• Menu
  • Menu

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry Ireland Review [updated 2024]

 

Welcome to the enchanting village of Ballingarry, Ireland, where time seems to stand still and tranquillity reigns supreme. Nestled amidst lush greenery and rolling hills, The Mustard Seed Ballingarry Hotel awaits you with open arms, promising a memorable stay in this idyllic countryside.

From its charming exterior to its warm and inviting interiors, this hidden gem exudes elegance and sophistication at every turn. Join us as we embark on a delightful journey through this captivating hotel review, uncovering the secrets that make The Mustard Seed Ballingarry an unforgettable destination for travellers seeking solace and serenity.

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry Review

A sweeping long driveway led us to the Mustard Seed Ballingarry a mere 10 km from Adare Ireland.  The mustard-coloured ex-19th-century convent now a stylish Country House sits majestically at the top of the hill in picturesque County Limerick. The Mustard Seed is one of the members of Blue Book Ireland and the Historic Hotels of Europe.

It was drizzling rain, misty and quite cold as we arrived and as we opened the door we were welcomed by a crackling open fire.  Such a cosy and warm welcome on that cold afternoon.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases (if applicable).

Location of The Mustard Seed Ballingarry County Limerick Ireland

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Map of The Mustard Seed Ballingarry

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry is only 50 minutes from Shannon Airport and situated in the traditional Irish village of Ballingarry just off the N21.

The Mustard Seed is located in Ireland’s South West making it an easy base for travelling the Wild Atlantic Way.

A Little Background History of the Mustard Seed Ballingarry

We love a good story, and this is one of them.  Apparently, the building was constructed in 1884 by the local Catholic Priest just to annoy the Protestant Rector of Ballingarry.    Now, the Protestant Rector had built a quite large impressive building, and the Catholic Priest did not want to be outdone.

After building his desired residence the Catholic Priest sold it to the religious “Mercy Order” for 1 penny.  The Sisters of the Mercy Order owned the property until 1995.  Next to the main house was the primary school which the Nuns ran during their ownership.

In the 1980s the convent sadly closed due to a lack of funds and dwindling vocations.  After being occupied privately for a couple of years the house was then left to fall into disrepair and neglect.

In 1985 Dan Mullane opened the Mustard Seed Restaurant in a cottage near Adare, it grew in popularity and established itself as one of the top restaurants in the area.  Seeing potential in the market for accommodation and a restaurant in one location Dan relocated the Mustard Seed to Echo Lodge which was the original name for the convent. Renovations started in 1994 and in 1995 the Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge opened for business.

In 2016 Dan handed the business over to his manager of 25 years, John Edward Joyce. John’s passion for The Mustard Seed shows we could not have been in better hands for the night. The Mustard Seed is one of the best hotels in Limerick, and we can even say one of the best hotels in Ireland.

For the latest deals and availability at The Mustard Seed Ballingarry:

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry

Our Experience at The Mustard Seed Ballingarry

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
The very welcoming cosy crackling fire and comfy sofas

As soon as we entered the cosy reception area of The Mustard Seed we were greeted and led to our accommodation for the night.  Feeling totally spoilt we were given one of the suites for the night.  The suites are perfect for families or a group of friends travelling together.  The stylish suite has a large private sitting room downstairs, with French doors opening out onto the garden, a fully equipped kitchen and a coal-effect electric fire.  Upstairs there are two ensuite bedrooms. The bathroom is stocked with luxurious toiletries.

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Luxurious toiletries

Let’s have a look at our very comfortable suite – click on our youtube video to watch.

 

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Entering our Suite at the Mustard Seed Ballingarry
The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Ground floor loungeroom of the Suite
The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
The Kitchen is available when you book the suite rooms

In total, The Mustard Seed Ballingarry has 10 bedrooms in the main house and 6 in the old schoolhouse. They also welcome well-behaved pets.

The Mustard Seed is set on 10 acres of gardens and orchards, ideal for long walks during your stay.

After settling in we headed to the open fire to relax in the very comfortable sofas and enjoyed a coffee before heading out to explore.  A small wedding party arrived for cocktails and dinner whilst we were there.

The Victorian Country House has several reception rooms that offer tranquil spaces to relax in, tastefully decorated with a mix of antique and modern furniture.  Even with the wedding party, we felt there were plenty of areas to enjoy the comforts of The Mustard Seed in a relaxed atmosphere.

The village of Ballingarry is about a 5-minute walk away and it is recommended to have a walk before dinner and enjoy some local Irish hospitality at the Condrons Pub. Hopefully, we were not sitting on one of the local’s stools at the bar whilst we enjoyed a pint of Guinness!

