Fairytale Weddings at Dromoland Castle

From planning the itinerary to hosting the rehearsal dinner, from fine banquet dining to a decorated bridal suite, Dromoland Castle offers everything required to make the princess bride's dreams come true.

There is a great sense of arrival for the wedding party and guests as they traverse the magical winding approach to the castle's Kincora Gallery, with its separate entrance, vaulted ceilings, and beautifully crafted floor-to-ceiling windows. (A classic horse drawn carriage is indeed on offer!) Just beyond lies Brian Boru Hall, the venue for wedding celebrations with 120 to 300 guests. The majestic hall -- named in honor of the High King of Ireland whose descendants made the castle their ancestral home -- features arched balconies, heraldic banners, chandeliered ceilings, and rich wood paneling, creating a uniquely romantic and dramatic atmosphere. It is served by a dedicated kitchen and bakery and further complimented by two preparation rooms (the Norse Room and the Celt Room), a walled garden ideal for champagne receptions, and a nearby honeymoon suite, one of several with special amenities and unique layouts.

The castle itself, a magnificent historic Renaissance structure built in the sixteenth century and surrounded by a 410 acre estate, provides a delightful variety of additional venues for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and photographs. Complemented by luxurious accommodations, grand yet welcoming common areas, unparalleled service, dining selections to satisfy the most discriminating palate, and recreational activities galore, Dromoland Castle suits any style of nuptials ... but as a setting for a classic ceremony inspired by stories of old, it simply cannot be surpassed.

Venues for smaller yet-still-fanciful celebrations in the castle proper include The Terrace Room and The Drawing Room, suitable for parties of 31 to 70 people and 10 to 30 people, respectively. The Terrace Room welcomes the outdoors in, with two walls of windows and an open, airy feel, while The Drawing Room is cozy and warm, graced by a fireplace and portraits of the Irish royalty that once walked the castle halls. Both offer views of classic Irish estate scenery, including stone terraces leading the eye to lush green lawns, a lovely fountain, and the graceful white “Temple of Mercury” folly framed by ancient woodlands. Favorite places for picture-perfect fairytale photographs include the walled gardens, the Temple, and various balustrades in the castle and hall.

Wedding coordinator extraordinaire Margaret Daly personifies Dromoland Castle's commitment to ensuring a fairytale matrimonial experience. Her credo: “It isn't enough to meet expectations; we must exceed them.” And exceed them she does, if the thank-you notes she receives -- and the many return visits to mark anniversaries and holidays -- are any indication.

With standards such as these, Margaret and her team excel in making wedding fantasies a reality, personalizing each aspect of the celebration and attending to every detail, from scheduling the initial consultation to planning multi-day guest itineraries. The reception receives special attention, of course; a wide selection of menu items has been carefully designed to incorporate the very best of locally-sourced ingredients, allowing the bride and groom to personalize their choices while benefiting from the expertise and imagination of Executive Chef David McCann. The banquet service team offers unparalleled service as well -- deft and attentive but never intrusive.

Guests, too, will feel as if they're living a dream, with access to the many country castle recreational pursuits on offer at Dromoland. A romantic and thrilling hawk walk led by a master from The Dromoland School of Falconry, incorporating a tour of an ancient hillfort; archery, with instruction available; fly fishing the lake and stream; strolling the classically landscaped grounds; taking High Tea in the Gallery; and sipping a Jamison's at the Cocktail Bar are just a few of them. Then there are the modern amenities, including the award-winning golf course and club, the spa with its outdoor gazebo sheltering a hydro tub; and the swimming pool.

As if all this weren't dreamy enough, every celebration is offered the following value-added amenities:

• Dromoland Castle's commitment to hosting only one wedding party per day;
• Complementary hosting in the venue of choice;
• A complimentary bridal suite for the wedding night;
• Complimentary personalized menus and place cards;
• Specially discounted room rates for guests, and
• Use of the picturesque demesne for wedding day photography and video, including the Folly, the marvelous walled gardens with their ancient gateway, Laugh Dromoland, the lawns, and, of course, the castle itself.

The weddings team is also pleased to recommend ancillary service providers, each of them a professional eager to ensure that plans are executed to perfection. These include the expert staff of The Spa at Dromoland, experienced drivers with a range of luxury and vintage vehicles, a properly outfitted coachman and classic horse-drawn carriage, a welcoming bagpiper, floral design professionals, jazz trios, string quartets, dance bands and D.J.s, and wedding cake artisans.

Dromoland Castle: where dreams of a fairytale “I do” come true.