The Register: 6 exclusive wedding venues worth bookmarking
From the opulence of Ballyfin Demesne to the special touches at Gloster House and Luttrellstown Castle, here are six venues for ultimate exclusivity
Ballyfin Demesne
There are few destinations like Ballyfin Demesne. The 18th-century five-star Regency mansion on the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains is one of Ireland’s most exclusive wedding venues.
Couples can choose to dine in the elegance of the stunning State Dining Room with views over the water cascade, accommodating up to 70 guests. There are a number of intimate reception rooms too, like vibrant outdoor terraces and garden spaces where guests can enjoy pre and post-wedding celebrations.
For gatherings up to 120 guests, a sumptuous dinner in the ballroom followed by an evening of music and dancing is available. With 20 bedrooms and a private one-bedroom Gardeners’ Cottage set across its 614-acre estate, it’s the perfect place to be surrounded by friends and family.
Plus, with an extensive array of menus to choose from (including custom-designed) and a sommelier on hand, Ballyfin Demesne is nothing short of a magical setting for your special day.
Ballyfin Demesne, Ballyfin, Co Laois, R32 PN34, +353 (57) 875 5866, info@ballyfin.com, ballyfin.com
Kilshane House
An elegant and spacious Regency House built in 1822, Kilshane House offers ceremony and post-ceremony celebrations for your special day.
Choose to exchange vows in the Conservatory or on the lake in the Victorian landscape garden, on an exquisite pagoda that appears to float above the water and is linked to the shore by two silver arched bridges.
As for dining, Kilshane House can seat over 280 guests at elegant round tables in the Orangerie, which is under glass with heating and air-conditioning. On the wedding day, guests are greeted at the door with trays of Champagne, cocktails and pints of Guinness.
With live music under the palm trees in the Conservatory and an exquisite gala dinner and dancing in the Orangerie, your night will be concluded with fireworks for a spectacular, memorable ending to your special day.
Kilshane House, Kilshane, Co Tipperary, E34 C674, +353 (0) 628 2444, info@kilshanehouse.ie, kilshanehouse.ie
Luttrellstown Castle Resort
Luttrellstown Castle Resort is a magnificent 15th-century private estate on 567 acres of lush parkland which was originally built for gracious hospitality and entertaining.
The resort is bursting with character and style and is the perfect location for your most memorable occasion. With its striking and versatile reception rooms including the Van Stry Ballroom and the Kentian Room, the impressive dining rooms offer a magical setting from the most intimate to the larger scale weddings of up to 180 people.
As you have the castle to yourself, privacy is guaranteed from the moment you arrive. During your stay, you can also experience The Salon – a meticulously renovated space that was once a pottery barn and is now a state-of-the-art beauty room with make-up stations, hair wash facilities, a nail bar and a gorgeous relaxation area.
Along with the beautiful reception rooms, the Castle has 20 bespoke bedrooms, accommodating approximately 50 people. The recently refurbished Gardener’s Cottage is a two-storey cottage nestled in the heart of the enchanting Walled Garden, just moments away from the Castle.
The cottage features five spacious double rooms, a welcoming open-plan living, kitchen area and a private patio.
Luttrellstown Castle Resort, Castleknock, Co Dublin, D15 RH92, +353 (01) 860 9600, hello@luttrellstown.ie, luttrellstowncastle.com
Gloster House
Nestled at the foot of the Slieve Bloom mountains in Co Offaly is the stunningly beautiful and unique 300-year-old Gloster House. Recently restored by the Alexander family, it is surrounded by extensive gardens incorporating terraces, water features, woodland and lakes.
The house and gardens are available as an exclusive wedding venue for only one wedding each week. Strictly a private venue, couples will have their special day in this amazing house surrounded only by their family and friends.
Within the house, gardens and woodlands there are many options for the location of the wedding ceremony, drinks reception and wedding dinner, or indeed for smaller dinners or functions on the day before or after the wedding.
The house has a number of reception rooms including a double-height entrance hall and a large first-floor gallery area. For intimate humanist or civil ceremonies, the stunning white chapel on-site is a beautiful space with high ceilings.
The garden room can seat up to 180 guests, while larger weddings can be accommodated in a marquee on the grounds. With a small panel of recommended caterers for food and 24 guestrooms to accommodate guests, Gloster House is truly an exclusive one-stop-shop location.
Gloster House, Brosna, Birr, Co Offaly, R42 CH02, +353 (0) 505 37070, nigel@glosterhouse.com, glosterhouse.ie
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens is so much more than just a civil ceremony and wedding venue. It is a lovingly restored 19th-century castle hotel.
This unique and luxurious fairy-tale setting, with its secluded location, breathtaking views and classic romanticism, is the perfect backdrop for couples to begin their life together.
Lough Rynn Castle Estate has so many stunning features for a wedding venue such as the Baronial hall, the arrival reception room which features bay windows with views of Lough Rynn and the rolling lawns and its Inglenook fireplace – one of the largest in the country.
With a capacity for up to 320 guests, plus 44 guest rooms available, this 300-acre estate is the perfect place for a large gathering that still feels intimate. Lough Rynn Castle is located in Co Leitrim, close to the Roscommon border and just one hour from Sligo.
Mohill, Co Leitrim, N41 WE16, +353 (071) 963 2700, enquiries@loughrynn.ie, loughrynn.ie
Tankardstown House
Found just outside Slane in Co Meath, the Tankardstown Estate spans 80 acres of woodlands, courtyards, walled gardens, and parkland, with an 18th-century manor house and orangerie at its heart.
Suited to exclusive hire, guests are welcomed into the main house drawing rooms for pre-dinner drinks and canapés, before descending the winding staircase to the grand Orangerie for a luxurious dinner thanks to renowned head chef Johnny Sarkozi and his innovative approach to fresh, seasonal produce.
The Orangerie is bathed in natural light, with an opulent feel with candelabras, chandeliers, antique furniture, and reflecting olive trees. Seating for up to 250 guests can be accommodated, with the Orangerie also serving as a dramatic backdrop for indoor ceremonies.
Additionally, the picturesque Walled Garden offers an outdoor setting for the exchange of vows and civil ceremonies.
Rathkenny, Slane, Co Meath, C15 D535, +353 (041) 982 4621, weddings@tankardstown.ie, tankardstown.ie
