Escape to beautiful and Romantic Irish Castles to host your dream Irish wedding celebrations. Ireland is full of incredible castles. You can take your pick from a selection of stunning locations featuring the old grandeur of royalty, luxury accommodation, attentive staff and excellent food. Why not turn your wedding into a 2-day event with a range of activities available to keep your guests entertained including archery, private boat tours and immaculate golf courses. Many castles offer a range of magical settings for your dream ceremony. This is the only list you’ll need to plan your dream romantic Irish castle wedding.
Ashford Castle, Galway
Ashford Castle needs no introduction, as it is an ancient 800-year-old castle once home to the Guinness family. This castle is a romantic and timeless venue with truly exceptional service. Set amongst woodland, manicured gardens and overlooking Lough Corrib, it’s the perfect place for a lavish celebration. The Lakeside Hideaway Cottage can accommodate up to 160 guests. This is the perfect place for your wedding party to enjoy the full castle experience without interruption. Your ceremony can take place in the elegant Drawing Room or in the beautiful castle gardens. Following the ceremony, enter The Oak hall for a show-stopping wedding banquet. Kick off the celebrations with drinks and entertainment in the Drawing Room. After the celebrations, retire to the Reagan Presidential Suite to put your feet up. Extend your celebrations into the weekend and enjoy a range of unforgettable activities on the estate including falconry, horse riding, and golf.
Check out an Ashford Castle Wedding gallery here!
Dromoland Castle, Clare
You can experience the history and grandeur of the Dromoland Castle for your dream Irish wedding. Arrive by horse-drawn carriage and exchange vows in the walled garden. Are you getting married in the summer months? Make the most of the beautiful weather and enjoy a champagne reception in the manicured gardens. Then sit down to feast in the lavish surroundings of Brian Boru Hall.
Dromoland Castle can host up to 480 guests so it’s perfect for a big celebration.
Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara.
Set in a private 700-acre estate in the heart of Connemara, Ballynahinch Castle offers a private enclave amongst stunning scenery. This venue can accommodate up to 48 guests within the castle and up to 140 guests on the premise. Designed to give the atmosphere of ‘house parties’ of the past, there is an old-world decadence associated with the castle. With a backdrop of the 12 Ben’s mountain range, you can make the most of the outdoors with an array of activities to choose from. Set along the Wild Atlantic Way along with the west coast, you can extend your stay and use it as the perfect base for exploring the rest of what Ireland has to offer before jetting off on your honeymoon.
Castle Durrow, Laois
Situated in a 300-year-old estate surrounded by forests and beautiful walled gardens, Castle Durrow is a magnificently romantic wedding venue. You can host all of your family and friends from across the world as you have exclusive use of the castle for your wedding. With a capacity of 230 for the drinks reception and catering for up to 170 for dinner, there’s plenty of room for even the longest of guest lists. Activities available include archery and clay pigeon shooting which will keep your guests entertained the day after the wedding. If you are looking to have a 2 or 3-day event, Castle Durrow can host a day after BBQ or an intimate family-only rehearsal dinner.
Luttrellstown Castle, Dublin.
Looking for a private hire castle, but don’t want to travel far? Look no further than Luttrellstown Castle. Just 15 minutes from Dublin city centre, Luttrellstown is ideal for couples wanting the grandeur and seclusion of a castle with an intimate atmosphere. Depending on the guest list, there are plenty of options to choose from when considering where to have your ceremony and reception. The Van Stry Ballroom can host up to 120 guests. The Kentian Room can accommodate up to 60 for dinner and up to 100 for your ceremony. You can also choose to celebrate your nuptials in the three-story 35,000 square foot Clubhouse. The Clubhouse features two bars, a beautiful restaurant, and one of the best views of Dublin. The castle features 12 luxurious bedrooms with extensive accommodation options available nearby. Make your stay truly unforgettable by renting the castle for the weekend. Wondering what to do for your day after? You can enjoy the 18-hole championship golf course, take in the 567 acres of private parkland or relax with your guest’s with a delicious BBQ featuring the best entertainment.
Castle Leslie, Monaghan
Castle Leslie is ideal for those looking for authentic original interiors and renowned hospitality. Located in Glaslough, Monaghan, just 80 minutes from Dublin, Castle Leslie is set within 1000 acres of private parkland. For your ceremony, opt to tie the knot in the castle with its old-world grandeur. The castle can host up to 100 for your ceremony. Alternatively, you can hold your ceremony in St. Salvator’s Church on the estate or on the grounds overlooking the lake. For a larger guest list, the Pavilion can host up to 180 guests.
