The Six Best Places to Get Married in Ireland

The Six Best Places for an Irish Wedding

As anyone who is newly married will attest to, wedding ceremonies are a magical celebration, whether on a beach in Hawaii or at a chapel in Las Vegas. There is something truly special, however, about an Irish wedding. Perhaps it is the beautiful, soft Celtic light that falls across the face of the bride, or the sound of a warm, crackling fire in an ancient castle, but it definitely is unique.

Adare Manor, once the hunting retreat of an English gentleman, is breathtaking and awe inspiring, and most certainly tops our survey. The Adare staff, unpretentious yet attentive, are of the highest quality. A great hall candlelit meal is a wonderful experience on it's own. As a location for a wedding, it is unequaled and unmatched.

However, Powerscourt Castle, runs a very close second to Adare. Just outside Dublin in the Wicklow Hills, Powerscourt Castle is refined and warm. Its beautiful and sprawling gardens also include one of the very best golf courses in Ireland.

The Radisson SAS St Helens caters for those who are looking for the advantages of a wedding ceremony in the big city without the bustle. Just fifteen minutes from the centre of Dublin, on exquisite and spacious grounds, it's a hidden jewel. Inside the walls the city seems as though it's hundreds of miles away. The Radisson SAS St Helens has a variety of packages, from the standard to A Diamond Package for those that wish to push the boat out that bit further.

Next is Dromoland Castle, in the central part of County Clare. The proprietors describe this venue as one in which modern age amenities are combined with old-world grace. This isn't an idle claim. Dromoland Castle is also fewer than ten miles from Shannon airport, a transatlantic travel stop over point, making it really accessible for family and friends that are traveling from the US.

For a touch of the countryside, check out Hotel Dunloe Castle. Surrounded by more than sixty acres of parkland and gardens, and overlooking the renowned Gap of Dunloe, a wedding here permits guests or the wedding party to easily travel around some of the most gorgeous landscape in Europe.

For those who prefer big city buzz, University Church is a wonderful place for the wedding ceremony. Set on Stephens Green, in the centre of Dublin, you will find your pick of hotels in the surrounding area to hold the wedding reception. The August Shelbourne Hotel, the Fitzwilliam Hotel, and the Merrion Hotel are all within walking distance. From the beauty of the newly refurbished Shelbourne to the chic Merrion, any and all of these locations provide an occasion of the highest quality.

The business of weddings in Ireland is thriving and there is an abundance of information and resources, particularly on the web, that can help you plan. For information on essentials from bridesmaids dresses to chauffeur services, you'll find comprehensive lists are available if you look. If it is the magic of Celtic culture and tradition that appeals to you about having an Irish wedding, there are a lot of jewelers who can provide Irish wedding ring sets to fit any taste.

So, putting together a wedding in Ireland could not be much simpler, save, of course, for the small matter of finding your special someone. But, really, how tough is that?

L Maher is a writer for http://www.irishcelticjewels.com who writes about Irish history, customs and the remarkable places to have the perfect wedding in Ireland. Get information on Dromoland Castle Hotel and the meaning of Celtic and Claddagh wedding jewelry.