Ireland’s Best Cookery Schools: Master the Art of Cooking
Tue May 13 2025
Written by Nessa Robins
We are privileged in Ireland to have such a vast amount of cookery classes available to book into countrywide. From scone-making to tortilla-making, hands-on to demonstrations, there’s a course to suit all tastes. A cookery class makes for the perfect day out with a loved one, but could equally be enjoyed as a day of a self-care. Whether you want to hone in on your kitchen skills, or sit back and sample the baking skills of a celebrity chef, we have the class for you. We have put together a comprehensive guide to cookery classes taking place in Ireland, plus plenty of online options too. Enjoy!
Ballymaloe Cookery School
Set on a beautiful 100acre working farm in East Cork, Ballymaloe is Ireland’s most famous cookery school and one which taught some A-list chefs, café owners and food writers over the years, including Clodagh Mckenna, Thomasina Miers, Lilly Higgins, Catherine Fulvio, Gemma Stafford, Eoin Cluskey, and Charlotte Pike. Ballymaloe offers a range of courses from half day courses to their 12-week certificate course, and in recent times Ballymaloe have extended the option to join their afternoon demonstrations online. Seasonality and sustainability are at the helm of Ballymaloe’s recipes, with much of the ingredients for the classes being sourced on the farm or locally. Upcoming courses include Spring Foraging with Darina Allen & Patrick Browne
Location: Shanagarry, Co Cork
Dublin Cookery School
Award-winning cookery school, located in Blackrock, Dublin Cookery School offers a vast amount of courses of varying lengths from evening to 1-day, multi-day to 4-weeks. All courses, even the one-evening courses, are hands-on allowing for a fully immersive experience. Most courses are hosted by the cookery school’s experienced tutors while others are presented by guest chefs, experts in their cuisine of choice. Upcoming courses include Come Dine with Dad, a hands-on cookery session alongside the fatherly figure in your life, followed by dinner in the cookery school’s dining room.
Location: Blackrock, Dublin
Firehouse Bakery Cookery School
Known for their artisan bread, Firehouse’s bread-making courses are well sought after. The class will also include a tour of the bakery which gives a behind the scenes look and insight into the daily workings of a modern Irish bakery, and you can bring home everything you cook on the day. In addition to bread-making, Firehouse offer a variety of classes from pasta-making to kitchen skills. All classes are hands-on and numbers in each class are limited.
Upcoming courses include A Taste of Italy, a full day class with lunch and wine included.
Location: Newtown Mount Kennedy, Co Wicklow
The Edward Hayden School of Cookery
Edward Hayden is well known as a long-standing chef on Ireland Am where he dishes up delicious recipes with lots of great tips and tricks, spiked with plenty of humour and entertainment. Located in the picturesque town of Graiguenamanagh, and winner of the best cookery school in Ireland 2024, with the Restaurants Association of Ireland, The Edward Hayden School of Cookery is a must visit for foodies of all ages.
Location: Graiguenamanagh, Kilkenny
Ballyknocken Cookery School
Set in an idyllic corner of County Wicklow, this award-winning cookery school is run by celebrity chef Catherine Fulvio. Catherine is a familiar face on Irish television, and she also generously shares many recipes through her Instagram and Facebook platforms. Cooking for family and friends is the focus of many of the wonderful courses Ballyknocken has to offer. The classes appear to run each Saturday morning and finish with a light lunch. Upcoming courses include Mastering Italian Pasta & Sauces.
Location: Ashford, Co. Wicklow
How to book: https://ballyknocken.ie
Dunbrody Cookery School
Dunbrody Cookery School is located just opposite the luxury boutique hotel Dunbrody Country House Hotel, which has been operated and managed by husband and wife team Kevin and Catherine Dundon for over 24 years. Kevin is well-known to Irish viewers as he has hosted many cookery shows, along with appearing regularly on RTE’s Today Show. All of the courses at the Dunbrody Cookery School have been personally designed by Kevin, while the classes are conducted by Dunbrody’s chef instructor Julien Clemot. Courses range from one to five days, as well as online courses hosted by Kevin Dundon, with varying topics on offer. Upcoming courses include Ultimate Comfort Food.
