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A WELL-KNOWN American lifestyle influencer has brought her family to Cork to attend the Ballymaloe Cookery School.
Hannah Neeleman, also known as Ballerina Farm, visited the rebel county in November with her husband Daniel and their eight children, and apparently they took a liking to it.
The family’s base is Utah, where they have a 328-acre farm. Neeleman (34) named it Ballerina Farm, as she gave up her career as a professional ballet dancer to have a family and run the homestead.
Husband Daniel is the son of David Neeleman, billionaire founder of major airline JetBlue.
The couple have five daughters and three sons that range in age from one year to 12 years. They’re homeschooled on the farm by a teacher who comes in each day.
In an Instagram reel of the couple, in chef’s uniforms, Neeleman wrote: “Daniel and I moved the gang across the pond for the next little while to attend Chef school. First day of school for mom and dad.”
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Ballymaloe, located in Shanagarry, is one of Ireland’s most famous cookery schools. Run by Darina Allen, the enterprise boasts a 100-acre organic farm, where ingredients for their classes, as well as their relishes are produced.
Those who wish to learn from chef and food writer Allen can take one of the school’s many courses, which range in price from €85 for a half day to €16,295 for 12 weeks.
They focus on farm-to-table dishes and the “Slow Food Movement”.
Neeleman did not give details on which course she and her husband are doing, but she said in a TikTok video that they will be out of the States “for some time”.
On a video update yesterday where she is seen making jam, dessert and a quiche, Neeleman captioned the reel: “Only a few days in and culinary school is teaching me and inspiring me tremendously. I love creating beautiful food with beautiful ingredients- loving it!”
Watch on TikTok
Many of Ballymaloe’s ex-pupils have gone on to be successful in the food business. These include author and TV chef Clodagh McKenna, and Jack Crotty, owner of Rocket Man food delivery service.
Chef and TV personality and Rachel Allen (née O’Neill) graduated from the school as a teenager and went on to marry Darina’s son Isaac.
Last year, the Ballerina Farm family became engulfed in controversy after an article in The Times of London.
A journalist had joined Neeleman and her clan at their home for a day, interviewing and photographing them.
The article, by Megan Agnew, sparked discourse as portraying Neeleman as a woman trapped in a conservative bubble.
Meanwhile, others lauded the reporting, saying it lifted the veil off the “trad wife” movement that had risen in popularity on TikTok.
The family’s values have been repeatedly questioned by online onlookers, some expressing concern for Neeleman’s wellbeing, others bashing her for “undoing feminism” by promoting strict gender roles in marriage and the home.
After the article came out, Ballerina Farm was subject to an influx of abuse online.
Neeleman responded in a video post to her social media accounts, saying she was “shocked” by the words that were published and the way she was portrayed. She called it an attack on her family and her marriage.
This prompted The Times to publish a follow-up piece and release the voice recordings of the conversations from the day in question.
Some viewers continue to criticise Neeleman and her husband, expressing rage at incidents such as Neeleman’s birthday last year. She posted a video saying she’d asked her husband for a trip to Greece and he instead got her an apron, which she said she was happy with.
Despite this, she continues to post on the Ballerina Farm social media accounts, sharing her recipes, tips and struggles. Some viewers speculate that the content is “rage bait”, meaning Neeleman makes videos to spark outrage as it is more profitable. However, Neeleman maintains the content is authentic.
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‘trad wife’? Can’t wait to hear her play the fiddle.
@JB Software: Republicans trying to force women to be birthers and nothing more
@F1rYnpWc: Well if that’s what these women are, they should be getting a round of applause. Pro-life women are good people who recognise that you don’t have to commit a barbaric act on an innocent baby to be “free.” Someday we will view abortion to be just as morally repugnant and reprehensible as slavery, despite efforts from people like you who lobby the government to ban women from seeing the ultrasound before getting an abortion.
@Frank O’Hara: being barefoot and pregnant and chained to a kitchen is slavery
@helen mary fitzsimons: maybe they like it
Eugh. Go back to Utah. Gowl.
I welcome paying visitors to Ireland.
@Gavan Hogan: But we hate the people that ARE here. ‘this is the way’
Is Darina still married to the nonce?
@Chutes Idiot: not sure about the son but her husband, Issac, was declared bankrupt last summer
Lol, trad’ billionaires!
I’m surprised the comments are open…
@stephen deegan: Quality bait, bound to sell some advertising.
“Honey, you know what I’d love….a trip to Greece”. “Grease! luv, I got you covered, here’s an apron”.
Quality messin’.
Why are we supposed to listen to someone who’s whole stick is she should know her place, be seem and not heard?
as Mrs Merton asked Debbie McG, so what was it that attracted you to the millionaire Paul D
of course she’s a “trad wife” She can afford to be as the daughter in law of a millionaire. She doesn’t home school her kids she pays a teacher to teach them at home, big difference. She can afford to hire help with everything. Not your typical housewife. She doesn’t have to worry about paying to put food on the table or a roof over her family’s head which is the reality for ordinary women. She is deluded and it would be interesting to see what Rachael Allen makes of it all, seeing she is the total oppisite of a “trad wife”.
Another social media trend that easily changes how people think . Just goes to show how lost and void of values western society is.
Hobby farmer. I’d say he’s no dirt under his finger nails, except whe the bog roll tears
I don’t know who they are, but if they warranted their own article, they must be celebrities. Therefore, as paying tourists in Ireland, I welcome their business. No doubt they will attract more people over here when they broadcast their holiday to their X or Facebook followers or whatever social media that they’re on.
News?????
I can see it now: The Handmaid’s Cookbook – a recipe tie-in…
We had a Californian family of five, Mum, Dad and their three teenage daughters come to our cooking school in France a few years ago. They had one simple request before each meal. Could they please sing? It was such a memorable experience and a joy to behold!
@French Dining School: USA is a parallel universe in many places as, I’m sure they think the same of Europeans..
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