Dinner is served at The Mustard Seed between 7 pm and 9.30 pm and we recommend that you make a reservation.

We joined others at the fire for a pre-dinner drink where John recommended a Prosecco but challenged us to let him know what was so special and unique about it.  Positioned on an antique hall table close by us was a bowl of organic apples which are grown in the kitchen garden, that was the secret ingredient!  Make sure you have a glass when you visit!

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Entree

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Ravioli Main Course
The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Dessert

The Classic Dinner Menu was extensive with so many choices.  The seasonal produce is all homegrown from the Mustard Seed’s own kitchen garden. We enjoyed a 4-course dinner and a bottle of chilled Sancerre from France in the romantic candlelit restaurant.  A totally memorable experience.

Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 08.30 to 10.00.

Another hard decision on what to have.  The buffet offers poached garden fruit compote, fresh fruit, yoghurts, selections of cereals and granolas, and freshly baked scones with homemade jams.

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry
Full Irish Breakfast

Cooked breakfasts include the Irish breakfast, pancakes, organic porridge with cream and Jameson whiskey, smoked chicken omelette and smoked salmon.

No wonder The Mustard Seed is named as one of the best restaurants in Ireland and one of the best restaurants in Limerick.

Suggestions on what to do close by The Mustard Seed at Ballingarry

The following information is recommendations from John and his team at the Mustard Seed on what to do:

There is an abundance of activities to enjoy during your stay at the Mustard Seed.

Fishing – Escorted day trips can be arranged from the house with Celtic angling. For more information see www.celticangling.com  Advance booking is essential.

Horseriding – Clonshire riding stables is located only 15 minutes drive towards Adare.

Golf – A choice of several courses is within easy driving distance.

Adare Village – One of Irelands’ prettiest villages is 10 minutes drive. Half a day can be spent browsing the craft galleries, antique shops and the Heritage Centre. There is a good choice of coffee shops and restaurants with an excellent selection of ladies’ boutiques.

Garden visits – There is a selection of interesting gardens nearby that welcome visitors.

Irish Dresden – At Irish Dresden, a cross-country drive away, will take you to the factory where the intricate Dresden is made.

Family or corporate entertainment – Little Orchard Adventure Centre – see www.funireland.com – is 20 minutes drive from Ballingarry. It provides facilities for off-road mud karting, archery lessons, clay pigeon shooting, paintballing, etc.
Car Rental: we hired a car for our 3-week tour of Ireland and we recommend that this is the best way to travel.

For the latest deals and reservations:

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry

Address: The Mustard Seed at Echo Lodge, Ballingarry

We thank John and his team for looking after us for our hosted one-night stay which included dinner, bed and breakfast.

In conclusion, The Mustard Seed Ballingarry Ireland is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of County Limerick. From its stunning surroundings to its impeccable service and exquisite dining options, this charming hotel offers an unforgettable experience for every guest.

Whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or a peaceful retreat in nature, The Mustard Seed promises to exceed your expectations. With its warm hospitality and attention to detail, it truly embodies the essence of Irish charm.

So if you find yourself yearning for tranquillity and luxury intertwined with rich history and culture, look no further than The Mustard Seed Ballingarry Ireland – where exceptional experiences await at every turn.

Our travel articles on Ireland:

Barberstown Castle – 30 minutes from Dublin in County Kildare

No 1 Pery Square – Limerick County Limerick – Georgian Hotel Accommodation

Carrig Country House – Killorglin County Kerry

Killarney Brewing Company

Aherne’s Youghal

Dunbrody House Arthurstown

Kilkea Castle

Things to do in West Cork

King Sitric Fish Restaurant and Accommodation

Guinness Storehouse

Food Walking Tour of Dublin

If you enjoyed this article why not PIN it for later?

The Mustard Seed Ballingarry

 

 

Flight Deals to Ireland

Find the cheapest flights with Skyscanner our go-to when researching and booking flights throughout the world.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance when booking and paying for flights, cruises and tours.

DISCLOSURE:  We enjoyed accommodation, dinner and breakfast as guests of The Mustard Seed but received no further remuneration to write this post.  We were not expected to write a positive review – all views are our own and we retain full editorial control.

Disclosure: Certain links in this post are affiliate links. This means that should you make a purchase via our link, we will receive a commission which will not affect the price you pay.

 

 

 

totraveltoo

Thanks for stopping by and welcome to To Travel Too – Australia’s top Baby Boomer lifestyle and travel blog, with an international worldwide audience in mind, run by the married couple, freelance writers and full-time travellers Jane and Duncan Dempster-Smith. Come with us as we explore the world. Our two mantras that we live by are 'chase time not money' and 'age is no barrier when it comes to travel'.

View stories

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 comments