Set on 120 acres of Kilkenny countryside with breathtaking backdrops of rolling hills, Ballyhale’s stylish and sustainable Mountain View Kilkenny is home to a multi-award winning wedding and events venue, luxurious and laid-back glamping village, the setting of the South East’s largest and fastest growing weekly farmer’s market and their panoramic restaurant, The Greenhouse.
TheTaste team were delighted to be invited to Mountain View Kilkenny last weekend to stay in the Hilly Huts. The glamping village is a delightful spot for a weekend staycation, only an hour and a half away from Dublin. The Greenhouse restaurant on site serves up some delicious food, both for breakfast and brunch, as well as dinner and drinks.
Originally a family farm and having first opened nearly 30 years ago as a golf course, this third generation family-run business has been lovingly grown into one of Ireland’s most beautiful getaways and alternative wedding venues. Palliative care nurse Bee O’Grady along with her younger brother Michael O’Neill, from a family of 8 siblings, are the inspirational driving forces behind this truly unique must-visit countryside hideaway which overlooks miles and miles of peace and quiet.
Commenting on the success of her beautiful family-run venue, Mountain View co-owner and co-founder Bee O’Grady says:
“At Mountain View, we are a family. Originally my parent’s farm and along with my 8 siblings we have proudly transformed our 120 acres of rural beauty into a successful exclusive wedding and events venue, a boutique luxury glamping village, The Greenhouse restaurant with its spectacular panoramic views and of course our much-loved popular weekly farmer’s market.”
Nestled in nature, Mountain View’s beautiful boutique glamping village is the ideal alternative staycation choice for couples, families and even four-legged furry friends as they are dog friendly. This charming hilltop retreat offers a luxurious glamping experience across their spacious bell tents and custom-made Hilly Huts. Guests can expect home from home comforts in the stylish bell tents furnished with comfortable beds, luxurious duvets and fluffy pillows, while outside features your own cosy fire pit perfect for late night chats, daytime daydreaming and soaking up those spectacular sunsets. Their ‘Hilly Huts’ are open seasonally and are a perfect retreat for couples with their electric smart heating, a separate bathroom and shower and kitchen area for couples to enjoy a luxurious boutique glamping experience.
In addition to being home to one of Ireland’s most scenic glamping experiences, Ballyhale’s Mountain View is a multi award winning exclusive and all-inclusive wedding venue that boasts both indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception spaces on its private 120 acres. Crowned as a winner in this year’s national SaveMyDay.ie Wedding Venue Awards, Mountain View Kilkenny took the top spot in three award categories which is the most of any wedding venue across Ireland.. They were awarded Ireland’s Best Alternative Wedding Venue, Ireland’s Best Festival Wedding Venue and an acclaimed Judge’s Choice award.
Sharon Doyle, Director of wedding and events at Kilkenny’s award winning wedding venue Mountain View, comments:
“Whether a couple prefers to marry outdoors nestled amongst the trees or in our lovingly restored Cowshed, to party intimately in the stylish surrounds of The Greenhouse restaurant or to throw a big party celebration in the Grand Marquee, at Mountain View we will work with to-be-weds to make their wedding day truly unique and memorable for them and their guests.
Having been crowned recently as Ireland’s Best Alternative and Best Festival Wedding Venue, we are delighted to announce our brand new wedding packages, ‘The One’ and ‘The Cow Shed Feast’. Our one-of-a-kind cowshed offers the best of both worlds for wedding celebrations with its rustic and atmospheric barn-style setting and our five star top quality wedding feast from head chef Rory Nolan that prioritises the best of local and Irish produce.”
Mountain View Kilkenny is also famed both regionally and nationally for its glorious food including its handcrafted wedding menus and The Greenhouse restaurant with its delicious dinner, brunch, lunch and tempting cocktails. Head Chef Rory Nolan, who has worked previously at the Michelin-starred Chapter One restaurant in Dublin and Kilkenny’s Campagne under the internationally renowned chefs Ross Lewis and Garrett Byrne, puts a strong emphasis on “simplicity” in creating his menu and dishes and prides himself on using fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with the lowest food miles and best quality produce. Local producers include organic fruit and vegetables from Callan’s Riversfield Organic Farm; meat sourced from Mark Williams, a 6th generation beef farmer from Kilkenny’s Summerhill Farm; organic chicken from Castlecomer’s Rings Farm; and Mountain View’s own on-site herb garden.
Begun as a ‘lockdown project’ by the O’Neill family, Mountain View is also the location of the South East’s largest and fastest growing weekly farmers market, Mountain View Market. Supporting hundreds of small business owners from across Ireland and showcasing on average 75 market stalls every Sunday, the much-loved Kilkenny market hosts an eclectic mix of food and craft stalls from local, regional and nationwide creators, makers, producers and businesses. From bao buns, bubble teas, sushi to award winning bakeries and vegan ‘junk’ food, Mountain View Market has a wide variety of tasty food to cater for the whole family’s Sunday brunch, lunch or weekend treat. In addition to their weekly food and craft markets, Mountain View also hosts specialty markets such as vintage clothing fairs, pop up art galleries and potters markets.
The O’Neill family and the fantastic team at Mountain View have created a truly individual and unique setting for life’s celebrations, big and small. Mountain View is a loveable, laid-back and luxurious location set on 120 acres of natural rural beauty and offers an ultimate day out and staycation experience for family, friends or even furry four-legged friends!
Address: Mountain View, Kiltorcan, Ballyhale Co. Kilkenny, R95 NH31
Instagram @mountainviewkilkenny
Facebook @mountainviewkilkenny