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But Darina has still defended running the classes, saying she felt a 'strong responsibility' towards the students who had arrived in Ireland in late December for two weeks of quarantine.
'They had travelled long distances. Some have taken three-month career breaks. We felt we had a duty of care to these students,' said the chef.
The students had reportedly booked residential places on Ballymaloe’s 12-week Certificate Course, due to start on January 4, but were left in limbo when a full level 5 lockdown was announced on December 30.
Darina explained that after their 14-day quarantine, the students agreed to enter a ‘Ballymaloe bubble'.