Ireland’s picture-perfect castles, stunning landscapes, and beautiful resorts make it an amazing destination wedding destination. Whether you are looking for a traditional wedding or small ceremony followed by celebrating at a pub, Ireland provides plenty of variety to suit your needs.
Ireland Castle & Mansion Wedding Venues
Newtown Castle
Since the 16th century, the Newtown Castle has retained its prominence in Ballyvaughan. Located in the heart of the Burren in the West of Ireland, it provides a pleasing agrestic venue for an intimate wedding ceremony. It’s easy to be dazzled by its unique architectural features. Climb the stone steps of the four-story castle tower to enter the Main Hall, and recite your vows to the soft music of a crackling fire and the smell of turf filling the room.
Dunluce Castle
North Antrim’s sturdy coastline, along with the spectacular remains of Dunluce Castle, provides the ultimate backdrop for a fairytale ceremony. What better place exists for the perfect elopement ceremony?
Its woolgathering site is flanked by rolling fields of green grass and endless sea views – to have your ceremony up there, you simply have to get there, take a few steps up and say the vows you have prepared.
Huntington Castle
This castle in Carlow provides not only one, but two truly beautiful spots for your ceremony- a shaded, 600-year-old yew walk and 14th century Abbey ruins that are located in front of the castle. The view is inviting and dreamy. The wedding planning staff can provide a full range of services from a simple venue rental to full wedding planning.
The Orangery at Killruddery
Killruddery is home to one of the most romantic rooms in the country – the Orangery. It has a glass ceiling and beautiful ornate detailing, this space gives off an airy feel. Kilruddery also offers a choice of outdoor ceremony spaces, including the farmyard at the Grain Store.
With multiple rooms and options, brides can have unique access to an exceptional heritage mansion and world-renowned gardens – with intimate, surprising venues around the estate for an unforgettable party.
Gardens and Forests Wedding Venues
Loughcrew Gardens
Loughcrew Gardens is one of Ireland’s well-reserved secrets, so it is indeed a special thing to get married at the ruins of St. Oliver Plunkett’s Family Church, in the grounds of the Loughcrew Gardens, surrounded by five-thousand-year-old cairns and ancient yews.
Beyond the ruins that make for stunning photos, the Loughcrew Estate provides several options in venues for a reception and a wedding coordinator to help you with all the details.
The Gardens at Drenagh Estate
The Moon Garden is a very serene spot on the grounds at Drenagh Estate. It is an intimate place to exchange wedding vows in the outdoors seating up to 140 guests. For a larger wedding, the Walled Garden on the Estate grounds is the perfect place, seating up to 275 people.
The Weeping Beech Tree at Bellinter House
The Bellinter House is a beautiful Georgian manor house known for its ancient trees, mature gardens and gorgeous views of the River Boyne. The centerpiece of the grounds is a big, old weeping beech tree on the front lawn of the historic house. The tree is so sensational, the house now offers the space as a location for outdoor wedding ceremonies!
The Enchanted Forest at Killyon Manor
Killyon Manor in Meath is an infrequent combination of bohemian and rustic, making this forest the perfect avenue for a romantic, offbeat and memorable wedding. The forest features lots of freaky corners but the main feature is the beautiful ruins, which creates a totally unique backdrop for your vows.
Outdoors Wedding Venues
The Cliffs of Moher
They are probably the most exciting place in Ireland for people to exchange their vows. Located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, the Cliffs of Moher are the highlight of the Irish coastline, providing unique views of the vast Atlantic Ocean. For a truly unique destination wedding in Ireland, get married at the Cliffs of Moher while walking up the aisle to the sounds of the Celtic harp, having an Irish ceremony so traditional in nature, and getting married at the edge of Ireland.
To get married at the Cliffs of Moher, simply show up and enter like a normal visitor and find a place off the path to have the ceremony.
Howth Head
Howth Head is a perfect location for a ceremony close to Dublin that provides an amazing ocean view. The narrow walking path along the south-east edge of the peninsula offers a wonderful view with the best observation spot of the Baily Lighthouse.
Portbradden Harbour
Another high view style wedding ceremony venue. The central viewpoint at Portbradden Harbour in County Antrim is large enough to accommodate a dozen or so guests. While tying the knot, you might even spot some dolphins swimming around in Whitepark Bay.
Temples, Abbeys and Church Wedding Venues
St. Ciaran’s Monastery
Teampall Chiarain can be found in the village of Mainistir in the Aran Islands, just offshore of Doolin near the Cliffs of Moher. It dates back to the 12th century and stands on the old site of Mainistir Chonnacht. This location uniquely features several old tearmann crosses, the most striking of these is located to the east of the church and is believed to have been used as a sundial. Traditionally islanders draw a handkerchief or scarf through the hole for luck or fertility, making Teampall Chiaráin a truly unique place in which to say ‘I do’. The ruins are quite small making it perfect for a small ceremony.
Corcomroe Abbey
Exceptional beauty can be found in the 13th-century ruins of Corcomroe Abbey which sits amongst the rocky hills of the Burren in Co. Clare. It was founded for monks around 1195 as a daughter house of the Abbey at Inisloughnaght, Co. Tipperary. Part of the Abbey is sheltered too. It is a perfect spot for a sweet Irish ceremony!
Mussenden Temple
This temple is found on a cliff edge of Northern Ireland. Mussenden Temple proudly offers heart-stopping views and intimate surroundings. All it takes to create a day you would always remember is to have your wedding in the temple.
These are some of the best wedding venues in Ireland. It is very important to note that some of these places aren’t suitable for all types of ceremonies. Catholic weddings or HSE-approved civil ceremonies may not be approved in some of these venues, but they are all perfect for self-written ceremonies and blessings. You will definitely need to check with each individual wedding venue to see what your ceremony options are, whether you can have a legal wedding or simply a symbolic ceremony on-site.
He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club.
Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.