their ways to the loo when needed. Each glamper was outfitted with a miner's head light to guide them about the property. We had a memorable dinner in the formal dining room which has been preserved with the details of the original estate, flickering lights from the candelabras, the gleaming silver accents and aromas from the kitchen demanded feeling the ambience of long ago. We expected Mr. Carson to pop around the corner at any moment!