Matriarch of Ballymaloe celebrates her 90th birthday

From past and present, staff at Ballymaloe House gathered last night to help the renowned matriarch of modern Irish cuisine, Myrtle Allen, blow out the candles ahead of her 90th birthday.

They also presented her with a portrait of herself painted by the renowned portrait artist, Gentian Lulanaj, who has a studio and gallery on the grounds of Ballymaloe House.