Gwyneth Paltrow's 'Goop' seasonal gift guide recommends Cork hotel

Ballymaloe House Hotel in Cork has received international recognition through its inclusion in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop seasonal gift guide.

Founded by Paltrow in 2008, Goop was originally a lo-fi weekly newsletter, intended for family, friends, and friends of friends.

A decade later, it has grown into a 200-employee enterprise and a global brand recognised for starting important conversations and pushing issues and ideas into the mainstream, with robust content on the site focusing on wellness, food, style, work, and travel.

One of Ireland’s most celebrated country-house and dining destinations, Ballymaloe House Hotel was selected by Goop editors in its ‘The Forward-to-Your-SO’ gift guide, alongside other brands including Chanel, Rolex and Birkin.

The celebrated Goop guide is curated by the website’s editors to suggest meaningful presents for the people who have everything.

In its description of Ballymaloe House, the Goop website states that “the real draw at this charming, plush country house hotel” is the “farm to fork dining”.

Marketing and digital manager Helen Cuddigan said: “While Ballymaloe House Hotel proudly stands on its own reputation, to be recognised in Goop’s seasonal gift guide will bring what we do to an entire new audience.

“We look forward to a busy 2024 season, welcoming back returning guests, and our newer ones.” Ballymaloe House Hotel has held true to its tradition of female leadership since the late Myrtle Allen, a trailblazer who made a lasting contribution to Irish cuisine, first opened a restaurant in her dining room in Ballymaloe House in 1964 and went on to become the first female chef in Ireland to be awarded a Michelin Star.

The hotel continues its female leadership tradition today, with general manager Laura Behan, head chef Dervilla O'Flynn, house manager Fern Allen, housekeeping manager Roisin Berner, front-of-house manager Lyndsay Greer-Cashman, reservations and revenue manager Daphne Spillane, marketing and digital manager Helen Cuddigan, and head gardener Mags Coughlan.

Bree Allen also heads up the Ballymaloe Grainstore, a hugely successful events venue on the grounds of Ballymaloe House, and Chloe Taberman recently joined the team as events manager.