Dream / fairytale wedding venues

jomc · 27-01-2012 01:45PM #1

Can anyone suggest the most spectacular wedding venues in Ireland now? The fiance and i are feeling a bit overwhelmed at whats on offer. We're open to location, herself just wants something really elegant and special ( i thought that was me but apparently not)

So far we've had recommendations for waterford castle, the village at lyons, the ritz carlton and kinnity castle.

We're not really gone on the marquee out the back idea having been to two marquee weddings that weren't as hassle free as we'd like. Ideally we want somewhere with impeccable service so its a stress free day for us! We'd prefer a hotel type thing for guests to be able to stay rather than having to drive/organise taxis but we're open to options.

Any recommendations or reviews are welcome! Thanks!

Sleepy · 27-01-2012 01:53PM

Money no object, I'd be going for the Village at Lyons.

Was at a wedding in Killashee House recently and thought it was fantastic too, real character to the place.

Moonbeam · 27-01-2012 01:55PM

Dunloe castel in Kilarney is the most amazing wedding venue that I have ever been to.
There is a close 2nd but I have completely forgotten the name of it so will get back to you.

Acoshla · 27-01-2012 03:29PM

Dunloe Castle is fab alright, so is Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee. The service in Ballygarry is something else, and the food is amazing.

SBWife · 27-01-2012 05:50PM

I've attended two weddings at Adare Manor and both have been spectacular.

John Mason · 27-01-2012 05:53PM

Sleepy wrote: »

Was at a wedding in Killashee House recently and thought it was fantastic too, real character to the place.

i was at a wedding in kilashee house recently and while the buildings and ground were lovely, room was horrible too big and no atmosphere.

the service was wasnt great either,

my money no object place would be powerscourt in wicklow

itsallaboutme!! · 27-01-2012 06:12PM

Ballymagarvey Village is amazing

Brooklodge in macreddin village is also fab:D

Sleepy · 27-01-2012 06:27PM

irishbird wrote: »

i was at a wedding in kilashee house recently and while the buildings and ground were lovely, room was horrible too big and no atmosphere.

there was wasnt great either,

my money no object place would be powerscourt in wicklow

Ah, I was at quite a big wedding there but could see that it wouldn't be great with small numbers...

Borderfox · 27-01-2012 08:11PM

I liked Castle Leslie, Castle Durrow.

John Mason · 27-01-2012 09:54PM

Sleepy wrote: »

Ah, I was at quite a big wedding there but could see that it wouldn't be great with small numbers...

there was 180 at the wedding i was at.

it just felt empty

Ashill5 · 27-01-2012 10:16PM

i have to agree with Acoshla! I have been to a good few weddings but Ballygarry House in Tralee has to be one of the best ! Spectacular Gardens and Ballroom. The service and food is something to experience! At the last wedding i was at Ballygarry, they had a lovely old style sweet shop set up for the guests! i think it was voted munster wedding venue this year!

banshee_bones · 27-01-2012 10:33PM

I think this place is lovely and fairly unique and if I could afford it I would love to get married here...

http://www.coolbawnquay.com/coolbawn-weddings.html

AoifeCork · 28-01-2012 02:26PM

Sang at a wedding in Coolbawn Quay last summer... Died and went to heaven. The Marina was spectacular at night all lit up, the Marquee was beautiful and the surrounding areas are just amazing.

http://www.coolbawnquay.com/coolbawn-weddings.html

jomc · 31-01-2012 01:18PM

Thanks for all the replies!!!!

I think the village at lyons is out as very few guests could stay.

Castle leslie is out as we've been to two events there and both were very badly done and the food was poor. Found our hotel rooms to be a bit on the shabby side too, no shower but got a bath with a bucket for washing your hair. A BUCKET!!!!! for 300 euro a night! /rant over

Some of those places look fab, would be concerned that dunloe could be hit and miss or hard to deal with as they're only open for half the year.

Think waterford castle, coolbawn quay and a few others will be getting visits. Any idea of the pricing of some of these? We'd probably be looking at 100-140 guests.

Lyrath house was mentioned too for us, but although i know its used a lot for weddings, i don't know anyone who has ever been.

Also has anyone attended a wedding in waterford castle?

