Eager anticipation as Ballyvolane in the running for international award
Ballyvolane House outside Castlelyons has recently been shortlisted in The Times and The Sunday Times Travel Awards 2022 under the Best Hotel Category.
Voting for the awards closed on May 22 and the winners will be revealed at a travel industry event in the Italian city of Matera towards the end of June.
Speaking with The Avondhu, proprietor Justin Green said it is ‘amazing’ to see the premises make the shortlist, amongst some of the finest hotels in the world.
“It’s really special because it’s not something we put ourselves forward for. The shortlist is provided by travel experts, travel writers and editors and the public. We are the only Irish property on the shortlist, so it’s quite an amazing thing,” he said.
SAYING ‘I DO’ IN STYLE
Earlier in the year, the country house hotel was announced the ‘Country House Venue of the Year’ by Weddingsonline, with 2022 also marking the 11th year of Ballyvolane House hosting weddings.
“That was fantastic. It’s the first time we won this award so it was lovely. It’s real recognition of the hard work and commitment put in by all the team,” Justin said.
With weddings now back in full swing, Justin noted that they have been receiving multiple enquiries for the current and upcoming seasons.
“For many, this is their third or fourth attempt to get married since Covid. We’re delighted to have them all back and we have several enquiries coming in,” Justin added.
SWEET ‘REVENGE’
Bertha’s Revenge, the small-batch Irish milk gin crafted at Ballyvolane House has also seen success this year, scoring a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
The international competition sees 70 judges from all over the world evaluate some 5,000 spirits over two weeks in April, with this year marking the largest number of entrants.
“This is the highest award Bertha has received from a truly independent awards judging panel so far. It’s the highest accolade they give, so we really value this award,” Justin said.
With two new ‘Ready to Drink’ Bertha’s Revenge gins recently hitting the market ahead of summer, the local brand continues to evolve.
During the Covid19 pandemic, the brand also released a hand sanitiser under the Bertha brand, and with the country now reopened and somewhat more relaxed, TheAvondhu queried whether Bertha’s Revenge hand sanitiser will still be seen on local shelves.
“The sanitiser was something we did during Covid. We are doing less of it now than we used to, but there is still a demand there,” Mr Green concluded.