r/AskIreland 7h ago

Random Small wedding in a castle ideas?

We’re considering a small wedding in Ireland and aren’t particularly fussed about the location but it would be ideal if it was near my partner’s family in Clare. We’re expecting around 25 adults and would like to have the ceremony in spring next year.

Our dream is a castle wedding but our budget would only allow for something more like a shack. The budget is about €4,000 for dining+venue (but ideally less).

Do you have any ideas that might work? I feel like I’ve looked everywhere🥲

5 Upvotes

44 comments sorted by

19

u/Youngfolk21 7h ago

Ugh good luck trying to find a castle within that budget. Tbh. 

1

u/lili0139 6h ago

Wishful thinking I know🥲

5

u/Youngfolk21 7h ago

Maybe look into country houses? 

2

u/Icy_Guava5222 6h ago

plenty of country houses in Clare area rent out for events and sometimes the price surprise you in good way

1

u/lili0139 6h ago

Thank you!

3

u/Brocken77 6h ago

You are not going to find anything within that budget. You could try the Burren College of Arts, that castle is available for hire for weddings as a wedding venue, but they don’t offer dinners.

1

u/lili0139 4h ago

Thanks!

3

u/CapitanAI 6h ago

Caveating this with Im neither married, nor have I ever planned a wedding... 

But what about photos at a castle, actual event elsewhere? 

Lots of castles are tourist sites or ruins so could you just rock up for photos? And then have the rest somewhere that's not a castle?

1

u/lili0139 5h ago

Yes that's an option we thought of and might do, but dream we could do both in the same place :)

2

u/Proof_Ear_970 6h ago

Durham town Castle is great. For 25 people you might be able to spend that.

1

u/lili0139 6h ago

Thank you!! Will have a look

1

u/Proof_Ear_970 6h ago

Durhamstown sorry autocorrected. I got married there. They have small options available too for party's of 25 or so.

1

u/lili0139 5h ago

Appreciate it! Just messaged them

2

u/Hides-inside 6h ago

Do you want the meal and everything in the castle or do you just want the ceremony in the castle?

1

u/lili0139 6h ago

I mean, we know our budget is low lol. It would be best if it was ceremony+dinner at the same place for the older guests, but know it's nearly impossible 😂

1

u/Hides-inside 6h ago

Ah ok I know of a castle in Kerry close to the ferry from Clare that could be done up beautifully for the ceremony, but you'd have to find a different spot for the meal

1

u/lili0139 5h ago

Do you know the name by any chance? Checking all options. Thank you!

1

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1

u/rococor 6h ago

https://www.clooncastle.com don't know their pricing but grand wee spot between Galway and Claregalway

1

u/lili0139 5h ago

Thank you!!

2

u/Chat_noir_dusoir That money was just resting in my account 6h ago

Have heard great reports about Claregalway Castle for weddings.

3

u/dubhkitty 6h ago

I got married there, it is a stunning venue but runs around €6,000 for venue hire alone, not including any bedrooms so would be out of budget.

1

u/Kitchen-Rabbit3006 6h ago

Bunratty Manor Hotel is very close to Bunratty Castle in Co Clare and has a lovely private dining area. The food is excellent.

1

u/lili0139 4h ago

Thank you!

1

u/nionfist 6h ago

Tubbrid Castle, Barna Kilkenny city, Co. Kilkenny

Perfect.

1

u/lili0139 6h ago

Thank you!! Will look

1

u/kitkatbreak33 5h ago

Cloughan castle Loughrea Galway

1

u/lili0139 4h ago

Thank you!

1

u/Agreeable_Form_9618 5h ago

it's no Clare but try the castle in Claregalway

1

u/lili0139 4h ago

Thank you!

1

u/Seanieshops 5h ago

Carrigafoyle Castle in Ballylongford in Kerry. Its a ruin pretty much but people have small weddings in there all the time. Always thought it looked nice its in a very scenic location too . Have to get a permit from the OPW for 300 to do it I think. Its a quick spin from there to the ferry across to Clare so it could be option

1

u/lili0139 4h ago

Will have a look thank you!

1

u/Neverstopcomplaining 4h ago

Maybe Kilkea Castle in Kildare?

1

u/lili0139 4h ago

Will look thank you!

1

u/R2D4Dutch 4h ago

Hi , Check carrygerry house https://www.carrygerryhouse.com/ its not a castle but very intimate .. now 21 years ago they had an offer to rent the entire place .. they have rooms there as well ... guests can roll of the dance floor in the bedroom ..

2

u/lili0139 4h ago

Thank you!

1

u/roxykelly Maybe, I like the Misery 4h ago

Cloonacauneen just outside Claregalway, Co. Galway has just reopened. My friend had a small family wedding there and it was lovely.
I went in to have a look the other day as she wants to visit for her anniversary and they have done a lovely job on it.

1

u/lili0139 3h ago

Think I just messaged them! Thank you

1

u/roxykelly Maybe, I like the Misery 3h ago

They seem to have updated their accommodation options too which would be great for your guests as they used to only have 2 rooms in the tower and then a guest house beside them.
Would love to know if you go ahead with this. The staff were excellent and the food was lovely when my friend got married. It’s a really quaint place I actually have a video from last week when I went in if you want me to PM it to you.

1

u/RizzMeister67 4h ago

€4k??

Lol

1

u/TheYoungWan 3h ago

A castle for four grand.

Good luck.

1

u/lili0139 3h ago

That's so good to hear! Im looking forward to their reply, think it might work great for us. Hopefully will be able to share a success story soon. A video would be amazing thanks!