Kilronan Castle versus Lough Eske Castle

Sligo1

Hi All,

My fiance and I got engaged not so long ago and are currently looking at venues for our wedding. We have narrowed it down to Kilronan Castle on Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon or Solis Lough Eske Castle in Donegal. Although I probably prefer Lough Eske's venue room I felt they were a little inflexible. Whereas Kilronan seem so eager to please and very accommodating! Any feedback from anyone who has been to a wedding in the 2 venues and could make a comparison would be very much appreciated!!!

Thanks a million!

deskgirl

First of all can I just say - both venues are absolutely fabulous!! Although Lough Eske is by far my favourite, the one major downfall is that the bar is not is the room. At the wedding I was at very few people were out dancing as they were congregating at the bar and out in the smoking area. The bedrooms were stunning and the breakfast out of this world - we definitely can't wait to go back there.

Rew

Kilronan is quite a big function room and you would want to have at least 150 there in the evening to make it feel full. Lovely hotel, didn't go near the spa as it was extra money to use. Breakfast was lovely and the room they serve it in is really nice.

Its a bit of a walk to get back to the rooms which means guests don't tend to wonder off and stay in the function area. Lough at Kilronans sister hotel Lough Rinn as well, its the nicer of the two but its smaller has some disadvantages.

Sligo1

thanks for all the helpful comments guys.

does anyone else have any feedback.

keyboardcook

I personally think the food is better in Kilronan, although the previous posters comment about the size of the room is very valid.

Weddings in Kilronan always run on time, where Lough Eske can fall behind on service.

If you are having guests from both sides of the country, them Kilronan definitely, as Lough Eske if four hours from Dublin.

lazygal

Lough Eske, while beautiful, is a long way from most people. We live in Dublin so would be looking at staying two nights as we wouldn't want a huge drive on the wedding day. It's a pricey hotel to stay in. Also, I know from our wedding people with children will think twice about going a long way to attend a wedding and if you don't invite kids (we didn't) expect a decline rate or one of a couple to attend. I'd factor in where people are coming from and decide if its worth asking them to travel so far and commit to a possible two night stay.

Sligo1

Thanks again guys. Myself and my fiance live in Dublin but we are both from Sligo. So while a few people will be coming from Dublin, the majority will be travelling from Sligo. We are leaning more towards Kilronan as they seem so flexible and it would be a 25minute drive from our church as opposed to an hour drive to Lough Eske! However... Would really appreciate anymore feedback or comparisons on the actual venues.. eg. ballrooms and the overall wedding event in the venues. Thanks again :-)

Middleeastern

Sligo1 wrote: »

Hi All,

My fiance and I got engaged not so long ago and are currently looking at venues for our wedding. We have narrowed it down to Kilronan Castle on Ballyfarnon, Co. Roscommon or Solis Lough Eske Castle in Donegal. Although I probably prefer Lough Eske's venue room I felt they were a little inflexible. Whereas Kilronan seem so eager to please and very accommodating! Any feedback from anyone who has been to a wedding in the 2 venues and could make a comparison would be very much appreciated!!!

Thanks a million!

Dear Sligo1
I was groomsman at a wedding in Kilronan just before new years eve and I have to commend Kilronan and their team on what they delivered. The staff could not do any more for us and the guests, nothing was a problem for them both on the day of the wedding and the days before and after when we were staying there. The attention to us at the top table was without flaw and the feedback from the guests was exceptional as regards the food, the service and the overall atmosphere that Kilronan created.The rooms in the castle itself which are reserved for the wedding party are second to none and have been tastefully restored in keeping with the castle itself. The food both for room service, in the small bar at the end of the corridor and the restaurant was brilliant.
I cannot comment on Lough Eske other than its a beautiful area up there beside the lake as I havent attended a wedding there.
I thought that I would pass this on to you and based on the 4 days spent at Kilronan, it would be hard to beat.
All the best with your decision making.

eviancool

Congrats on your engagement!! This is a brilliant website to find opinions on weddings where brides past and future talk about pros and cons to venues... www.weddingsonline.ie - search in the forums! also it provides plenty of tips for wedding planning! Enjoy it all!

ACMHN

Just wondering which hotel ye decided on sligo1? Both hotels are stunning! We're also trying to decide between them, it's very hard!

Monife

We had our wedding meal in Kilronan (ie: didn't book the function room, only 50 guests, had it in a gorgeous room overlooking the grounds). From what I experienced of Kilronan, it was just fab. The food was amazing and everyone commented on how good the food was. The staff were all really nice and even though we were only having a meal there, they pulled out all the stops with red carpet, champagne on arrival for us, personalised menu's and place names and full use of the grounds for pictures. All the staff knew our names and were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend.

Sligo1

Hi ACMHN

We decided to go for Kilronan. Both venues were beautiful. However, Kilronan really made us feel that on the day our wedding would be their priority, whereas, Lough Eske failed to instill those feelings in us. Kilronan's staff were excellent! So professional and attentive and left us in no doubt that if any assistance was needed on the day they would do all they could to provide us with it. As both venues are nice to look at, we decided on Kilronan mainly because of the service and hospitality of the staff that attended to us on the 2 days we came to veiw the castle. Kilronan really seemed to have the whole package whereas Lough Eske just seemed to have the looks. Goodluck!!

Sligo1

P.S. Thank you all for the great comments!

Dostoevsky

Beirne's pub of Battlebridge would make a superb post-wedding venue if you're going for Kilronan. It's a legend of a pub, next to the River Shannon and with famous trad music seisiúin at night. The only reason we couldn't go for it is that we couldn't find sufficient accommodation for the night since the Marina hotel in Leitrim village closed.

Beirne's pub

On your way to Battlebridge from Kilronan, you'll pass the grave of no less than the great Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin (1670-1738) on your way from Kilronan to Keadue (on the left). It's worth dropping in if you have a grá for history.