There’s Many Ways to Spoil Your Mum in Ballyhoura this Mother’s Day
With thoughts turning to Mother’s Day on Sunday 27th March – and more importantly to getting the special lady in your life a meaningful gift – the beautiful Munster region of Ballyhoura has so many ways you can spoil her. Gourmet chocolates, ceramic gifts, a romantic mountain getaway, a classy Mother’s Day Jazz Lunch: all these and more can all be found throughout this hidden gem of a tourist destination.
Chocolates will always say, “we love you, mum”, but the sumptuous new signature range of handcrafted gourmet chocolates from Praline Pastry & Chocolate Shop in Mitchelstown, Co Cork – launched just in time for Mother’s Day – goes just that extra mile.
Praline’s owner, award-winning pastry chef and chocolatier, Norma Kelly, has produced her ‘Signature Selection’ Chocolate Gift Box, comprising six specially created fillings, each one inspired by some of her region’s top artisan food producers. Meticulously made and individually hand-painted, each flavour comes encased in the finest, sustainably sourced Cacao Berry Chocolate. The ‘Signature Selection’ Chocolate Gift Box includes one each of Vanilla Salted Caramel, Heather Honey & Orange, Raspberry & Passionfruit, Toffee Apple, Praline & Coffee, and Jasmine & Poppy Seed flavoured chocolates.
To ensure delivery in time for Mother’s Day, order on www.praline.ie before 5pm on Monday 21st March. The price for six chocolates is €13.00, while the larger gift box containing twelve chocolates is priced at €25.00, with nationwide delivery €10.00.
Of course, you could just as easily surprise her at home with a mouth-wateringly delicious homemade dessert – Ballyhoura Panna Cotta with Rhubarb – devised by Ballyhoura’s very own food writer Cathy Fitzgibbon (The Culinary Celt: www.theculinarycelt.com), who has just launched her new book, “Eat With The Seasons”. Cathy’s recipe, which contains rhubarb sourced from Sli Eile Farm in Churchtown, Co Cork, is a veritable treat for the tastebuds, and you’ll definitely score brownie points with Mum when you present her with this! You can DOWNLOAD the recipe card here.
There are lots of fab craft and local gift ideas for Mum across Ballyhoura. In Great Artitude Gallery in the picturesque town of Doneraile, you will find beautiful wreaths from the Give Me All The Flowers & Wreaths range. These are handmade with dried and preserved flowers by young Cork creative Katie White – you can order directly from Katie at www.instagram.com/givemealltheflowers_wreaths. The Great Artitude Gallery also stocks a wide range of Irish hand-crafted ceramic gifts, handmade in stoneware by Sonja Guenther in Co. Kilkenny. Sonja’s designs – www.jarsofclayceramics.com – include tableware, vases, sculptures and more, and are of the highest quality, yet affordable. In Bruff, Co Limerick, Clair Jones at Lough Gur Pottery takes inspiration from the 6,000 years of history surrounding her in the Lough Gur region to create some beautiful Mother’s Day themed pottery gifts and jewellery.
For an amazing wellness break gift in a stunning location, The Galtee Escape is collaborating with Praline Pastries for an amazing Mother's Day Themed Afternoon Tea. For the ultimate treat for Mum, you can overnight there too, in The Escape’s Gate Lodge - and they also their own indoor heated pool!
You can also give the gift of relaxation with special Mother’s Day gifts to suit all budgets – including aromatherapy massages, essential oil blends and natural skincare products – from Two Green Witches Skincare in Doneraile.
A very special Mother’s Day Jazz Lunch takes place on Sunday 27th in Charleville Park Hotel from 2-4.30pm. As well as elegant live music and a sumptuous 3-course Sunday lunch, Mum will enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbly and a special gift. €34.95 per person, book on www.charlevilleparkhotel.com.
With the culture diary being particularly full in the week leading up to Mother’s Day, you can bring Mum for a pre-Mother’s Day evening at the theatre or concert.
In Mitchelstown, “Theatrical Nights – A Night at the Musicals” takes place in St George’s Arts & Heritage Centre on 25th March, while Ballindangan Players host the comedy play “Ladies of Spirit” from 23rd-27th March in Ballindangan Hall.
Lastly, Brian Friel’s classic “Philadelphia Here I Come” is presented at the Friar’s Gate Theatre in Kilmallock on 25th March.
A rustic, romantic getaway in the foothills of the Ballyhoura Mountains may just be the perfect Mother’s Day gift. The Mountain View Glamping Snug in Ardpatrick, Co Limerick has its own private hot tub and if you’re lucky enough, you may catch sight of the wild deer grazing as you relax on the patio. The Mother’s Day Special, on Sunday 27th March, also includes a free bottle of prosecco to welcome you. www.airbnb.com/h/mountainviewglampingsnug
With so many gift options to be found throughout Ballyhoura Country for Mother’s Day, you will be sure to find the perfect way to thank your mum for being so special, with a gift that she’ll treasure.