Acoshla · 31-01-2012 01:21PM

Dunloe Castle isn't hit and miss at all I don't think, in Killarney the winter season is much quieter than the summer season so it's not surprising that they close.

LizT · 31-01-2012 02:12PM

+1 for castle durrow, amazing venue.

Moonbeam · 31-01-2012 05:34PM

Lyrath is a nice hotel.
I have never been to a wedding there but have been to conferences.
To me it is a nice hotel but not a fairy tale wedding venue.

Ballybeg looks amazing but never been to a wedding there.

sweetie · 31-01-2012 05:39PM

A friend married at waterford castle about 5 years ago, very very nice but limited numbers I would think.
I think ballybeg is over-rated. Marquee was very tatty when I worked there. The house is nice but not amazing imo.
I really like tankardstown in meath, middleton park in westmeath, step house in carlow and tulfarris in wicklow.

Dolbert · 31-01-2012 05:58PM

Money no object, I adore Kilshane House in Tipperary. Absolutely stunning but very expensive, especially considering the additional 'exclusivity' fee.

tipper1 · 08-03-2012 12:02AM

Going to have a look at coolbawn myself as it is close to home but most likely too expensive.
The best venue I was ever at was Pontoon Bridge in Mayo.
We were there a few years ago on the june bank hol weekend c/w 20+ degrees and brilliant sunshine and it was like being out foreign. Fantastic

jomc · 11-03-2012 01:43PM

Ballyfin was another that mentioned but when we rang up it turns out that they don't allow visitors, so when you book a room there all your drinks, food snacks, and most activities are included, and they don' allow people to book in for dinner or lunch. You have to be a guest to be let inside the walls, they told us that we would have to be guests to view it-at a cost of 715-950 per night!!! And if we booked our wedding there then they would refund it:eek:

Gatica · 12-03-2012 12:51PM

I would agree with the posters here:
Castle Durrow - absolutely stunning!
Castle Lesley - also gorgeous!
Kilshane House - fabulous but way way overpriced. I wouldn't give them the business.
Killashee House - the old part of the house is lovely, but only for weddings under about 80 ppl. The main hotel is for all other larger weddings and with the downside of the very large ballroom if your numbers are not very high.
Mount Falcon - lovely fresh grounds, and very tasteful.
Ballymagarvey - really beautiful and also quite expensive.
Village at Lyons - definitely one of the top ones for atmosphere. Fabulous food. Very french chic...

King Krib · 15-03-2012 03:29AM

Trim Castle Hotel is very very nice. We are getting married there next year, it's stunning. Plus it won Wedding Venue of the year for Leinster this year.

Theboinkmaster · 15-03-2012 12:54PM

Check out Tankardstown House in Slane.

If you go to view it I guarantee you won't want to get married anywhere else.

Rew · 15-03-2012 02:09PM

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Check out Tankardstown House in Slane.

If you go to view it I guarantee you won't want to get married anywhere else.

I really liked Tankardstown but it was way too small unfortunately, going to go there for dinner one of the nights.

Theboinkmaster · 15-03-2012 04:17PM

Rew wrote: »

I really liked Tankardstown but it was way too small unfortunately, going to go there for dinner one of the nights.

Main house accomodates weddings up to around 100 i think, then they use marques for larger weddings. Marque there would be great for summer/spring but not really suitable for winter IMO.

Rew · 15-03-2012 04:21PM

Theboinkmaster wrote: »

Main house accomodates weddings up to around 100 i think, then they use marques for larger weddings. Marque there would be great for summer/spring but not really suitable for winter IMO.

As far as I remember 80 at a very very tight squeeze 70 is more comfortable.

slowmoe · 15-03-2012 06:39PM

Do most places charge extra for a marquee to cater for a larger group, and if so how much roughly?

Rew · 15-03-2012 08:21PM

slowmoe wrote: »

Do most places charge extra for a marquee to cater for a larger group, and if so how much roughly?

Yes unless they own it which generally wouldn't be the case

slowmoe · 16-03-2012 03:27PM

Looking at a place which does own the marquee, if we use it it will mean tripple numbers for them compared to what the venue can hold, but they want to charge us 6000 for using the marquee?

It seems unreasonable to me?

Sleepy · 16-03-2012 03:55PM

Tell 'em to fvck off and take your business elsewhere tbh.

Dream / fairytale wedding venues

Comments