Best venues for destination wedding in Ireland
Best Venues for Destination Wedding in Ireland
In this blog post, the team of Peach Perfect Weddings has teamed up with In Love Photography to discuss the best venues for a destination wedding in Ireland and why they are your best options for a European wedding.
Best Venues for a Destination Wedding in Ireland
The Emerald Isle is fast becoming one of the most sought after countries for a destination wedding in Europe. There are so many reasons why it’s a great place for couples to tie the knot, and one of them is a wide selection of gorgeous venues for different types of weddings.
If you’re looking to have an adventure elopement on an outdoor location, there are breathtaking cliffs in Co. Clare that lends a view to the Atlantic Ocean. If you want a fairytale wedding, there’s a long list of castles in Ireland that can be rented exclusively for your big day.
If a more historic vibe is what you’re aiming for, choose from among Ireland’s castle ruins and century-old abbeys. But if all you want is a laidback elopement, we recommend a local pub that serves overflowing authentic Irish beer!
Let’s take a closer look at some of these wedding venues and see which one suits you best!
Newtown Castle
This 16th-century medieval castle, sitting in the midst of Co. Clare’s unique geographical site, can be a fascinating elopement venue for couples who want something unique for their big day. Unlike the other charming castles in Ireland, Newtown is simply one of a kind, with its tall and narrow architecture and a distinct pyramidical base.
It’s a perfect venue for “guest-less” elopements and intimate weddings with up to 20 people. You can have the ceremony at the Minstrels Gallery overlooking the Main Hall, which can comfortably seat up to 20 guests.
After the ceremony, head on to the Cliffs of Moher just 30-40 minutes away, and have your photoshoot with a surreal backdrop of the Atlantic and the cliffs!
Fanningstown Castle
Dreaming of a Cinderella type of wedding with a Disney princess outfit? Ireland can take care of the venue while you’re busy looking for a ball gown and a pair of glass slippers! Fanningstown Castle is one of those Irish wedding venues that can give you a complete fairytale experience. From its gothic facade and rich foliage to its antique furnishings and classy interiors, there’s that truly royal ambience everywhere in this venue.
Cliff at Lyons
Cliffs at Lyons is an all-in-one wedding venue with a restaurant, a cafe, a spa, and a romantic lake on its grounds. Book a room here where you can prepare for your big day and stay for the honeymoon. It’s an idyllic location not only because of its picture-perfect surroundings but because it’s only 25km away from Dublin Airport, making it easy to travel to and from.
Choose from among the indoor and outdoor options for your ceremony – one is a beautifully decorated area called the Shackleton Mill, with a cascading waterfall for your backdrop, and another is a 17th-century courtyard that offers a more laidback ambience.
Belleek Castle
Another royal residence that will leave you astounded is Co. Mayo’s Belleek Castle. This neo-gothic royal house was voted as one of the most romantic hotels in the face of Ireland.
Intimate elopement ceremonies here can take place in a grand dining room that seats up to 30 people. The gorgeous room has a large bay window where light comes in to illuminate the classy interiors of the castle. You have plenty of options for the reception afterwards because the castle has 20 uniquely decorated rooms for an intimate celebration. There’s the Tween Deck, the Library Restaurant, the Baronial Great Hall, and the Banquet Hall, among others!
Wilton Castle
How about tying the knot in a castle ruin-slash-fully-functional castle venue? You can find one and rent it exclusively for your big day at Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
The Wilton Castle is a two-fold structure with a completely operational castle on one side and a castle ruin on the other. The castle ruin on the right-wing was not restored on purpose, making it a more interesting venue for wedding ceremonies. It exudes a truly historic ambience, thanks to its red brick walls and wide-open windows that lend a view to the parkland and the forested mountains outside!
Have a memorable ceremony here with your favourite people in the world, then move the celebration indoors after your exchange of vows. Choose from among the reception halls and function rooms on the left-wing or simply have an intimate dinner outdoors at the castle’s parkland.
Slea Head & The Blasket Island Centre
We’ve shared dreamy castle venues here but we understand that not everyone wants a fairytale-themed wedding. If you’re one of those couples that just want a simple and short elopement with zero guests in a breathtaking outdoor setting in Ireland. Check out Slea Head. From here, you’ll see the rushing waves of the Atlantic, the cone-shaped rock formations from thousands of years ago, and the nature-packed landscapes of the Dingle Peninsula.
Rahinnane Castle
How about saying your vows in the heart of a castle ruin on top of a hill? If that sounds thrilling for you, then you’ll love an elopement inside the Rahinnane Castle in Co. Kerry. This elopement venue is one of the few castle ruins in Ireland that allows couples to hold a ceremony inside. Tying the knot here also means seeing the endless Emerald Isle landscape of Kerry and the scenic village of Dingle. Fall in love with the laid back ambience of rural Ireland as you smell the fresh field and walk along with the lambs and sheep after your wedding.
Glengarriff Lodge
How about saying your vows in the heart of a castle ruin on top of a hill? If that sounds thrilling for you, then you’ll love an elopement inside the Rahinnane Castle in Co. Kerry. This elopement venue is one of the few castle ruins in Ireland that allows couples to hold a ceremony inside. Tying the knot here also means seeing the endless Emerald Isle landscape of Kerry and the scenic village of Dingle. Fall in love with the laid back ambience of rural Ireland as you smell the fresh field and walk along with the lambs and sheep after your wedding.
Tigh Na Ghra
Gone are the days when couples need to postpone their elopement ceremony on the Cliffs of Moher for a few hours just to wait for the rain to stop. This converted traditional Irish barn is the answer for those who badly want the cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean as their backdrop for the ceremony… but is threatened by the windy and rainy Irish weather!
The “House of Love” (the literal Gaelic translation of Tigh Na Ghra), was particularly built for this purpose. That is, to give couples the opportunity to watch the panoramic view of the famous Irish cliffs as the ceremony unfolds while having that needed protection from the unpredictable weather.
Aside from the enclosure of the Tigh Na Ghra, it is, in all other respects, the same as eloping 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean on the Cliffs of Moher!
Loughcrew Estate
If you wish to have a spiritual ceremony for your elopement in Ireland, you can get married inside a family church inside a picturesque rolling parkland in Co. Meath! This elopement venue is perfect for couples who dream of getting married in a venue with a solemn atmosphere.
Aside from its own church, the Loughcrew Estate is also a place with laid back, family-friendly ambiance as it had been home for the Naper’s family since 1655. They’ve built interesting structures throughout the years like the medieval motte, their own St. Oliver Plunkett’s family church, along with other old buildings that still stand to this day. The new owners, on the other hand, added modern amenities like a Fairy Trail for kids and a coffee shop where you’d surely love to hang out after your elopement ceremony!
This article about “Best Wedding Venues in Ireland is by
Peach Perfect Weddings a boutique wedding planning agency that provides tailored packages for elopements, vow renewals, and intimate weddings for couples who want to get married in Europe
