Top Alternative Wedding Venues in Ireland – For an Intimate, Unique Wedding Day

Venues

blackhall place alternative wedding venues dublin the law society

1, Blackhall Place, The Law Society of Ireland, Dublin

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNo€70 PP

The stately and prestigious Blackhall Place is one of the finest properties in the country in which to hold a bespoke, unique city wedding. The headquarters of the Law Society in Ireland provides a historic setting for couples to exchange vows in a wholly exclusive affair. The President’s Hall with its beautiful feature stain glass window and high ceilings is the room of choice for civil ceremonies. There is also an opportunity to hold a marquee wedding on the grounds for a contemporary city wedding with a larger guest list. lawsociety.ie

fitzwilliam place wedding venue alternative ireland

 

2. No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNo€120 PP60 people seated

The fabulous No. 25 Fitzwilliam Place, sister of the renowned Brasserie le Pont restaurant, is a sophisticated and romantic city wedding venue in the heart of Dublin. The magnificant Georgian townhouse has been lovingly resored to balance its unique period features with more contemporary decor for a modern, classic feel. Fitzwilliam Place is a short distance from the Registry Office on Grand Canal Street and offers a choice of private rooms for wedding parties. Executive Chef James Doyle works with couples to create a bespoke and beautiful wedding menu for their big day, so guests will be treated to fine dining as they toast the bride and groom. 25fitzwilliamplace.ie

top alternative venues for weddings in dublin - national gallery
Photo by DK Photo

3. No. 5 The National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNoRooms rent from €250up to 40 people for ceremony
up to 90 for sit down dinner

No. 5 at the National Gallery of Ireland is a stunning choice of venue for a truly unique and memorable city wedding. No. 5 is a beautifully restored Georgian house forming part of the National Gallery of Ireland and is furnished with historic furniture and paintings from the Gallery’s collection. The setting walks a wonderful line between tradition and modernity, where the grandeur of the building and its contents is balanced with an intimacy and warmth of atmosphere. A lovely touch from the venue is that you can choose your favourite image from the National Collection, which can then be used for all your stationery and will be finished with special scirpt form the Gallery’s appointed calligrapher. nationalgallery.ie

wedding in shanahans on the green dublin
Photos by Fusion Photography

4. Shanahan’s on the Green, Dublin

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNoContact [email protected]Contact [email protected]

 

Shanahan’s on the Green is one of the most illustrious restaurants in Dublin, renowned for its warm and convivial atmosphere and spectacular fine dining experience. Luckily for chic couples looking for an intimate and unique venue for their big day, it also now acts as a romantic restaurant wedding venue. A drinks reception at Shanahan’s is an experience in itself, with their Oval Office providing an oasis for guests to relax and mingle in style before the settle in one of the restaurants three specially appointed rooms for an elegant meal overlooking St. Stephen’s Green. shanahans.ie

alternative venue wedding la caverna

6. La Caverna, Temple Bar, Dublin

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
NoNosee menu40 on each level

Situated in the heart of Temple Bar in Dublin city centre, La Caverna is a family run restaurant that offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere for cool and contemporary city weddings. The main restaurant is spread over three levels, each comfortably seating up to 40 people however it’s the beautifully crafted 18th Century Barrel vault of the newly renovated 300-year-old Wine Cellar that acts as a stunning and unusual dining area for intimate, low key and high style weddings. La Caverna is a ‘little taste of Italy’ in Ireland’s capital and is perfect for cool, contemporary couples looking to celebrate their nuptials with exquisite food in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. lacaverna.ie

sol y sombre sol y sombre

7. Sol y Sombra, Kerry

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNo€55 PP60-120

 

Sol y Sombra, a tapas bar set in a distinctive former Church of Ireland building, is truly one of Ireland’s most unique wedding venues. An ideal place for a civil ceremony or partnership, the restaurant maintains all the beauty of a religious setting but with no affiliation to any church. Its original stained glass windows cast an atmospheric light over proceedings (in fact it is from these windows that the restaurant gets its name –Sol y Sombra, meaning Sun and Shade) and it’s heavenly acoustics are both enchanting aspects of the venue. An informal yet stylish tapas wedding breakfast will create a wonderfully intimate ambiance and their Head Chef Sara Pastor Sanchez is can create a sumptuous set of dishes (including a traditional Irish menu, depending on your preferences) for every guest to enjoy. solysombra.com 

coolcarrigan
Photos by Lisa ODwyer Photography & Inspired by Love

8. Coolcarrigan Church, Co. Kildare

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNo60 people

Coolcarrigan church in Co.Kildare is a unique and traditional church located in the confines of Coolcarrigan estate within a small forest looking out on to parkland and surrounded by a circular dry moat. This old-style setting is perfect for couples looking for a more alternative wedding venue for their wedding blessing or ceremony. Coolcarrigan garden can be hired for drinks and canapes after the wedding ceremony. It’s a 15 acre garden of meandering paths with impressive vistas around every corner containing some of the rarest and most unusual plants and shrubs in Ireland.coolcarrigan.ie

