As a bride-to-be, content creator Éadaoin Fitzmaurice has trawled the length and breadth of Ireland looking for her perfect venue. Here, she shares her top picks.
The hunt for our perfect wedding venue is currently underway. We've spent the last couple of months researching and visiting various types of venues across the Emerald Isle.
I have to say, I have been blown away by the standard of venues we have in Ireland (I’ve been researching places abroad also and really do believe Ireland has the most beautiful of all!), and this has made our decision really difficult.
The hardest and most time-consuming part was definitely researching all the venues across the county, so today I’ve compiled a list of my top 15 to save you going through the same process.
Happy wedding planning for all brides and grooms to be!
1. Clonabreany, Co. Meath
Clonabreany is an exclusive Georgian estate offering couples a fun, laid-back wedding. We particularly loved this venue because they specialise in a two-day event (I’ve heard from many people that day two here is nearly even better than the wedding day). It’s great for larger weddings, taking up to 220 guests.
The wedding celebrations take place across the Main House, Grand Marquee, and cosy on-site pub called the Butler’s Rest - my personal favourite area on site. The guest accommodation on site is in the courtyard beside the Butler’s Rest, and it can take up to 100 people.
They have a beautiful ceremony room on-site, which you can rent, so you never have to leave the venue. After the ceremony, guests move to the main house for the drinks reception, where they have a pull-your-own-pint truck (to rent) and an ice cream truck (included in the package).
From there, guests move to the banquet hall, which is really spacious, and the band play there until 1am. Those who want to continue the party after that can go to the Butler’s Rest, and this stays going until a (loose) 4.30am.
Day two begins with a late breakfast, followed by afternoon tea, the Butler’s Rest opening for drinks and finishing off with a BBQ for guests.
This was almost our chosen venue, we absolutely loved it, and the wedding coordinator, Shauna, is amazing!
Two-day weddings in peak season start at €31,000.
2. Kilshane, Co. Tipperary
Kilshane is a Victorian country house set on 320 acres of parkland, famous for its striking glass conservatory - a show-stopping backdrop for ceremonies and receptions.
Wedding packages start at €170 per person in peak season and include exclusive use of the house. Kilshane caters to both grand banquets and intimate gatherings, offering couples the luxury of tailoring every detail.
Something we loved about this venue was the interior; each room looked like a work of art with intricate paintings on the ceilings and walls. Even if you’re unlucky with the Irish weather on your wedding day - which realistically is something we have to strongly consider - you’d still be able to get stunning photos. If you’re lucky and the sun comes your way, the grounds are breathtaking.
Kilshane House has alternative accommodation on-site for those looking to stay the night before the wedding, which was a huge thumbs up from us. This accommodation has loads of space for the glam squad and even has its own bar. On the day of your wedding, you’ll move to the main house, and you can stay there for day two celebrations also.
Some other things we loved about this venue were the banqueting hall, as the bar was in the room, so as not to split up the crowd, and you can also have fireworks - most other venues across Ireland don’t allow them.
Ceremonies can take place in the glasshouse, followed by a drinks reception in the same room or outdoors on sunny days. From there, guests move to the banquet hall for dinner and party the night away in this room until the wee hours. Not too much moving, which makes the day run smoothly, I can imagine.
The accommodation here sleeps up to 112 guests and can host up to 280 guests on the day of your wedding.
3. Bellingham Castle, Co. Louth
Bellingham Castle is one of the four Romantic Castles in Ireland. This 17th-century castle in the picturesque town of Castlebellingham offers a fairytale setting with modern hospitality.
The venue is huge with so many rooms to discover, including a kitchen where midnight snacks and cups of tea are served, a wine cellar and a whiskey room with opulent red leather couches.
It’s a fully exclusive venue that can take up to 200 guests. On peak times, it’s €135 per person. There are 19 rooms in the castle, plus 9 in the Boathouse - all must be booked as part of a wedding package.
There are a few choices for your ceremony in Bellingham Castle. My top pick would be their garden area with a water feature in the middle and vine-wrapped pillars to shade guests. From there, drinks are served in the reception room before heading down to the O’Bryen Bar for another drink or two.
