Looking for somewhere unique to tie the knot? We’ve rounded up the best places that stand out from the crowd, from a funky art studio and elegant museums, to rustic farms and an underground brewery.
When it comes to wedding venues, we hardly want for choice here in Ireland. But instead of opting for the typical grand hotel or country house, these venues offer a unique experience for couples.
Whether you are artsy and swooning at the idea of getting hitched in a gallery or theatre, or you simply want a cool, unusual affair your guests will remember, these charming venues have something for every couple.
JANDO Studios
Co Dublin
Dublin’s iconic Chocolate Factory was recently taken over and revamped by Irish printmakers JANDO, making it somewhat of a hidden treasure for couples looking for a unique urban wedding venue in the city centre. The beautiful light-filled room with its high ceilings and industrial charm offers the perfect blank canvas for couples looking to put their own stamp on a space and bring their dream day to life.
Catering is provided in-house by the team at Blas, who can help curate your perfect menu from a full-service plated dinner to casual buffet-style dining. You will also get to take home a unique complimentary JANDO Soundwave print based on a song or moment from your wedding day as a memento. And, as a carbon-neutral business, JANDO also offers you an option to do something positive for guests by including a tree-planting wedding favour with Mossy Earth.
Accommodates: Up to 160 people.
The Station House Hotel
Co Meath
Located in Co Meath, less than an hour’s drive from Dublin, The Station House Hotel was originally built in 1862 as a busy railway junction before transforming into an award-winning, family-owned boutique hotel in 1984. The grounds very much maintain its original station feel but with an elevated elegance with converted locomotive workshops and station master’s quarters now luxurious hotel suites.
What truly makes it stand out though, is its sunken outdoor amphitheatre, The Turntable, surrounded by towering trees it feels as if you’re getting married in the middle of a magical forest. It’s the perfect ceremony space for a spring or summer wedding. Their indoor options include the Carriage Suite, with a garden-themed ceiling, or a more intimate affair in the Signal Restaurant.
Accommodates: Up to 90 people in the Signal Restaurant, 190 people in the Carriage Suite & 110 people seated in The Turntable (plus standing room).
Urban Brewing
Co Dublin
Hands down one of the coolest spaces in Dublin, Urban Brewing is in the iconic CHQ building, which dates back to 1820 when it served as a warehouse for cases of tobacco, tea and spirits. Nowadays, it’s the perfect home to a brewery, bar and restaurant, with a wide selection of drink and gourmet food options. In fact, it boasts a wine list of over 170 wines from all corners of the world, over 200 craft beers and an extensive cocktail list – their bartenders can even craft a personalised drink for your special day.
Wedding receptions are held in its three connected 200-year-old limestone vaults, offering a unique backdrop that requires little to no decor. Each space has customisable lighting, air conditioning and prime acoustics for music or a late-night DJ – ideal for couples who are keen on keeping the party going all evening long.
Accommodates: Up to 250 people.
Rock Farm Slane
Co Meath
We recently covered Paul and Patrice’s wedding in the beautiful Rock Farm Slane – and fell head over heels for this rustic venue. Couples can tie the knot under a stretch tent on the property’s glamping site, where guests can settle in on bales of hay and enjoy views of the surrounding woodlands, meadows and nearby river. It’s the perfect option for a summer wedding!
The ceremony then is followed by a drinks reception served from Le Shack or Lime House, with dinner and dancing in the Hay Barn. Delicious food is served on banquet style tables, which take up only a fraction of the large space, so there’s plenty of room for a stage, dancefloor and lounge area as well as a gravelled outdoor area for people to cool off between songs.
Accommodates: Up to 220 guests.
Imagery, above, by Katie Kavanagh.
Airfield Estate
Co Dublin
Tucked away in Dundrum, Airfield Estate is a 38-acre working farm with gorgeous, manicured gardens worthy of a royal wedding. It’s strongly known for its sustainability aspect, so it’s a great option for couples looking to lessen their party’s carbon footprint.
All the food is made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from Irish suppliers or harvested from the ground’s own gardens. They offer everything from intimate elopements to larger receptions in their indoor spaces, the Lily Butler Room and the Library at Airfield House, or outdoors in their picturesque Walled Garden.
Accommodates: Up to 110 guests.
Mount Druid
Co Westmeath
If your couple aesthetic is ‘vintage chic’ then look no further than Mount Druid in Castletown Geoghegan, Co Westmeath. This exquisite wedding venue set in a parkland of 100 acres and contains the quirkiest buildings to host your ceremony, dinner and reception.
