SPONSORED: Mountain View – a little slice of heaven tucked away in the hills of South Kilkenny

WHEN you enter the spectacular 120-acre grounds of Mountain View, it feels like you’re world away from the bustle and stresses of everyday life.

Tucked snugly into the hills of South Kilkenny in the hurling heartland of Ballyhale, Mountain View boasts incredible panoramic views spanning six counties.

It’s almost difficult to remember you’re just a 20-minute drive from Waterford city – and almost the same distance to Kilkenny – as you enter the tree-lined avenue just inside the entrance of the stunning 120-acre grounds.

Yet its very accessibility, coupled with its idyllic rural setting, has helped transform Mountain View into one of the leading independent wedding and events venues in the South East. And now the critically acclaimed venue is set for another significant transformation with the news it is planning to build sustainable accommodation units on its beautiful hillside grounds.

The exciting new development of 11 eco-pods, will, subject to approval, create further employment in the Ballyhale area, attracting more visitors and tourism-related revenue to south Kilkenny.

Mountain View underwent a major refurbishment last year and has transformed into one of the region’s leading exclusive-use wedding and event venues. The appointment of Maria Raftery, formerly of Zuni Restaurant in Kilkenny city, as Culinary Director, has transformed Mountain’s View critically acclaimed food offering.

“These are very exciting times at Mountain View,” says co-director Bee O’Grady, a member of the O’Neill family who have owned Mountain View since it first opened as a golf course almost a quarter of a century ago.

“We’ve had a fantastic year since we began to diversify into the weddings, private events and restaurant space. In reality, we’re just responding to the needs of our customers and the local area and providing sustainable accommodation units on the grounds creates another much-needed amenity for South Kilkenny and the surrounding region.”

Mountain View, which originally opened in Ballyhale almost a quarter of a century ago, is just one of a handful of remaining privately owned golf clubs in Ireland and the new development is a central part of the owners’ growth strategy.

The new ‘eco-pods’, each furnished with bespoke designer interiors, will bring year-round ‘glamping’ to Kilkenny, and cater for the growing need for environmentally conscious living. The construction work, which will be carried out by Colin Fennelly Developments, will also provide an employment boost locally.

The new accommodation units will be built on the back nine holes of the existing golf course and will have spectacular views. There will also be extensive investment in the front nine holes of the golf course over the coming months.

The development will not have any impact on bookings or existing golf club members, with work not due to commence until the end of the current membership year on October 31.

Under the direction of the O’Neill family, Mountain View has undergone a major refurbishment over the past year and has developed into one of the most charming venues in the South East, perfect for any special occasion.

For more information, call the Mountain View team on 056 776 8122, email info@mountainview.ie or log on to: http://www.mountainview.ie