Return to Nature

History

Balllyhooly Lodge is steeped in history, and is now in private use as residence and family home since approx. the year 2000.  Prior to this it was open to the public as a popular public house, fishing lodge and B&B, providing accommodation for holiday makers in the mountains of North County Cork.  In earlier times it was known as The Castle Tavern, where the small dance hall was home to many live music concerts and a focal point of the community.

Sometime in the early 1920’s, The Castle Tavern was demolished when it was blown up by the Black & Tans in a revenge attack, after a nearby manor house was blown up by the rebel Irish army.  The Castle Tavern was re-built during 1930-1940 by the British Government as part of their treaty agreement, where a number of significant buildings of Ireland were required to be rebuilt including Cork City hall, such was the significance of the Castle Tavern in Irish colonial history.

New Owners

After a year of preparations during 2022 and 2023, Ballyhooly Lodge is now under new ownership.   New owners – Sharon, a Complementary Therapist & Teacher, Marriage Celebrant & Musician from Australia, and her husband Gerry – a guitarist/composer and guitar Teacher from Dublin who lived in Australia for 30 years and returned home to Ireland in 2013, have relocated from their home of 10 years in Cork City, to Ballyhooly Lodge which is now their home.

Nature Retreats

Nearby Castleblagh woods and forest walks along the Blackwater River make the Ballyhooly area a haven for a variety of peaceful Nature Retreats.

For three months of the year, new owners will welcome guests for a range of Holistic well-being day and weekend retreats with a variety of themes.  Activities include pilgrimages to local spiritual places of interest, Sound & Music Therapy, Meditation &  Mindfulness, Gong Meditation, Yoga classes, Laughter Yoga, and connecting with nature and the trees through Forest Bathing in the nearby Castleblagh Woods.

Yoga Studio

The former dance hall at Ballyhooly Lodge is now converted to a  tranquil Yoga Studio for a range of private Yoga & Meditation classes for the owners, family and friends.

A range of regular yoga & meditation classes are held at Ballyhooly Lodge for fundraising for renovation & preservation fund for Ballyhooly Lodge.  Details of classes be posted here.

Live Music Events

Music has returned to Ballyhooly Lodge.  Renovations are underway to create an indoor live performance stage for private music events, for the enjoyment of the new owners, family & friends.  Once the live stage is ready, Ballyhooly Lodge will become home to a new blues club, featuring live music events twice a month.  Membership of The Folk & Blues Club will be open to all, by invitation from existing members.

Spiritual Pilgrimage

The area surrounding Ballyhooly is enriched with spiritual places of interest, in less than 10 minutes drive you’ll find:

• Glenville Mass Rock
• Doonpeter Holy Well & Famine Walk
• Bridgetown Abbey, a glorious ruined monastic site and former priory,
• Labacallee Wedge Tomb
• Nano Nagle Birthplace
• and more to explore.

Spiritual walks at the places above can be arranged on request.