The evening finishes off with dinner and dancing in the function room. The bar is in this room, which is something we always looked out for in each venue, as it not being in the same room can split up the crowd.
The castle’s warm, homely atmosphere balances grandeur with comfort, ensuring guests feel pampered.
4. Virginia Park Lodge, Co. Cavan
Virginia Park Lodge was the very first venue we viewed, and what a strong start it was. Owned by renowned chef Richard Corrigan, the lodge combines historic charm with Michelin-standard food.
The interiors are up there as the best we saw on our journey, and the staff were so on the ball - shout out to their wedding coordinator Margot, who I know would ensure your wedding day would run as smooth as butter.
The biggest pro for us with Virginia Park Lodge was their dining room - it really is a sight to behold with beautiful foliage hanging above the long bridal table, which centres the room. The band begin playing here after dinner, and once they’re finished, guests move back into the house for DJ, cocktails and dancing.
Virginia Park Lodge can accommodate between 90–300 guests, and accommodate up to 125 guests onsite. Wedding packages cost €145 per person (minimum 200 guests) with an estate hire fee of €2,000 (Thursdays and Sundays) or €4,000 (Fridays and Saturdays) during peak times.
5. Segrave Barns, Co. Louth
If you’re looking for a more alternative wedding - one that feels more like a festival - then Segrave Barns is the one for you. Segrave Barns offers a rustic, bohemian setting on 100 acres of private woodland and lakeshore. Of all the venues we looked at, this one topped the charts for best value.
The wedding here begins in their beautiful ceremony room (we loved this in particular) before moving out to the reception area for drinks and speeches. Guests will then move into the dining barn, which was our favourite room of all. It’s covered in vines and disco balls, and I could really feel the good energy of this room simply by walking around it.
They have a bar hatch on one side of this room and a small cocktail bar on the other. On your wedding day, the couple will be able to choose two signature cocktails to serve to guests that only cost €10. It’s the little touches like this that make this a really special venue.
Another reason we loved this venue is that tucked to the side of the dining hall is a pub. This is where guests will retreat late that night and also on day two, with a BBQ being served from the outdoor courtyard at the back of it.
Their wedding packages are typically around €105 per person, including exclusive hire of the barns, glamping village accommodation, and use of the lakeside jetty for ceremonies or photographs.
6. Inchydoney, Co. Cork
For couples dreaming of a coastal wedding, you can’t find a better backdrop than Inchydoney. With panoramic Atlantic views and direct beach access, outdoor ceremonies here look out to this iconic beach.
The hotel itself has a wonderful spa with its own seawater pool, a brilliant restaurant and endless nooks and crannies to relax in, so your guests will be getting their own holiday while spending a day or two (or three) at your wedding.
Wedding packages include tailored menus featuring local seafood, spa access for pre-wedding relaxation, and seaside photography opportunities.
The hotel can host up to 280 guests with packages starting at €85 per head - one of the best value offerings we found for this standard of a venue.
7. Markree Castle, Co. Sligo
There are few venues I’ve seen across my relentless months of researching that are as stunning as Markree Castle in Co. Sligo. The 7th-century castle was lovingly restored to offer the ultimate fairytale wedding experience. Packages include exclusive use of the castle, 30 bedrooms for guests, and ceremonies in the on-site chapel or gardens.
For such a formal-looking venue, the energy here is actually super relaxed and the team are open to any personalisation couples may want on their big day. The day's celebration begins in the regal reception area and castle gardens on sunny days.
From here, speeches usually take place on the grand staircase inside or outside on the steps in front of the castle before heading into the jaw-dropping dining hall for dinner. The dining hall is what dreams are made of, with gold and white walls tucked into various corners of the room.
One of the highlights of this venue for us was the nightclub in the basement paired with its own tap bar and cocktail bar on either side of the dancefloor. You can just tell by walking into this room that couples who have their wedding here love to boogie the night away.
I can’t say enough good things about this venue, it’s truly magic. Markree offers exclusive use, 31 rooms on site, with packages starting at €130 per person.