See A Serene & Intimate Blessing at Coolcarrigan in Real Weddings

top alternative wedding venues in ireland
Photo by Give us a Goo Photography

9. Kippure Estate, Co. Wicklow

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesYes. 150 approx€35 PPMarquee option available

Kippure Estate is privately set on 240 acres secret valleys and ancient woodlands, hugged by purple heather soaked granite mountains and shaped by the meandering River Liffey. This tranquil, exquisite setting is the ideal setting for couples who wish to plan a personal and memorable celebration. For larger weddings a maquee can be set up on the grounds alongside the main estate where guests can party into the night after enjoying a day of free reign over some of the most beautifully wild and unspoilt countryside in Ireland.

See An Alternative Wedding at Kippure Estate in Real Weddings

top alternative venues wedding ireland  

10. Mount Druid, Co. Westmeath

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNoup to 200

Mount Druid is a beautiful boutique wedding venue located in Co. Westmeath, the idea of which is to make your wedding as fun and relaxed as possible. Intimate and alternative ceremonies can be carried out in the so-called ‘Chapel’, an alternative, quaint gathering space nestled among the trees on our site while simple blessings can be held in the ‘Tin Chapel’. Drinks receptions are held in the Summer House which is a gorgeous space overlooking the onsite lake, and their new Boat House beside can be used in the case of the more ‘unfavourable’ aspects of Irish weather. After the relaxing drinks reception, guests are invited to the cool converted ‘Barn’, decorated in a gorgeous combination of shabby chic with antique and restored furniture, for dinner and dancing.

See A Thouroughly Stylish Affair at Mount Druid in Real Weddings

beaufield mews wedding venue ireland alternative wedding venue beaufield mews
Photos by Inspired by Love

11. Beaufield Mews, Co. Dublin

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesNoContact [email protected]approx 200

 

Beaufield Mews a hidden oasis in Ireland’s capital. Located just four miles from Dublin City Centre, it is the perfect mix of accessibility and seclusion, features that have facilitated the restaurant’s place as the oldest restaurant in Dublin. A glorious olive and bay tree-lined driveway provides an idyllic entrance to the 18th Century stables and courtyard, and private gardens provide a peaceful setting for guests to mingle while sipping on pre-dinner champagne cocktails. The venue mixes old world charm with an alternative twist, rustic picnics have become popular for informal summer weddings on the lawn, while the restaurant’s Mini Feast menus are a cute alternative to the traditional wedding breakfast. beaufieldmews.com 

tinakily house

12. Tinakilly House, Co. Wicklow

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesYes€70 PPup to 100 people

Tinakilly House in Co. Wicklow was built in 1883 is set in seven acres of mature gardens overlooking the Irish Sea, just 45 minutes from Dublin. Weddings are held in the exquisite Halpin Suite which boasts a stunning sea views through large bay windows which also flood the room with natural light. The old manor house is spotted with stunning Victorian style furniture and is full of character, making for a wedding day that feels personal, warm and unique to each couple. Tinakilly is licensed for the performing of Civil Marriage Ceremonies.

ballinacurra house

13. Ballinacurra House, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Civil CeremoniesAccomodationStarting PriceCaters for
YesYes – 54€70 PP130 people

Ballinacurra house specialises in small, stylish weddings with difference – where Privacy is the ultimate luxury. Winner of the 2013 WeddingsOnline.ie Exclusive Venue of the Year, the house is the venue of choice for couples looking for a unique experience and their own little haven for their wedding celebration. The private country manor sits on a 40 acre land and comes complete with a personal chef who can tailor your wedding menu to your specific requirements. The magnificent south-facing walled gardens feature an outdoor entertainment patio, croquet lawn, playground, helipad, picnic lawn, stream and pond, and lead down to woods and a small boat jetty.

See Rachel & Mark in Ballinacurra House, by Brian Terry Photography in Real Weddings

By Karen Birney