Forget the June wedding, these locations look their best over Christmas.
Save My Day has compiled Ireland's very best wedding venues, and this time they're focusing on where looks best over the Christmas season. There's something inherently magical about a castle during the colder months that may suits some couples more than the traditional summer wedding.
If the festive season has gotten you thinking of a winter wedding, maybe for 2024 or 2025, then these are the top Christmassy wedding venues in Ireland.
Cabra Castle
Location: Cavan
At Cabra Castle they deck the gardens, balconies, lounges and everything in between to create that Christmas feeling for a couple’s big day. This location has space for between 100-260 guests, and erects a huge Christmas tree every year to provide that extra bit of festive magic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClRu0IsDs5o/
Ballyseede Castle
Location: Kerry
Whether you want to go big with 200 guests, or small with an intimate three, Ballyseede Castle is able to cater to your specific needs. From the delightful Christmas trees and decorations throughout the castle, seasonal carols playing in the background, mulled wine drinks reception in lounges glowing with roaring fires, luxurious Baileys Hot Chocolates and even traditional mince pies, a Ballyseede Wedding at Christmas is a festive treat for the soul like no other.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CleZ2Nro87w/
Bellingham Castle
Location: Louth
The most magical and romantic time to get married at Bellingham Castle is over Christmas, and they really do splash out for the occasion. You can expect roaring log fires, a mulled wine reception, traditional mince pies, cosy lounges, stunning photo opportunities and a delightful festive atmosphere makes for the perfect backdrop for a memorable wedding during the holiday season, for anywhere between 20 and 200 guests.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CleU0SwMne7/
Markree Castle
Location: Sligo
You are welcomed to Markree Castle by a pair of Christmas trees on the staircase and a mulled wine reception, setting up the festive tone immediately. They offer weddings for parties of between 60 and 210 guests.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClGX4YzKyC1/
Dylan Hotel
Location: Dublin
If you're looking for a more intimate Christmassy wedding in Ireland, the Dylan is a great option. Its elegant Eddison Restaurant, heated and covered outdoor terrace and fabulous Ruby Room cocktail bar will wow guests during the festive season. They host wedding parties of between three and 60 people.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj7lOELsDi4/
Rathsallagh Country House
Location: Wicklow
Rathsallagh Country House can host up to 25o guests for a festive wedding; it's a truly magical and romantic setting with countless fairy lights glittering the grounds on arrival. You'll also get a whiff of pine Christmas trees, log and turf fires in their drawing rooms.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClEK09VM6l4/
Fernhill House
Location: West Cork
Hosting magical West Cork winter weddings up to 300 guests, Fernhill House is a stunning Georgian Manor country house set amongst acres of picturesque landscaped gardens that are lit up at night to create a fairytale setting for Winter Wonderland wedding photos.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjjRx2zqZ4k/
Radisson Blu Hotel
Location: Cork
If you've got a whopper guest list you just can't cut down, The Radisson Blu Hotel in Cork can host up to 420 guests (so you can invite along as many of your parents' old friends as you like). Couples can create their own winter wonderland, with this romantic venue offering tailored festive ‘Holly’ wedding packages.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClTDGJmAPZ_/
Four Seasons Hotel
Location: Louth
The Four Seasons Hotel is another ideal spot for larger wedding parties at Christmas time. Step in from the cold into the hotel’s grand ballroom warmingly lit by sparkling crystal chandeliers and boasting Georgian ceilings, floor to ceiling cut glass mirrors, lush carpets and catering for weddings up to 370 guests.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjAOkteu9C3/
Kilronan Castle Estate
Location: Roscommon
For a wedding in Connacht, Kilronan Castle Estate provides a super Christmassy background. What is it about castles that just makes them so festive? This 200 year-old castle is full of history and old world charm having been lovingly transformed from the ancestral home of a royal family into a luxurious Irish castle hotel.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBbLJQAkpE/
Jacks Coastguard Restaurant
Location: Kerry
During the colder months, this coastal award-winning restaurant takes on a cosy festive vibe. Newlyweds and their guests are welcomed with the aroma of mulled wine, the warmth from the roaring fire and take a seat at the delicious candlelit wedding banquet. This 1866-built coastguard station venue combines the snug and inviting traditional Station Bar with an elegant fine dining restaurant.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CloBoTit1_t/
Langtons Hotel
Location: Kilkenny
Kilkenny's Langtons Hotel is a large and welcoming hotel wedding venue located right in the heart of Kilkenny’s mediaeval bustling city. Home to five beautiful wedding venue options all under one roof, Langtons is styled perfectly to suit intimate winter weddings or larger festive party celebrations up to 342 guests.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkdLCBJo5Ak/
The Anglers Rest
Location: Dublin
Allowing between 45 and 150 guests, and boasting sparkling Christmas trees, crackling log fires and twinkling candles, The Anglers Rest is a magical setting to say "I do" during the colder months.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CliTYQqMzwP/
No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place
Location: Dublin
No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place is based on the Georgian Mile and provides a cosy setting for weddings of between 20 and 60 guests.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CljlhqpMEJT/
The Woollen Mills
Location: Dublin
Another Dublin location that has a very Christmassy feel to it is The Woollen Mills. It's located beside the famous Ha'penny Bridge and able to cater for up to 80 guests within their Riverrun Room, which offers gorgeous views of the Liffey.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClV_w6SswP9/
Ballintubbert Gardens & Home
Location: Laois
Ballintubbert Gardens and Home offers exclusive use of its historic house, luxury rooms, and beautiful grounds. A stylish and romantic country venue perfect for magically festive, simply rustic, classic chic, bohemian hip and vintage style weddings no matter the time of year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkjDMdpqxa3/
So there you have it, plenty of choices for a wedding in Ireland that will feel extremely Christmassy.
Header image via Instagram / Markree Castle & / Ballintubbert
READ ON:
-
Beyond the Pale line-up to feature Jungle, Jessie Ware, The Scratch, and many more
-
Guinness and Pellador FC announce limited edition jumper collab just in time for Christmas
-
Irish chef dies while climbing Mt Kilimanjaro for 40th birthday
