Wild Atlantic Way/seafront venue suggestions

love_love

Hi everyone,

I'm back looking for venue help! We've fallen in love with the Dingle Skellig and were set on visiting it but considering how difficult it is trying to arrange for us to visit, we've had to accept that it would be too much of a trek to ask people to make. We're Dublin based, as are most of our friends and not many people drive. Even driving, it would take 4 1/2 hours, and factoring in public transport it would just be far too much to ask of anyone.

With that in mind, can anyone suggest any venues along the Wild Atlantic Way that is similar to the Dingle Skellig - specifically the massive floor to ceiling windows (click) that have a sea view? (I've just gone onto the website to get the link that image and they've updated their photos to the winter ones. I want to cry, it's so beautiful!!) I've tried going along the coast on Google maps to look at coastal hotels near to train stations (Galway, Westport, Ballina, Sligo, etc) but none seem to be taking advantage of their views by having such lovely big windows.

It could be that these places don't exist, or maybe I've already vetoed certain places because their photographs don't show the views properly, so I'd really appreciate any recommendations anyone can give - I figure local knowledge is probably going to be the best.

Alternatively, we're looking for any waterside recommendations that wouldn't be more than a 2 hour drive from Dublin (I think we'd look to help people carpool or organise a bus if it was somewhere not easily accessible by public transport). We're hoping to check out the Woodenbridge in Wicklow and the Riverbank in Wexford, just as an idea of the route we're going down.

Hope this makes sense, I've been getting stressed about it over the past few days so it may be gobblydegook!

EDIT: Doesn't even have to be the sea, just massive windows and a view of a body of water. Windows and water!

Staph

The ice house hotel in Ballina. Lovely view of the Moy from their restaurant and terrace. Not too far from Dublin either.

Bacchus

Really interested to see what recommendations people come back with on this. I know one or two spots down in Waterford/Cork but that's not quite WAW so doesn't fit your bill. Sill though... take a look at The Cliff House (http://cliffhousehotel.ie), Inish Beg (http://www.inishbeg.com/), and Dunmore House (http://dunmorehousehotel.ie).

kat939

We were at a wedding in the Lir restaurant at the golf club in kilkee, they have beautiful views and the windows to match! Not that easy to get to from Dublin though... Same with the Armada in Spanish Point, but the views are stunning:)
I also remember being in the restaurant of Knockranny House in Westport and the windows/views were amazing but i have no idea if the function room is the same...

chocfan

I know it's not really what you're asking but are you sure you would rule out your dream hotel??

We're based in Dublin as well but chose to get married in Killarney because we got engaged there/had done lots of holidays there/just love the area ourselves

The cost wasn't as much for people as you would think as that kind of area (and Dingle as well I'm sure) has tons of things like holiday houses that a lot of our friends stayed in together and it worked out way cheaper than going to a hotel room for a night etc

The hassle of getting there mightn't be as much of a nuisance as you think either. We did have a lot of people who drove but I don't think people would have a huge problem with bus/train etc. I certainly wouldn't with anywhere in Ireland. I think people certainly would find it easier than a wedding abroad for example (which is becoming way more common these days!!)

Think of it this way-if you were from the area and had always wanted to get married at home, you would probably definitely still be doing it.

It just sounds like you have your heart set on this venue and would maybe always slightly regret not going??

notsoyoungwan

I was at a wedding in the skellig once which had a lot of UK and Dublin based guests. The couple organized a bus or two to pick up guests from Farranfore and return them the day after the wedding. Farranfore has ah airport which I think still has Dublin- Kerry flights and also has train station a 3 min walk from airport, at which the train from Dublin would stop. Its about an hour from Dingle.

Worth thinking about if you’re totally in love with the skellig!

Neyite

Mulranny has a panoramic view. Galway Bay Hotel is another one, and it's a very short taxi from the station. (it's about a 20 -30 min walk for anyone who's active.

If you are going to look along the west coast, and don't rule out Dingle then look into hiring a bus to take guests too and from the venue. Others can car pool.

appleb

Would you consider Donegal as a location? We got married 4 years ago and had our reception in the Ballyliffin Lodge. It really was perfect. McGinleys bus run a really good regular bus service from Dublin to Inishowen which would drop your guests literally to the doorstep. Ballyliffin have 2 other hotels as well that might suit (although I think the Lodge is the nicest!).