Its Tin Chapel is a quaint gathering space for ceremonies nestled amid the pine trees, where guests will be seated in the raised amphitheatre overlooking the pond. Then, they can head on to The Boat House bar for drinks and canapes, adorned with art, antique furniture and a Jamie Oliver wood-burning pizza oven. Finally, The Barn is an idyllic dinner space, resplendent with a light-filled atrium, Jacobean library and an abundance of soft, antique furnishings to relax on before or after your meal.
Accommodates: Up to 170 guests.
Imagery, above, by Kelly McAllister Photography.
Brigit’s Garden
Co Galway
If you’re looking for a small but special wedding venue, Brigit’s Garden is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity that offers some lovely outdoor options. Inspired by Celtic heritage, its four gardens are ideal ceremony spots – the Bealtaine Garden, adorned with standing stones and a ceremonial throne, the sunken Imbolc Garden surrounded by beautiful flowers, the Lughnasa Garden nestled in the middle of a stone circle, and the Samhain Garden on a stone island surrounded by water lilies.
Each garden is designed to help guests reconnect with nature. There’s also a charming, circular thatched roundhouse, marquee and indoor space if you’re blessed with sunny showers on the day – they say it’s good luck!
Accommodates: Up to 60 guests.
Imagery, above left, by Lucy Nuzum.
The Village Barn
Co Westmeath
Available all year round, The Village Barn is an offbeat wedding venue in the Irish Midlands. It has its own private chapel on site, alongside a lovely, light-filled orangery available for drinks receptions afterwards. Picture quaint, mismatched furnishings, a roaring fire in the colder months and an outdoor patio for the warmer ones, so your guests will be toasty and comfortable no matter what the weather brings.
For an unrivalled view, The Barn has panoramic windows displaying the venue’s scenic surrounds and is set up for dinner and music to enjoy throughout the night. Its decor includes old school desks, arm chairs, antique chandeliers and quirky treasures that add to its character.
Accommodates: Up to 180 guests.
Imagery, above right, Louise Scott Photography.
National Gallery Ireland
Co Dublin
Many people don’t know this, but you can tie the knot in Dublin’s own National Gallery Ireland overlooking Merrion Square – and what an exquisite setting to do so! Couples and wedding guests will enter through a private entrance with a red carpet on the day, with the festivities taking place in their beautifully refurbished suite of Georgian rooms.
The bride and groom can have their ceremony, drinks reception and dinner in this special area, with a range of caterers available to provide food and refreshments. Plus, guests can arrange a private tour on the day (at an additional cost) for an exclusive experience. Ideal for an intimate gathering, the venue can accommodate up to 40 guests. Simply email [email protected] or download their wedding brochure online to learn more.
Accommodates: Up to 40 guests.
Smock Alley Theatre
Co Dublin
For fans of the theatre, what could be a more perfect venue than Dublin’s oldest – Smock Alley is a restored 17th-century theatre building. It was Ireland’s first Theatre Royal in 1662 before it was recreated as a Catholic Church in 1811, and finally restored to its former glory as Smock Alley Theatre in 2012. Weddings take place in its Banquet Hall, which features stunning stained glass windows that flood the room with light.
The acoustics for music here are perfect for string instruments and it’s fully licensed too, so you and up to 150 guests can celebrate with a post-ceremony glass of bubbly and a bite to eat until heading to a nearby pub or restaurant for a sit-down meal. There are plenty of amazing options nearby and it’s a fantastic spot for Dublin city centre weddings.
Accommodates: Up to 150 guests.
Museum of Literature Ireland
Co Dublin
The Museum of Literature Ireland is centrally located at the south end of Stephen’s Green, and if you haven’t given this relatively new space (well, newish to the museum scene) a visit, it’s well worth stopping by! You can experience immersive exhibitions, view treasures from the National Library of Ireland, or relax amid their tranquil gardens and café.
The venue also recently started hosting small weddings, with ceremonies held in its Old Physics Theatre, with a private entrance for guests at No. 85 St Stephen’s Green, and drinks receptions held in the beautiful Saloon space. Couples can take photos in the nearby park, in the museum’s wonderful Reader’s Garden or through private access to the striking Iveagh Gardens.
Accommodates: Up to 60 guests.
This article was originally published in Jan 2024.
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