By Katy Thornton
Whether you’re into an intimate gathering, or a party of 200.
Wedding season is nearly upon us again, and if it’s got you thinking about where your perfect venue might be, whether there’s an engagement ring on your finger or not, then you might want to consult this list, put together by Save My Day. These venues are for those looking for somewhere particularly exclusive or private, where you and your guests can live it up in a location that just focuses on your big day.
Historic Wedding Venues
No.25 Fitzwilliam Place
Location: Dublin
No.25 Fitzwilliam Place, based in the heart of Dublin city centre, is a frequent mention on these wedding spots, and the best of Ireland’s private venues is no exception. It can host 20-60 people for your special day and was awarded Ireland’s best luxury wedding venue at the SaveMyDay.ie awards for 2022.
No.25 boasts exquisite private rooms over three floors, elegant original period features, sumptuous fine dining menus, fully serviced bar, and warm, attentive service for the entirety of your wedding celebration.
The Abbey Wedding & Events Venue
Location: Athy, Kildare
Choosing The Abbey gives couples and their wedding guests access all areas to this beautifully restored historic Kildare venue, including its own on-site 18th century chapel, spectacular ballroom, warm and intimate whiskey room, bridal suite with gorgeous glam and dressing area, luxurious accommodation for up to 90 guests and two prestigious wedding suites.
They are also the recipient of Ireland’s Best Reviewed and Best Ceremony Wedding Venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2022.
No.17 Molesworth Street
Location: Dublin 2
This historic venue can host a small wedding party of 20, or a larger wedding party of 180, depending on your guest list. No.17 Molesworth Street is the location of Freemasons’ Hall, the magnificent home of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and is able to accommodate both ceremonies and receptions.
Country House and Estate Wedding Venues
Temple House Estate
Location: Ballymote, Sligo
If you’re looking for the very best exclusive venue in Ireland for private hire, Temple House Estate was awarded this title at the 2022 SaveMyDay awards. The Sligo location overlooks a 13th century lakeside ruins of a Knights Templar Castle and is set in an 1,000 acre private estate, ideal for small or large wedding parties.
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Rathsallagh Country House
Location: Dunlavin, Wicklow
For wedding parties up to 250 guests, Rathsallagh Country House, based in County Wicklow, is a spectacular spot for your nuptials. It’s nestled in acres of woodland with a 300 year old walled garden, thousands of mature trees and a long winding avenue ensuring complete privacy on wedding days – stunning.
The Castle Oaks House Hotel
Location: Castleconnell, Limerick
An idyllic backdrop for stunning wedding portraits for weddings all year round, this delightful and lovingly restored country house is renowned for its award-winning food and is available for exclusive hire. This location has 26 acres of manicured gardens and romantic woodland, and has been hosting weddings for over 30 years.
Alternative Wedding Venues
Mountain View
Location: Ballyhale, Kilkenny
Winner of both the best festival wedding venue and the best alternative wedding venue in 2022, Mountain View has a lot to offer to couples on their big day.
Their award-winning range of ceremony and reception options to couples including the stylish Greenhouse restaurant ideal for intimate gatherings, beautiful pergola for outdoor ceremonies nestled amongst nature, and grand and spectacular parties in their Grand Marquee.
The Wicklow Escape
Location: Donard, Wicklow
For a more intimate wedding party, The Wicklow Escape won the top spot for this in 2022. This location are known for their incredible menu, as well as their woodland setting, being based at the foothills of the Sugar Loaf.
The Chocolate Factory
Location: Dublin 1
For those with a sweet tooth, or just a keen interest in how chocolate is mad, The Chocolate Factory is the exact kind of quirky location you might dream of for your wedding.
The Factory Floor is a large, bright industrial event space on the first floor of a former chocolate factory – the mint crisp and the Toblerone were once made here! It offers exclusive access to the city centre space with its own private entrance.
Camus Farm
Location: Clonakilty, Cork
For a wedding location with a view, Camus Farm is perfect. It provides panoramic scenes over Clonakilty Bay, has an award-winning restaurant for catering, and best of all has a relaxed, festival vibe for celebrating.
Restaurant Wedding Venues
Marco Pierre White Courtyard
Location: Dublin 4
Foodies may opt for a restaurant as their wedding location, and Marco Pierre White’s courtyard in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, is a dream, particularly for steak lovers.
Renowned for its food, Marco Pierre White’s is tucked behind vine-covered wrought-iron gates with guests entering firstly into a lush charming courtyard and garden room perfect for drinks reception. Moving into the main dining room for dinner, this entire award-winning restaurant is available for exclusive hire for larger groups of up to 160 guests.
Jack’s Coastguard Restaurant
Location: Cromane, Kerry
Winning the 2022 award for the best waterside wedding venue, Jack’s Coastguard is an elegant spot for parties of up to 130 guests. heir 1866-built coastguard station combines their traditional Station Bar with an elegant glass-walled fine dining restaurant with impressive views of the mountains and sea.
10 Bridge Street
Location: Killorglin, Kerry
Housed in a restored 1816 old church, 10 Bridge Street is a unique venue hosting a wide range of exclusive wedding celebrations from sit-down banquet style wedding dinners, family-style tasting menus, informal casual style parties, intimate celebrations and late-night dancing.
Pichet
Location: Dublin 2
Pichet is a modern French inspired bistro on the Michelin Guide, and is available for exclusive wedding bookings for between 10 and 100 guests.
Fallon & Byrne
Location: Dublin 2
Positioned in the heart of Dublin’s Creative Quarter in a beautiful 19th century building, this venue’s beautiful ballroom hosts private intimate and larger weddings with award-winning food and bespoke menus.
Opium
Location: Dublin 2
A hugely popular restaurant in Dublin that doubles as a wedding venue is Opium, with its draw largely coming from their Botanical Garden area and their beautiful selection of Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese food.
Roberta’s Restaurant and Bar
Location: Dublin 2
Roberta’s is a great location to start, finish or spend all your wedding day or day two celebrations in, and is perfectly located for a wander around the city centre for wedding portraits. Ideal for intimate or large celebrations, features include exclusive hire options, full bar and late licence, heated outdoor area, delicious cocktails and New York-Italian styled menus.
The Grayson
Location: Dublin 2
The Grayson overlooks St. Stephen’s Green and is a recognisable building in its own right with its ivy covered exterior. The openness and light of The Atrium Room is ideal for a welcoming drinks reception, where the Grayson’s top floor with its bright pop of colour is a match for boutique exclusive hire wedding celebrations.
Castles for hire
Bellingham Castle
Location: Louth
Nestled in the medieval village of Castlebellingham and set on the banks of the glistening River Glyde, Bellingham Castle is an opulent exclusive-hire castle wedding venue where couples and their guests can enjoy a truly magical day in complete privacy.
Markree Castle
Location: Collooney, Sligo
Standing on a secluded 500 acre estate with mature trees and a river flowing through, this 17th century authentic Irish castle is located along the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way. On their big day, couples can arrive at this gothic masterpiece by wedding car, by boat to the estate’s boathouse along the River Unshin, or by horse and carriage through the spectacular ‘port la couer’ at the front of the castle
Kinnity Castle Hotel
Location: Birr, Offaly
At Kinnity Castle Hotel, you arrive up the winding avenue, opening into breathtaking views of the spectacular castle seated on 650 acres of parkland, inclusive of 60 acres of rolling lawns. Enter the lavish medieval revival castle, drenched in original features, heritage colours and regal atmospheres dating back to 1209.
Header images via Emily Doran Photography & Best in Fest
