As any newly-wed will attest to, a wedding ceremony is a magical and beautiful event, whether in a little chapel in Las Vegas or on a beach in Kauai. But there is something truly special about an Irish wedding. Maybe it is the soft, beautiful Celtic light falling across the face of the bride, or the warm crackling fire in a castle hall, but it definitely is unique.
Once the hunting retreat of an English gentleman, Adare Manor is awe inspiring and stunning, and is at the top of our list. Adare Manor's staff, thoughtful yet unobtrusive, are of the highest quality. A great hall candlelit meal is an experience on it's own. As a wedding venue, it is unequaled and unmatched.
Powerscourt Castle, however, runs a close second to Adare Manor. Just outside of Dublin in the Wicklow Hills, Powerscourt Castle is welcoming and classy. The beautiful and sprawling gardens have a golf course that's one of the best in Ireland.
For couples who are looking for a taste of the country, try Hotel Dunloe Castle. Surrounded by more than sixty acres of parkland and gardens with an amazing view of the renowned Gap of Dunloe, weddings here would allow their guests and the wedding party to travel easily to see some of the most exquisite scenery in Europe.
Next is Dromoland Castle, in the heart of County Clare. The proprietors describe this location as one in which old-world sophistication is combined with the conveniences of the modern age. This is not an idle claim. Dromoland is fewer than ten miles from Shannon airport, which is a stop-over point for transatlantic travel, making it highly accessible for those that are coming from the US.
The Radisson SAS St Helens caters for people who want the advantages of a wedding in the big city without any of the commotion. Only fifteen minutes from the centre of Dublin, on exquisite and sweeping grounds, it is a hidden jewel. Inside the walls the city seems like it's hundreds of miles away. This amazing hotel has a variety of packages, from a basic rate to A Diamond Package for those that prefer to push the boat out that little bit further.
For anyone that likes the buzz of a big city, University Church is a wonderful place for the wedding ceremony. On Stephens Green, in Dublin's very heart, you will find a huge selection of hotels in the surrounding area to hold the reception. The Fitzwilliam Hotel, the Merrion Hotel, and the August Shelbourne Hotel are all within walking distance. From the majesty of the newly refurbished Shelbourne to the trendy Merrion, all of these locations are ready and willing to provide a wedding celebration of only the highest quality.
The Irish wedding business is thriving and there is an abundance of resources and information, particularly online, that can help in your planning. For information on essentials from wedding cakes to bridesmaids dresses, you'll find extensive lists available. If it is the magic of Celtic tradition and culture that is intriguing about an Irish wedding, there are also many jewelers that provide Celtic wedding rings to fit the occasion.
So, planning a wedding in Ireland couldn't really be too much simpler, save, of course, for the small matter of finding your special someone. But, really, how hard is that ?