8. The Armada, Co. Clare
The Armada is one of my all-time favourite hotels in Ireland. Set on the Wild Atlantic Way in Spanish Point, the Atlantic Ocean views here are incredible. Weddings at the Armada are defined by their connection to the sea. Many couples choose to exchange vows overlooking Spanish Point beach, framed by waves and horizon views, before moving inside for a reception that blends coastal charm with contemporary style.
A typical day at the Armada starts with a ceremony either in the ballroom with its floor-to-ceiling windows or outdoors on the hotel lawns. Guests then gather for drinks and music while the couple steals away for windswept photographs on the beach. Dinner is served in the Atlantic Suite, where menus often spotlight Clare seafood and local produce.
As night falls, the party takes on a lively, West-of-Ireland energy — live bands, trad music sessions, and dancing that often spills back out toward the sea breeze. For day two, a lot of couples stay on site and head into the Armada’s pub called Johnny Burke’s. It’s a traditional-style bar that celebrates Clare’s music and storytelling heritage.
9. Drumhierny, Co. Leitrim
Drumhierny is one of Ireland’s newest wedding venues, with its first wedding ever taking place at time of writing. This rustic hideaway in Leitrim offers a truly unique woodland setting for couples seeking something alternative. Wedding packages include use of the forested estate, eco-friendly luxury lodges for guests, and open-air ceremonies among the trees.
Couples can create a festival-style celebration with food trucks, live music, or rustic banquets in the woodland. With sustainability at its heart, Drumhierny offers a magical and modern take on Irish weddings.
It’s a great venue for couples who want to create a wedding event that’s really personal to them. The most recent wedding that took place here involved a trad session, yoga classes in the morning and a paint and prosecco event on day two.
For weekends in the summer of 2027, venue hire for early bookings starts at €16,000 for a two-day weekend event. This price includes furniture for up to 200 guests, drinks reception post-ceremony for the wedding party and a complimentary luxury woodland lodge for the bride and groom.
10. Gloster House, Co. Offaly
Gloster House is an 18th-century Georgian mansion and one of Ireland's most elegant wedding venues, with grand reception rooms, frescoed ceilings, and landscaped gardens. Wedding offerings include exclusive use of the house and grounds, formal dining in the ballroom, and on-site accommodation.
It can host up to 180 guests, and can accommodate 40 guests as part of exclusive hire (additional nearby accommodation/shuttles are commonly used for larger parties).
Couples typically begin their day with a ceremony in the on-site chapel or, in fine weather, outdoors among the landscaped Italianate gardens and ornamental lakes.
Guests move through the house much as they might have centuries ago, with a drinks reception in frescoed salons, champagne in the cloisters, or canapés on the terrace with sweeping views of the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
The wedding banquet is usually served in the Garden Room, with its high ceilings and natural light, before the celebrations flow into the evening with music and dancing in one of the grand reception spaces.
Because Gloster is offered as an exclusive-use venue, the atmosphere is intimate and immersive: the house and grounds become your private stage for the weekend, with guests wandering through drawing rooms, formal gardens, and candlelit corridors as the party evolves.
11. Castle Leslie, Co. Monaghan
One of Ireland’s most iconic wedding venues, Castle Leslie Estate offers everything from opulent castle receptions to relaxed lodge celebrations. Wedding packages are highly customisable, often including exclusive use of parts of the estate, gourmet dining, and on-site accommodation for guests.
Couples can marry in the private chapel, host lakeside ceremonies, or dance late into the night in the castle’s banquet rooms.
Few venues deliver a more romantic, old-world wedding than here. The drinks reception is typically held in the castle's drawing rooms or on the terrace, with guests mingling under chandeliers or overlooking the grounds.
Dinner is served in the grand dining rooms, where gilded ceilings and antique furniture set the tone. After dinner, guests spill into the bar rooms and ballrooms, where the castle comes alive with dancing and late-night revelry. Because the estate has extensive accommodation, the wedding rarely ends on the day itself - brunches, horse-riding, or lakeside walks make the following morning just as memorable.
12. Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary
Cloughjordan House is a rustic yet elegant wedding haven set on an 800-year-old estate. Famous for its farm-to-fork ethos, the venue has its own cookery school and walled gardens supplying fresh ingredients for wedding feasts. Couples can exchange vows outdoors under the ancient trees, in the beautifully converted barn, or within the character-filled house itself.
