Wedding venues in Dungarvan/Clonmel area?

Dostoevsky

We have had a very busy few weekends searching for a wedding venue.

My fiancée has settled on the church and it's in the Nire Valley between Clonmel and Dungarvan but now we are struggling to find a solid wedding venue in the area. Unfortunately, she's not for turning on the church.

As far as we can see so far, the choice is between Raheen House in Clonmel and the Park Hotel in Dungarvan. We are willing to go 50km or so from the Nire to find a suitable venue.

The managers of both places have been really sound and reasonable. They were both very keen to do business and accommodate us even though both places are booming and always have something on. In contrast, we went to the Minella in Clonmel and liked it enough to seriously consider it - it's the only 4 star in the area, as far as we can see - but the guy who owns it was extraordinarily "unhelpful" to be very polite about it (he is, by all accounts, a legend in aforesaid department). So, on that basis alone, the Minella is firmly out.

We travelled to Kilshane House and it was amazing to see it done up for a wedding, but at €130 per person we might as well have travelled to another planet. At present, numberwise we are thinking of between 150 and 180. That is turning out to be problem in this part of Ireland.

The hotel with the most amazing view in the area (if not in Ireland) seems to be the Bay View Hotel in Ballycotton. We couldn't believe it. However, according to a note on the door it does not re-open until April so we didn't get to talk with anybody. Moreover, it has a wedding limit of 90 persons.

Lawlors in Dungarvan has improved hugely in the past six months but, with a substantial amount of work to do on the back exterior of the hotel, we are not seriously considering it yet. Again, the manager there was also very keen to do business and it was very worthwhile talking with him just to know the Park's opposition. In a nutshell, he was significantly undercutting the Park in every area.

Raheen House, unlike the Park (or Lawlor's), will give us exclusive access for the day. That is a real bonus. On the other hand, it has a limit of 120 people and after that we will have to get a marquee, which they are willing to do. The Park can easily hold the 150-180, the manager was really accommodating and we went in on the qt today and tasted the food in the bar and it was excellent. The Park also has good views of the sea just beside it. On the negative side, the bathrooms need to be done up and simple things like weeds, damage to walls etc need to be done. The hotel was absolutely jammers on the four occasions we've been there so far so they are clearly getting the money in.

So, would anybody have any advice on venues in this region or views on any of the above venues?

Thanks.

billybunty

Hi
We are getting married in the Park hotel.
Would have picked Raheen house but the numbers didn't work for us as we have thesame numbers as yourself.
We did the same research as yourself also.
Park hotel are pro's - they do this every weekend and while most of the hotel has recently been renovated we have been assured they are continuing to do so with the areas you highlighted.
If you need any more info feel free to PM me.

billybunty

Oh - forgot to say, isn't Hanoras cottage or something like that I think its called up in the Nire Valley doing wedding receptions now. Worth googling perhaps.

Lindilo

hi, getting married in The Park later in the year.Totally agree with op about toilets and weeds etc. It is only a small thing but i think next time i speak to the hotel i will mention this. We were dealing with manager and he couldnt have been more helpful.
As for Raheen, it is a really lovely spot but my numbers were too high and i didnt want people spread in to the side room.
Too right about Minella. Looked here too for our big day but we felt like they just presumed they had our business. Didnt try to sell their beautiful hotel at all and we couldnt be dealing with that certain gentleman for the run up to our wedding or on the day.
If you are willing to travel what about Garryvoe hotel.Was at a wedding there 3 years ago. really lovely location and couldnt fault a thing on the day www.garryvoehotel.com
...one more thing about the Park hotel... i think the room really benefits from hiring chair covers and back drop...seen the before and after pics and i really think its money well spent.

Oh....just thought of some where else to talk to.....Knocklofty House has reciently been been take over by new manager and it is doing very well. Its is a FAB location. definately worth going for a chat...His name is Steven Wier...http://www.knockloftyhousehotel.com/.

Dostoevsky

Lindilo wrote: »

hi, getting married in The Park later in the year.Totally agree with op about toilets and weeds etc. It is only a small thing but i think next time i speak to the hotel i will mention this. We were dealing with manager and he couldnt have been more helpful.
As for Raheen, it is a really lovely spot but my numbers were too high and i didnt want people spread in to the side room.
Too right about Minella. Looked here too for our big day but we felt like they just presumed they had our business. Didnt try to sell their beautiful hotel at all and we couldnt be dealing with that certain gentleman for the run up to our wedding or on the day.
If you are willing to travel what about Garryvoe hotel.Was at a wedding there 3 years ago. really lovely location and couldnt fault a thing on the day www.garryvoehotel.com
...one more thing about the Park hotel... i think the room really benefits from hiring chair covers and back drop...seen the before and after pics and i really think its money well spent.

Oh....just thought of some where else to talk to.....Knocklofty House has reciently been been take over by new manager and it is doing very well. Its is a FAB location. definately worth going for a chat...His name is Steven Wier...http://www.knockloftyhousehotel.com/.

Thanks to both of you. Knocklofty only take 100 - but what an amazing view it has over the river! We went down to Garryvoe and its very well kitted out inside - we were just a bit disappointed that the sea isn't visible from inside the hotel and that its so sparse around there. It is a nice beach though (and we would love to have our wedding beside water). We have heard that the food is very good in the Garryvoe and that it is good for weddings. Maybe if we all say to the Park again about the toilets etc it will have an impact. The manager is lovely to deal with - you're right about that.

Dostoevsky

PS hanora's cottage only does v small weddings but some of our family might stay there as its right beside the church