Steeped in history, the castle features beautiful antiques and elegant interiors and can accommodate up to 20 guests. The Lodge, Old Stable Mews and Village Cottages can accommodate up to 100 guests. You can have exclusive use of the castle or pavilion for your wedding, whether you choose a one-day or a three-day weekend celebration. There’s plenty to keep your guests entertained, with horseback riding, fishing, and in-house massage and treatments at the Victorian Treatment Rooms.
Kilkea Castle
Begin your wedding day in an ancient 800-year-old castle overlooking 180 acres of stunning grounds. With the added luxury of a hands-on dedicated wedding team, you can take your time sipping your champagne as you settle those butterflies before your walk down the aisle.
Choose from nine beautifully appointed spaces within the castle for your ceremony or say your vows in the rose garden. Dine in the opulent Baronial Hall which seats up to 270 guests before. With 140 beautiful bedrooms and a dedicated Bridal lodge and a 2 bedroomed enclave for you to get ready in privacy, there’s plenty of accommodation options for your guests.
Unwind on the 18 hole championship golf course, visit the on-site spa or take a private boat tour on the river Barrow and enjoy your weekend at Kilkea.
Waterford Castle
Fancy tying the knot in a 16th-century castle? Situated on its own private island, it couldn’t get more intimate than Waterford Castle! With 310 acres surrounding it, there is plenty of space to explore with beautiful views across the bay. With beautifully ornate windows, intimate ceremony space and your pick of nineteen gorgeous rooms, it’s such a stunning choice for your wedding. With nineteen bedrooms in the main castle and a choice of lodges around the grounds, you’ll be able to invite all of your closest family and friends. This is an intimate venue that will allow you to escape from the noise of the city and focus on marking this incredible chapter in your lives.
Click here to see a full Waterford Castle Wedding!
Barberstown Castle, Kildare
Nestled in the Kildare countryside, the 13th-century Barberstown Castle is an ideal setting for an intimate wedding celebration.
Host your dream ceremony within the old castle walls in the conservatory featuring an ancient tapestry. If you have dreamt of having your wedding outdoors, tie the knot in the private evergreen gardens or under the ancient ash tree in the landscaped forest.
After your ceremony, you can choose to host your drinks reception on the lawn under the ancient ash tree or ensconce yourself in the warmth of the medieval rooms within the castle. The setting for dinner is the magnificent medieval banqueting hall featuring antique chandeliers that instantly take you back in time. Seating up to 250 guests, there’s an abundance of space for entertaining even the biggest guest list.
There’s a range of amazing activities to keep your guests occupied. Abbeyfield Farm is just 5 minutes away, where you can enjoy horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, and archery provided.
Sprawling junior suites featuring four-poster beds, plush bedding all expertly decorated. There are 55 bedrooms, accommodating over 100 guests. Your guests will have the best sleep after all of the celebrations.
Markree Castle, Sligo
Showcasing the best of what Sligo has to offer, Markree Castle is a gothic style castle situated amongst the picturesque landscape of the Sligo countryside. With beautiful grounds, incredible local food and attentive staff, Markree is an amazing choice for your wedding.
Arrive by horse and carriage or by boat via the boathouse. Hold your ceremony in your choice of locations: the castle terrace overlooking the rose garden, under the trees in the forest, or in the onsite chapel.
Your guests will be kept entertained at the drinks reception in the Grand Hall, while you and your partner get to relax in the Billiard Room with your own private Mini Bar before sitting down for your five-course banquet.
Guests can retire to one of the 31 en-suite bedrooms within the castle.
Durhamstown Castle, Meath
Looking for a more intimate setting for your wedding? Look no further than Durhamstown Castle. As you drive up the meandering driveway, you are met by wild meadows and the great entrance door to the castle. Full of charm and character, the castle is perfect for the couple looking for a relaxed celebration.
After the ceremony, guests will walk through the walled garden towards the Great Barn for where dinner will be served. With exposed wooden beams and vaulted ceilings, the Great Barn can seat up to 155 guests.
There are 7 bedrooms in the castle itself with The Coach House and Bolt Hole lodges sleeping 5-6 guests each.
These are just a few of the Romantic Irish Castles you can have your dream Irish wedding at.
Check out my other Irish wedding and elopement resources here if you are planning your own fairytale Irish Elopement!
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