Location: Arthurstown, Co. Wexford
How to book: https://www.dunbrodyhouse.com/dunbrody-cookery-school.html
Neven Maguire Cookery School
As one of Ireland’s best loved chefs, Neven Maguire’s cookery school is a popular choice for any budding cook. The cookery school is adjoining MacNean House & Restaurant in Blacklion. All classes are hosted by Neven, and each class includes both hands-on learning and demonstrations by Neven and his dedicated team. Most courses are a day-long, and you will have the opportunity to cook, eat and bring home a selection of Neven’s favourite dishes. There will also be time set aside to tour MacNean House & Restaurant’s extensive vegetable and herb collections. Upcoming courses include Cooking with Family and Friends.
Location: Blacklion, Co Cavan
How to book: https://www.nevenmaguire.com/cookery-school/
The Tannery Cookery School
With over 40 years of experience in the kitchen, Paul Flynn offers courses for every level in his state-of-the-art cookery school. The choice is there to become hands-on and cook up a storm, under the guidance of Paul and his staff, or sit back and enjoy a morning of demonstrations before sampling all the delicious dishes on offer. Located in the seaside town of Dungarvan, The Tannery make the most of the fresh Waterford produce in the recipes they pick for each course. According to Paul, simplicity is the theme yet the tastes are hugely exciting. Upcoming courses include Italian Food to Share.
Location: Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
How to book: https://tannery.ie
Aniar Cookery School
Aniar is a Michelin Starred restaurant located in Galway’s West End. The cookery school offers a wide range of courses, which are held in the heart of the kitchen at Aniar. Classes are led by chef patron Dr. Jp McMahon. Throughout all the courses, emphasis is placed on food provenance and sourcing from local suppliers. The school offers one-day workshops as well as six-week classes. Class numbers are limited as each class includes demonstrations and hands-on activities. Aniar also offer online cooking classes through Zoom. Upcoming courses include Gastropub Classics.
Location: Galway
How to book: https://www.aniarrestaurant.ie/cookery-school
Cloughan Farm & Cookery School
Fiona Egan along with her husband Michael run Cloughan Farm and Cookery School. Their cookery school is nestled on their working farm, and class participants have the opportunity to visit the beautifully landscaped kitchen garden, orchard, greenhouse and polytunnel, collect eggs from the hens, and enjoy a fully immersive farm-to-plate experience. Cloughan Farm offer hands-on, demo & dine classes, as well as courses on horticulture and gardening. Upcoming courses include Fabulous Baking & Desserts.
Location: Abbeyshrule, Co. Longford
How to book: https://fionaegan.com
Ciara’s Kitchen
Ciara Fennessy is a chef based in the beautiful Delgany, Co Wicklow. You can join Ciara for in person demos while enjoying the spoils of your recipe creations. However Ciara also offers some amazing online classes across various cuisines
Location: Delgany, Co. Wicklow
Book online and in person classes here.
Riot Rye
Joe Fitzmaurice & Julie Lockett are the people behind Riot Rye, a wood-fire bakery located in Cloughjordan’s Eco-village. When you attend one of their bread-making courses, included is a farm-to-table vegetarian lunch, a Riot Rye Sourdough Starter to bring home with you, plus all the fabulous sourdough breads you have baked at the class. With a strong ethos for sharing the beauty of baking real bread, Riot Rye have included free online tutorials on their site. Upcoming courses include Sourdough Class Level 1.
Location: Cloughjordan Eco-village, Co. Tipperary
How to book: https://www.riotrye.ie
Finola’s Cookery School
Finola, a primary school teacher, opened her cookery school in 2022 to teach children about food and give them the knowledge and confidence to cook and bake delicious dishes for their families. With camps running during school holidays, Finola offers lots of hands-on experience for any budding chefs.
Location: Rosscarbery, West Cork
How to book: FinolasCookerySchool on Instagram
Wild Garlic Table
Ballymaloe-trained Pauline offers classes in her beautifully renovated home. The teaching method is simple with the emphasis on locally-sourced produce. The classes include a glass of wine, a booklet of recipes, and Pauline promises a fun night full of deliciousness.
Location: Ramelton, Co. Donegal
How to book: https://www.wildgarlictable.com
ACE Kid’s Kitchen
Edel Walsh set up ACE Kid’s Kitchen in 2018. She initially offered baking and cookery classes for children on a weekly basis, but soon the demand was so great she had to run the classes twice weekly. Edel is a qualified Home Economist with a passion for teaching people how to cook and bake. She has four children who are all involved in the Cookery School, especially her two daughters, Áine and Cáit (age 12 and 9) who help out with the classes and both share Edel’s passion for teaching. Along with cookery classes, ACE Kid’s Kitchen host themed personalised birthday parties and themed camps during the school holidays.
