Ballymaloe House Hotel's Hazel Allen dies, aged 73
Hazel Allen at a 2018 celebration of the 45th anniversary of the Blue Book guide to historic guesthouses and restaurants which she co-founded. Picture: Eddie O'Hare/Irish Examiner
Hazel Allen, who ran the popular Ballymaloe House Hotel for many years, has died after a long illness.
As well as running the famous East Cork hotel since the 1970s, the 73-year-old was also one of the founders of Ireland's Blue Book guide to historic guesthouses and restaurants.
She was married to Rory Allen, son of the late Michelin star-winning head chef and co-owner of the restaurant The Yeats Room at Ballymaloe House, Myrtle Allen.
Hazel was born on October 16, 1950, in Cullohill, Co Laois.
She spent most of her working life at Ballymaloe House, first arriving in 1969 and becoming involved in running the country house hotel and restaurant.
Over the years, Hazel was integral in bringing Ballymaloe from the small business she joined to the well-known name it is today.
In a statement, the family said: "Ballymaloe House and the extended Allen family are sad to announce the passing of Hazel Allen, who died peacefully on 3rd May, in the care of Marymount Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, following a long illness.
"Hazel will be dearly missed by her husband Rory, children Cullen, Fawn, Darren, Caragh, and Roisín, her 15 grandchildren, sons and daughters in law, the Allen family, friends, staff and guests of Ballymaloe."
food writer Joe McNamee said: "Hazel was an exceptional woman who turned Ballymaloe into a very special place.
"She gave the place an extra polish and brought it up to what it was.
"It is worth noting that when the Financial Times restaurant correspondent Nick Lander wrote his book The Art of the Restaurateur, the only Irish place he referenced was Ballymaloe, and Hazel dominated the entire piece.
"But despite talents, she hid them and often preferred to play a more back room role."
Funeral announcement to follow at a later date.
