Last year we did a round up of some amazing unique and alternative wedding venues in Ireland but we thought it was high time we showcased some more fab venues that have something a little bit different going for them. From quirky country houses and eclectic estates with their very own marquee to lodges surrounded by stunning unspoilt scenery, here are 14 more alternative wedding venues in Ireland that couples looking to create a unique and personal day will LOVE…
Unusual & Alternative Wedding Venues in Ireland Part 1
The Station House Hotel & Award Winning Signal Restaurant, Kilmessan, Co. Meath
Guest capacity: 180 | Prices start from €40.00 | View Profile
Located in the heart of the Meath countryside, this charming converted railway station is perfect for couples that love something a little bit different. Lovingly restored by the Slattery Family, The Station House Hotel is renowned for its magical outdoor ceremony space. An enchanting forest walk leads you to the station’s original turntable where you can exchange vows on a beautiful stone platform surrounded by your loved ones. The Station House Hotel can cater for intimate parties of up to 80 guests or larger celebrations up to 160 and with only one wedding per day, you’re guaranteed their undivided attention.
Tinakilly Country House, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow
Guest capacity: 200 | Prices start from €69 | View Profile
Just 35 minutes from Dublin, this charming Victorian mansion by the sea is nested amongst seven acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and will appeal to those that love their vintage elegance. Built in 1883, this beautifully restored venue boasts a luxurious old-world feel that will enchant your guests. Tinakilly Country House can cater for every style of wedding with several reception spaces whether you’re looking to host an intimate party of 35 or a larger bash up to 200. If you’re looking to put your own stamp on your celebrations, their newly appointed marquee which can hold larger weddings is the perfect place to unleash your creativity and unique style while enjoying all this charming Victorian venue by the sea has to offer.
Delphi Resort & Spa, Leenane, Connemara, Galway
Guest capacity: 250 | Prices start from €69.00 | View Profile
If you’re looking for a rugged, unspoilt location for your special day, the breathtaking Delphi Resort & Spa in Connemara has it in spades. Surrounded by the majestic Mweelrea and Twelve Bens mountain ranges and set within 300 acres of forest, the resorts scenery is sure to impress guests and provide the perfect backdrop for endless photo opportunities. The resort takes a very personal approach with tailored packages so your wedding is a reflection of you as a couple – you can also book the venue on an exclusive basis. Couples looking to make a weekend of it are spoilt for choice when it comes to facilities with a beautiful spa onsite as well as an adventure centre and Delphi Resort & Spa can even create a bespoke pre or post-wedding package so that you and your guests can make the most of them.
Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Kilkenny
Guest capacity: 240 | Prices start from €65 | View Profile
Mount Juliet Estate in the historic Kilkenny city is an idyllic and utterly romantic setting for your dream day. Set within the confines of a stunning 1,500 acre estate – one of the oldest surviving walled estates in Europe – this elegant Georgian Manor House can cater for intimate parties up to 90 in their Lady Helen Dining Room and Tetratema Parlour. Or if you’re planning a larger bash up to 300 guests, you can enjoy all the luxury of Mount Juliet House for your drinks reception before retiring to their contemporary Riverside Marquee which boasts beautiful views of the River Nore and extensive paddocks of Ballylinch Stud.
Rock Farm Slane, Slane, Co. Meath
If you’re dreaming of an enchanting woodland setting for your Big Day, take a peek at the magical Rock Farm Slane. Nestled on the banks of the River Boyne, Rock Farm Slane has an abundance of beautiful scenery on its doorstep and will appeal to couples looking for a laid back, romantic setting for their boho style day. Rock Farm Slane offers high-end event management and works with Ireland’s top providers of Pavilion tents so you can entertain your guests in a truly unique setting. Guests will love it too with plenty of fun onsite accommodation options including luxury yurts and romantic sheperd tents.
Martinstown House, The Curragh, Co. Kildare
Guest capacity: 120 | Prices start from €4,250 | View Profile
Couples looking to create a laid back, and fun wedding in a beautiful country house will love all Martinstown House has to offer. Built in the 1830s, this exclusive hire venue has a mix of beautiful period features and character but with a charming, homely feel. Smaller weddings can take place in the lavish drawing rooms or larger parties up to 150 can celebrate in their marquee, which is right next to their Walled Garden (perfect for endless photo ops and can be used for civil ceremonies as well). Not far from the marquee is a cool sunken camp fire filled with trunk benches where guests can enjoy evening drinks by a roaring fire under the stars. Martinstown also has an awesome VW campervan onsite that couples are free to use for whatever they please.
