Ireland’s Top 5 Country Wedding Venues
Any bride who’s dreamt of THAT fairytale wedding complete with streams, abundantly green meadows, orchards, castles and all things whimsical and otherworldly would be happy to know that a fairytale wedding doesn’t just exist in storybooks but is possible. That’s if you travel to the Irish countryside.
With all the national parks, world heritage sites, lakes and an abundance of history and heritage that comes with them, Ireland is not just idyllic but also has experiences that showcase five-star luxury, expertise and service. So, where is a couple to start when matching the practicalities of their big day with the actual fantasy? Here is our selection of Ireland’s Top 5 country venues for a destination wedding that will be big on impact both aesthetically and through service.
Powerscourt Hotel
Location: Situated just outside the quaint hamlet of Enniskerry, this crescent-shaped Palladian-style hotel is on one of the most historic estates in Ireland that dates back to the 12th century. The area is surrounded by the Wicklow Mountains and has some of the most famous scenery of the Irish countryside captured on film.
Why get married here? Aside from every vista being Instagram worthy and the constant feeling of being in an enchanted glen, the Powerscourt Hotel is the ultimate in Irish 5-star luxury. With over 200 beautifully appointed guest rooms you can offer accommodation for family and friends travelling from abroad. There is a huge range of outdoor activities for your guests to do such as the two golf courses and various walking, biking and hiking trails on the estate. There is also a luxury spa for the bridal party to take advantage of in the build up to the big day.
What sets it apart? The technology that comes with booking your wedding here. From the website you are able to manage and plan your big day with the help of the digital interface provided when you login with your details. Everything from managing your guest room lists to helping make dinner reservations, and of course planning the actual day.
Best for: The couple who’s thinking is blue-sky.
Druids Glen Hotel and Golf Resort
Location: Also in the Wicklow region, Druids Glen is ideally situated between mountain and sea. Not only rich in heritage and culture, with the picturesque villages dotted throughout but the array of natural settings from long sandy beaches to glass-like lakes, gardens that look like they’re straight out of Eden and dramatic mountains framing it all, is breath-taking.
Why get married here? The 145 spacious guestrooms and suites have been designed in a contemporary classic style that is a perfect fit with the historic surrounds of Wicklow. The comfort and luxury factor ooze from every corner here with every 5-star amenity imaginable catered to. They offer a host of different wedding packages to suit every budget and style; from the extravagance of the main ballroom to the beautifully manicured gardens, anything is possible. Just read the feedback on the website from the couples who have tied the knot here and you’ll be convinced.
What sets it apart? Aside from an assigned wedding co-ordinator and team, there are a lot of perks when booking your wedding here like a 3-month free membership to the golf club, prior to your big day. Complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom and two additional suites on the night for special guests.
Best for: Those who love golf!
Adare Manor
Location: Set just outside the storybook village of Adare, Co. Limerick, Southwest Ireland, on 840 acres of parklands that includes the Maigue River, one of Ireland’s famous trout-fishing rivers, this historic establishment is like something out of a gothic romance novel. Adare Manor was one of the most anticipated hotel openings in Europe in 2017 and since then it was the exceptional restoration of the original manor house built in 1832 that has wowed the high-flying guests. It’s an extraordinary example of where old-world and modern aesthetics and technologies merge seamlessly.
Why get married here? This is the ultimate venue for that fairytale wedding, complete with a gothic castle, gargoyles and legends of love and romance. The options are vast and the dedicated wedding planning team are hands-on at co-ordinating your guests’ itineraries, not just for the big day but for the entire stay. The in-depth knowledge of local suppliers will make your wedding planning experience a breeze especially if you’re not familiar with the area. There is also the option of booking the entire manor house for the duration of your wedding stay.
What sets it apart? It is possibly one of the most enchanting venues in Ireland and the attention to detail from the service to the architecture to the garnishing on the food really leaves guests in awe.
Best for: Those who want the real deal showstopper fairytale wedding.
Carton House Hotel
Location: A mere 20-minute drive from Dublin and you’ll find yourself at Carton House Hotel in the heart of the Irish countryside. The estate is spoiled with heritage sites such as the medieval Tyrconnell Tower and the Shell Cottage built for Queen Victoria. The hotel and golf resort are believed to date back to the 11th century and aside from the contemporary upgrades, has pretty much remained the same, with undulating green parklands and forests.
Why get married here? Because of its close proximity to Dublin, getting married here offers the best of both, to stay over with family and friends or not. The surrounds are as authentic as it gets and the dedicated wedding planning team are well versed in all things ‘dream wedding’ as they’ve been doing it for a while.
What sets it apart? Their wedding packages come with a lot of complimentary perks, like a champagne breakfast the morning after for the wedding couple, special overnight rates for 20 rooms, as well as free access to the online wedding planning service.
Best for: Those couples who have guests that don’t want to travel too far or stay over.
The Kildare Hotel and Golf Club
Location: Situated in County Kildare, west of Dublin on Straffan Estate is the KClub, originally built in the 1830’s and lovingly restored to its current glory of a 5-star luxury establishment in the 1980’s. The River Liffey runs through the estate and is abundant in various species of trout, which makes the hotel a destination for those interested in fishing. Plentiful greenery and ecosystem of the river make for a picturesque setting fully utilised for wedding photography.
Why get married here? The resort has 137 spacious guest rooms and suites, each one decorated differently and with every modern convenience imaginable, even the artworks and murals are all different from each other. The old entrance hall is a popular venue for pre-drinks boasting one of Ireland’s most impressive art collections and there are a host of different size reception halls for your wedding dinner.
What sets it apart? The array of different venue options can accommodate any budget without skimping on the authentic Irish countryside feel.
Best for: The couple who loves art.
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