Cookery Schools in Ireland

The fun thing about learning to cook in Ireland is just how intimate an experience it can be. There you are, deep in the chef's kitchen, or in a small room with a few other enthusiasts, or even down in West Cork for the weekend, enjoying what you have just made with a few glasses of wine at dinnertime.

Ballymaloe is, of course, the pre-eminent school in the formal sense, but the special chef's kitchen classes are particularly attractive for experienced cooks, and Linda Booth's Valentia Cookery always has lots of interesting guest chefs. These are the fun ways to get on a learning curve.

Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry, Co Cork
Tel: (021) 464 6785
Email: info@cookingisfun.ie
Website: www.cookingisfun.ie
A great mix of 12-week certificate courses along with guest chefs (Rick Stein was there a few weeks back), gardening courses and many others.

Berry Lodge, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare.
Tel: (065) 708 7022
Email: info@berrylodge.com
Website: www.berrylodge.com
Rita Meade specializes in bespoke classes for small groups, in her house which is also a restaurant and B&B

Ghan House, Carlingford, Co Louth.
Tel: (042) 937 3682
Website: www.ghanhouse.com
Guest chefs are a major attraction in Joyce Carroll's well-regarded school, and Carlingford is a darling place to visit.

Island Cottage, Heir Island, Co Cork.
Tel: (028) 38102
www.islandcottage.com
Intense, exciting classes for a pair of learners at a time from the brilliant John Desmond. See also the restaurant review below.

Otto's Creative Cuisine, Dunworley, Co Cork.
Tel: (023) 40461
Email: ottokunze@eircom.net
Website: www.ottos-creative-catering.com
Weekend courses by the inspired Mr Kunze, using the finest ingredients from his tunnels. Beautiful location, outstanding teaching.

Pangur Ban, Letterfrack
Tel: (095) 41243
Website: www.pangurban.com
Email: phan@indigo.ie
John Walsh opened the school just over 2 years ago. Fusion cooking has been the big hit, but they will happily teach anything, right from the proper way to boil an egg to goat's cheese wontons with green ratatouille.

Valentia Cookery, 25 Avoca Park, Blackrock.
Tel: (01) 278 2365
Linda booth's classes showcase both her own skills as well as those of very popular guest chef's. Young Neven Maguire (did you see him on the telly!?) is back again this year to wow! everyone.

Chef's Kitchens

The Commons, Newman House, 85 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Tel: (01) 478 0530
Email: sales@thecommonsrestaurant.ie
Website: www.thecommonsrestaurant.ie
Aiden Byrne is one of the most exciting talents in Dublin right now, so do get details of these specialist classes, appositely followed by lunch.

Longueville House, Mallow, Co Cork.
Tel: (022) 47156
info@longuevillehouse.ie
www.longuevillehouse.ie
For our money, William O'Callaghan is the great unknown genius of Irish cooking, and his classes give the chance to see a truly original talent at work. Anyhow, you deserve a few days in longueville, don't you? Ah, you do.