Athenaeum House Hotel, Christendom, Co. Waterford
Guest capacity: 120 | Prices start from €55.00 | View Profile
Located on the banks of the River Suir over-looking the twinkling lights of Waterford city, this lovingly restored Georgian Mansion offers those in the South East the perfect setting to create their own unique day. Their motto is ‘Your Day, Your Way’ and the dedicated team are on hand to help you plan a day that reflects your style and tastes. Athenaeum is available on an exclusive basis so you can have the run of this intimate, boutique hotel if you wish for your own private house party with the added bonus of a professional team on hand to ensure you’ve everything you need.
Listoke House & Gardens, Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth
If you’re looking for a creative, quirky backdrop for your wedding day, the exclusive Listoke House & Gardens might just tick all your boxes. Just a stones throw from Drogheda in County Louth, Listoke is a unique and exciting space for your celebrations from the colourful Art Gallery, located in the Garden courtyard where you can exchange vows and party again during the reception to luxurious drawing rooms where guests can enjoy a wander during the drinks reception. Their new Craft Barn is due to open in Spring 2016, providing another alternative space for your reception festivities. And of course, there are plenty of cool spots for some memorable photos from the art-filled house itself to the beautiful mature gardens and woodlands.
Boyne Hill House Hotel, Kilcarn, Navan, Co. Meath
Guest capacity: 160 | Prices start from €59.95 | View Profile
Set on 38 acres of beautiful rugged countryside, Boyne Hill House Hotel is a charming 18th century Georgian Mansion House that offers couples a warm, elegant and exclusive location for their Big Day. Specialising in bespoke weddings, their mission is simple – to ensure you feel at home throughout your stay. Their banqueting suite overlooks the River Boyne and can cater for up to 160 guests, civil ceremonies can be held onsite as well. Couples can look forward to having the run of this private residence for their entire wedding celebrations and can enjoy all the beautiful estate has to offer including the much loved Secret Garden with its very own waterfall – the perfect backdrop for wedding photos.
Kippure Estate, Blessington, Co. Wicklow
Guest capacity: 180 | Prices start from €35.00 | View Profile
Just 40 minutes from Dublin, Kippure Estate is privately set on 240 acres of spectacular landscape with an abundance of natural beauty on its doorstep from ancient woodlands to secret valleys. Couples looking for a romantic, unspoilt location for their wedding celebrations can have their ceremony onsite in one of three beautiful rooms or they can choose from three magical outdoors settings including a Celtic stone circle and wooden footbridge over a sparkling stream. For the reception, a marquee can be set up on the grounds for larger weddings up to 200 guests and is perfect for couples who want to put their own personal stamp on their day.
AnnaCarriga, Killaloe, Co. Clare
Guest capacity: 300| Prices start from €74.00 | View Profile
If you’re looking to celebrate your Big Day at a romantic, laid back lakeside resort, AnnaCarriga in Co. Clare is a beautiful option. Overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lough Dergh, couples can look forward to celebrating at AnnaCarriga’s idyllic Lakeshore Pavillion which boasts a stunning glass Pavillion that overlooks the lake and can seat 300 guests. Weddings can also avail of the AnnaCarriga lake boats, marina and jetties on the day so you can truly appreciate all this charming spot has to offer as well and the photo opportunities are endless.
Ballinacurra House, Kinsale, Co. Cork
Guest capacity 130 | Prices start from €40.00 | View Profile
The charming Ballinacurra House is an ideal choice for couples looking to create a stylish and personalised wedding with a difference. The private country manor, originally built in 1791 is available exclusively to couples for the duration of their wedding celebrations so that they can relax with guests in their own personal estate. The 40 acre estate in the heart of Kinsale (the Gourmet Capital of Ireland) has everything you need onsite for a fun, romantic and relaxing stay including an outdoor entertainment patio, croquet lawn, picnic lawn, playground and a stream and pond for those looking to enjoy a romantic stroll on its ground. Its magnificent south-facing walled gardens and surrounding woodlands offers stunning photo opportunities for wedding parties and guests as well.
