HOW TO CHOOSE A CASTLE FOR YOU IRISH CASTLE ELOPEMENT?
If you’re looking for a fairy-tale wedding, there’s no setting more perfect than a castle. Ireland has plenty of them! In fact, castles are the second most popular wedding venue choice in Ireland. Across the whole country, you can find old-beautiful castles with all kinds of architectural styles in gorgeous mountainous landscapes surrounded by lakes, greenery and nature. Some of them have been transformed into 5-star hotels with exceptional facilities and services.
Who doesn’t want to feel like royalty for a day? You just have to choose the one that ticks all your boxes.
WHAT TYPE OF CASTLE?
Consider the type of Irish castle elopement that is for you. They vary from ancient ruins to the 5 star luxury with world class facilities.
CASTLE RUIN
A ceremony or adventure session in a castle ruin has a wonderful romantic and dramatic feel. We have listed some accessible ruins here there are many more. As well as being beautiful they are usually free to access.
Claregalway Abbey ruin in Galway City is a very accessible castle ruin for an adventure session or elopement.
Clifden castle is situated a 2 hour drive from Galway city out in Connemara this castle ruin provides an epic backdrop for a ceremony and photos.
Corcomroe Abbey ruins in the Burren is a fantastic place for a symbolic elopement ceremony and is a short drive from the Cliffs of Moher making it a popular choice.
Rathborney church ruins in the Burren is another lovely spot for a legal ceremony.
RUSTIC CASTLES
There are many budget friendly castle venues with a more rustic charm but with that ancient and historic appearance and feeling. Some have accommodation so you can also stay. They are great options for your Irish castle elopement.
Thor Ballylee is a tower castle 1 hour from Galway city. With connections to WB Yeats it sits beside a wood on a riverbank.
Newtown Castle is a 16th-century tower, that is an excellent choice for your ceremony close to the cliffs of Moher.
HIGH END CASTLES
Ireland is famous for world class castle venues. These are some of the more well known but there are SO many more.
Dromoland Castle is a luxury castle hotel located in County Clare, and it’s the kind of place that you will never want to leave. It has a Golf course, a spa, a pool, a gym. It has horse riding facilities and is surrounded by a forest on the edge of a magnificent lake.
Adare Manor Castle is located on the banks of the River Maigue, on County Limerick. It was recognized as one of the best hotels in the world on the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Gold List. Adare Manor is just the way it looks: Stunning! The perfect setting for a majestic wedding.
The West of Ireland is home to perhaps the most beautiful places you will ever see and Ashford Castle is definitely one of them! Located in County Mayo near the Lough Corrib, this 13th-century 5-star luxury hotel is just 45 minutes far from Galway City. It is world famous and centuries old with picturesque Victorian architecture and an idyllic setting. It has played host to heads of state, royalty and celebrities. So, it’s not a surprise that it was already considered one of the most romantic venues in Europe and one of the best hotels in the World.
Ballynahinch Castle is a luxurious hotel and wedding venue located in the heart of Connemara, in County Galway. It is surrounded by nature. This astonishing castle stands overlooking the Ballynahinch Lake and the Ballynahinch River, and it is framed by the Twelve Bens Mountain Range. It’s both low key and luxurious at the same time.
MANOR HOMES
There are several beautiful manor houses in the west of Ireland. They are elegant on beautiful gardens and make a ideal setting for an elopement ceremony. Here we have listed a few but there are so many more!
Cahernane house is beautifully located near Killarney town and also is a short distance to some amazing ruins and waterfalls.
Cashel House Hotel overlooks Cashel Bay on the west coast of Ireland. Situated in the heart of Connemara and surrounded 50 acres of gardens and woodland walks, this little bit of paradise offers an ideal base from which to enjoy walking, beaches, sea and lake fishing, golf and horse riding.
Screebe is one of Ireland’s finest restored Victorian country houses, offering a peaceful stay in a beautiful setting in Rosmuc, just 40 minutes from Galway City.
Like we said there are so many options! Let us help find the perfect venue for you.
Choose Twin Flames to make your big day even more unforgettable!
Click here for some photo stories of weddings in Irish castles and Manor houses.