Location: Swords, Co. Dublin.
How to book: Classes and camps are advertised through Facebook and Instagram and booked through private messages with Edel – Ace_kidskitchen
The Silk Road Cookery School
The Silk Road Cookery School is Ireland’s first Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Cookery School. They teach a wide variety of classes from ones based on vegetarian Greek food to foods to enjoy at a Palestinian Brunch. All classes are hands-on and no experience is required to participate.
Location: Kimmage, Dublin 12
How to book: https://silkroadcafe.ie/cookery-school.php
Ballinakill Cookery School
Ballymaloe-trained Jane Bergin runs cooking classes for children and adults in the local community hall in Ballinakill. Classes run throughout the year with camps running during the school holidays.
Location: Ballinakill, Co. Laoise
How to book: https://www.instagram.com/ballinakillcookeryschool/
Just Cooking
Offering cooking classes for every palate and skill level, Just Cooking has a wide range of courses available throughout the year. Offering both hands-on and demonstration only courses, there are courses to suit all.
Location: Killarney, Co. Kerry
How to book: https://justcooking.ie
Hey Pesto!
Yvonne Carty’s Demo & Dine Supper Clubs are always a huge success. Participants have the opportunity to sit back and relax while Ballymaloe-trained Yvonne seamlessly whips up lots of delicious dishes. After which everyone retrieves to the dining room to enjoy every bite.
Location: Tullamore, Co. Offaly
How to book: https://heypesto.ie
Margaret’s Kitchen
Margaret’s Kitchen is a bespoke Cookery School nestled in the heart of the family’s farm, just outside Roscommon Town. Margaret focuses on sustainability, using seasonal ingredients which are sourced locally. Her husband Kevin is also a keen gardener and grows their own fruit and veg. Upcoming courses include Easy Entertaining with Margaret.
Location: Roscommon
How to book: https://margaretskitchen.ie
Picado
Picado is Ireland’s leading Mexican grocer, and at the helm is the hugely talented Lily Ramirez-Foran and her husband Alan. Lily’s love for Mexican food is infectious and her classes are educational and fun, and packed with delicious Mexican dishes. From tortilla workshops to Mexican Supper Clubs, Picado has a marvellous variety of events to enjoy.
Location: South Richmond Street, Dublin 2
How to book: https://www.picadomexican.com
More cookery classes to check out:
Alix Gardners Cookery School – Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
Pinocchio Italian Cookery School – Temple Bar, Dublin
Dingle Cookery School – Dingle, Co. Kerry
Multyfarnham Cookery School – Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath
Belfast Cookery School – Belfast, Co. Antrim
Kalbarri Cookery School – Kilcullen, Co Kildare
Howth Castle Cookery School – Howth, Co. Dublin
Ryeland House Cookery School – Kilkenny
Bread 41– Pearse Street, Dublin 2
Another Fine Mess – Greystones. Co. Wicklow
Lucky Tortoise Dumpling Class – Temple Bar, Dublin
Janet’s Dumpling Making Class – Smithfield, Dublin7
Online Cookery Classes
Something positive which occurred on the back of the pandemic was the surge in online tutorials and classes. Cookery classes were made so much more accessible, and regardless of location, you could access high quality tutorials, mostly at a reasonable price. There are some schools, such as Ballymaloe, offering some of their demonstrations to an online audience, but there are others solely providing online classes. Depending on the host, the classes can often be enjoyed live, or there will be an option to receive the recording of the demonstration to watch at a time of your own convenience.
Shane Smith Online Cookery School
Specialising in all things sweet, pastry chef Shane Smith has a vast array of courses ranging from live classes to self-paced. Have you ever dreamed of mastering the technique of madeleines or perfecting the perfect lemon meringue pie? Shane has classes dedicated to individual dishes such as these delights, which are pre-recorded, allowing you to watch the class as many times as you please. Savoury dishes are also on offer, with an upcoming class focusing on some stunning summer salads.
How to book: https://chefshanesmith.ie/cookery-school/
Tara Walker Food
Tara Walker ran East Coast Cookery School in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth for 10 years, but since the pandemic Tara has been offering her cookery classes online. She has mastered the art of uncomplicated cooking, and her recipes are easy-to-follow and packed with flavour. Tara allows for participants to cook along with her live by providing a full recipe pack with ingredient and equipment lists in advance. Upcoming courses include A Mexican Feast.
How to book: https://www.tarawalker.ie
More online cookery classes to check out –