A typical day begins with a ceremony in the woods or barn, followed by drinks and canapés on the lawn. Dinner is often served in the marquee with long banquet tables (this room is FAB - I love the long tables!), celebrating seasonal produce and locally sourced wine. Dancing then spills into the barn, giving the night a lively, relaxed festival feel.
The venue has a capacity of 180 guests, with accommodation for 80+ on site - a mix of manor rooms, courtyard cottages, and quirky eco pods. Packages generally start around €95–€110 per guest, with seasonal flexibility.
Perfect for couples who want laid-back elegance with foodie flair and a whole weekend feel.
13. Rathsallagh, Co. Wicklow
Rathsallagh House is a romantic country estate set on 530 acres of parkland and walled gardens. Its reputation as one of Ireland’s premier wedding venues comes from its exclusive-use policy and great food.
A wedding at Rathsallagh typically unfolds with a ceremony in the walled garden or orangery, followed by champagne and photos around the grounds. Dinner is served in the elegant dining room or marquee, with menus showcasing seasonal Irish ingredients. Afterwards, the celebrations continue with live music and dancing, before guests retire to luxurious bedrooms across the estate.
My sister had her wedding here and from start to finish, this venue had it all - amazing staff, beautiful rooms, a bar in the main room and late-hours bar service for guests.
Weddings can host up to 250 guests, with 39 bedrooms. Prices range from €100–€120 per guest in the summer months. Rathsallagh is best suited to couples seeking a classic, timeless country wedding with the luxury of exclusivity and all guests gathered under one roof.
14. Drumhalla House, Co. Donegal
Nestled at the foot of Kinnegar Beach along the Wild Atlantic Way, Drumhalla House offers an exclusive and picturesque setting for weddings. The estate spans 50 acres of private parkland, featuring a fully restored country manor house, two cottages, and a permanent all-weather marquee situated in the original walled garden.
A wedding at Drumhalla House begins in the morning with the bridal party getting ready in the manor house, where the historic rooms provide a luxurious backdrop for hair, makeup, and pre-wedding photographs. The groom and groomsmen prepare in the estate’s cottages, keeping the morning calm and private.
Couples can choose to exchange vows either outdoors in the walled garden, framed by the estate’s mature trees and greenery, or in the elegant all-weather marquee with views of Kinnegar Beach. After the ceremony, guests move seamlessly to the garden or terrace for cocktails and canapés while photographers take advantage of the estate’s stunning beach and parkland for portraits.
Dinner is served in the marquee, with menus that highlight local seafood and seasonal produce. As evening falls, dancing begins under the marquee or outdoors if the weather allows, with the beach serving as a romantic backdrop for evening photos.
One cool bonus to this venue is that there are no corkage fees; couples are encouraged to provide their own champagne, prosecco, and wine for the reception and meal.
The capacity is 290 guests, with 15 exclusive bedrooms for the wedding party and their guests.
15. The Old Rectory, Co. Tyrone
The Old Rectory is an 18th-century private estate nestled within the quaint village of Killyman. Lovingly restored, this venue offers an exclusive and intimate setting for weddings. The estate is steeped in history, providing a unique backdrop for life's most special moments.
The wedding day starts with preparations in the estate’s beautifully restored historic rooms, offering an elegant setting for the bridal party. Meanwhile, the groom and groomsmen get ready in the on-site cottages. Couples may choose a ceremony in the restored barn, which blends historical charm with modern touches, or outdoors in the gardens, surrounded by mature trees and landscaped greenery.
Following the ceremony, guests enjoy cocktails and canapés in the gardens or barn, often accompanied by live music or acoustic performances, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Dinner is served either in the barn or a marquee, with bespoke catering tailored to the couple’s preferences, and tables arranged for long banquet-style feasts or more intimate settings.
As night falls, the evening celebrations continue with dancing and entertainment in the barn, where cozy lighting and the historic architecture make for a magical atmosphere. Guests can stay in the estate’s cottages, ensuring that the celebrations continue without the need to travel, giving the wedding a truly private and bespoke feel.
The Old Rectory is ideal for couples seeking a countryside wedding with historical character, charm, and personalised touches throughout the day.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.
