Castleknock Hotel or DunBoyne Castle

nemo32

Hi Everyone, Opinions please... I have to decide between the 2 venues and not sure which one will be the one for me. I'm having a civil cermony in the hotel and then approx 90 people for a sit down.. Anyone been to both venues? What did you think of the food and venue? Thanks everyone, need to make a decision this week.

smelltheglove

My sister got married in Castleknock just as it opened. She booked before they even opened actually. It was lovely. The Dunboyne Castle hotel is gorgeous too. Now I havent been to either in a while but if memory serves me correctly the Castleknock hotel for photos really only has open spaces. We were freezing getting our pics taken and a lot of the pics were taken inside due to the fact that out on the golf course it was just too cold with the wind wherea the Dunboyne castle isnt so wide open, again if memory serves me correctly. I think Dunboyne may be more photogenic. I cant talk about the food in Dunboyne but it was lovely in Castleknock. The rooms were expensive though. 4 years ago they were around 180 a night.

nemo32

Yeah the pictures are the main reason I'd go with Dunboyne at the mo.. thanks smellthglove

clint_silver

I play in a wedding band that plays in both very regularly since they opened. Very little between them, Ive recommended both to people who were venue hunting. staff very nice in both, both newish venues. Id shade castleknock ever so slightly for my own reasons which shouldnt affect your choice so I wont mention them here.

I would have thought 90 a bit small for the main room in dunboyne. they have a smaller function room downstairs that while not a ballroom type effort was quite intimate for the times Ive played it. A sparse room can make a bit of a difference for atmosphere.

castleknock function room can be closed off to different sizes.

but very little in it.

dori_dormer

I agree with clint silver above on the room size. If they are offering you the main room in dunboyne its enormous! Was at a wedding a few weeks ago there that had 150 guests and it still looked a little sparse. Havent seen their smaller room tho as last Xmas when we were looking to book a venue ourselves it wasnt finished.
Photo opportunities in dunboyne are also much better than castleknock.

RIRI

We got married in Dunboyne in July. We had about 90 in the main room & it didn't feel too big at all to be honest.
I haven;t been to Castleknock I have heard good things

One thing to keep in mind is the room rate, dunboyne was only €105 B&B per room so €50 a head which is very affordable for your guests.

best of luck what ever you decide

amdublin

Both lovely but I personally prefer Castleknock.

Silcocky

I was at both for weddings and was more 'surprised' by Dunboyne, wasn't expecting to be so impressed to be honest. If its a Summer wedding, the deck is amazing on a good day for your smoking guests (or those who like a drink in the sun!).

Castleknock is fab too though - really modern reception and bar area. It was a winter wedding so can't remember where the smokers had to go...

Food was good both places....I think I'd go for whoever gives the best deal at this stage, theres very little in it. If a gun was put to my head with the exact same package on the table, I'd probably go Castleknock for the interior and cause their rooms are fab...didn't see them in DC.

(p.s CH was doing an offer a mth or so ago where if you booked it, you got a free week in their sister hotel in Benalmedena, the well reviewed Sunset Beach!)

Borderfox

Tried both and prefer Dunboyne, the room in Castleknock was L shaped for the wedding I did there and it just didnt suit. As above Dunboyne is much more photogenic, watch that revolving door though it doesnt take prisoners!!

tatli_lokma

I haven't been to a wedding in both, but have stayed at both as a guest
and was at a wedding fair in Castleknock.

Personally I would go with Dunboyne - I think it looks much more charming from outside (the car park is off to the side, so the front entrance is much nicer), the old building is lovely, the grounds are nicer. The hotel itself is really nice.

If it were me I'd go for Dunboyne (and if you do, point your guests to the bargain alerts forum here so they can get cheap room rates! )