Ireland's most famous country house (modestly described as 'a large family farmhouse' in their Blue Book entry) is a place that may not immediately come to mind for a wedding, but the Allen family's fine creeper-clad old house surrounded by well-maintained lawns and woodland serves what many regard as the best food in Ireland, and is as romantic a venue as one could wish for.
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Georgian country house is set in seven acres of Heritage Gardens. There are Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic churches close by (a vintage Austin 7 is available for hire), and blessings are possible here in the gardens - which are also perfect for photographs.
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Couples can choose from the exclusive Balyna Country House catering for up to 70 people or the contemporary Moyvalley Hotel catering for up to 250 people as a wedding location.
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John and Norah Egan, who farm the surrounding 250 acres, took over this magnificent 1720 house in a state of dereliction in 1985 and then restored it to the handsome, comfortably furnished period house, with the correct Georgian decor, which guests enjoy today.
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Just a couple of miles west of Kinsale, this luxurious private residence is set in wooded grounds with landscaped gardens, and is available for exclusive hire only. The house was built in 1791 and has recently been renovated by owners Des and Lisa McGahan, who have created a 21st century take on Georgian style.
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From the minute you turn off the busy Nenagh/Borrisokane road towards Ashley Park, you will find yourself in a time warp. Margaret and P J Mounsey's home is one of those beautiful 18th century houses where all is elegance and comfort - this is a place that breathes an old-fashioned order, comfort and charm.
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Once the residence of the Earls of Courtown, and now an elegant oasis of unashamed luxury, where guests are cosseted and pampered in sumptuous surroundings, the Bowe family's impressive Regency house is set in 36 acres of woodlands and immaculately maintained gardens - and imposing gates, a wooded drive, antiques and glittering chandeliers all promise a very special experience.
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Once described as a "capsule of social history" in honour of their collection of family portraits and memorabilia going back 250 years or more, Johnny and Lucy Madden's wonderful 18th century mansion is approached by a mile-long driveway and set in 500 acres of woodland, lakes and pastures. With lakes, Pleasure Grounds and a Lovers' Walk to set the right tone, Hilton Park is as romantic as anyone could wish for, and it is available as an exclusive venue for weddings.
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The O'Callaghan family's elegant Georgian mansion is set in 500 acres of private wooded grounds, and the location - overlooking the famous River Blackwater, and the ruins of the original O'Callaghan home, Dromineen Castle - is lovely.
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Clonabreany House and Courtyard is a magnificent new wedding & holiday destination located in the heart of County Meath just 10 minutes from Kells. The historic property is surrounded by breathtaking countryside and consists of a beautifully restored courtyard containing 10 self contained cottages which can sleep up to 84 people, a cosy sibín bar, two magnificently restored georgian houses, a luxurious private honeymoon suite and a grand marquee with bar, dancing and dining facilities catering for up to 220 guests.
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This 300-year-old mansion half way between Dublin and Cork has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and, overlooking beautiful terraced gardens to the south, and the River Erkina to the north, it makes a magnificently romantic wedding venue. There are five local churches to choose from - four Catholic and one Church of Ireland - all are beautiful...
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The Greene family's gracious mansion is surrounded by its own farmland, magnificent wooded grounds, a trout lake and formal terraced gardens, all carefully managed and well maintained. The Italianate style of the present house - including a pillared hall with a baby grand piano and open fire -dates from the mid 19th century when modifications were made to the original house of 1728.
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What a wonderful venue for a wedding: Philippe and Sabine de Mey's beautiful property enjoys a stunning waterside location at the head of Dunmanus Bay, in West Cork. Although additions over the years have enlarged the restaurant considerably - including an elegant conservatory overlooking a courtyard garden...
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The McEvilly family's lovely country house hotel is set in beautiful gardens with its own little beach, and is renowned for its peacefulness, a high level of comfort and thoughtful service. The house is very relaxing, with open fires, comfortable chintzy furniture, and a proper bar with a conservatory area overlooking the gardens to the side of the house. There's an old church just half a mile away - and wedding blessings can be arranged at the hotel.
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Conveniently located just an hour from Dublin or Belfast airports, the Carroll family's 18th century house is attractively situated in its own grounds on the edge of Carlingford village, with romantic views across the lough to the Mountains of Mourne.
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Tankardstown has quickly established itself as one of Ireland’s most desirable country house destinations - a wonderful place for a short break, the house also lends itself particularly well to small weddings (up to 70 guests can be catered for to dine in the house and a marquee can be arranged for larger numbers), and is ideal for a family reunion or special birthday party.
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The O'Flynn family's renowned 1798 country house is beautifully-located in 350 acres of lush parkland and gardens, on the western edge of the Wicklow Hills, only an hour's drive south of Dublin. There are numerous old country churches nearby, and wedding blessings can also be held in Rathsallagh's beautiful walled garden (perfect for photographs) or indoors, in The Orangerie.
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One of Ireland's most unspoilt old houses, this is a Georgian mansion on 1,200 acres of farm and woodland, overlooking the original lakeside castle which was built by the Knights Templar in 1200 A.D. The Percevals have lived here since 1665, and the house was redesigned and refurbished in 1864...
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Bordering on romantic Yeats country, in the hills just above Lough Arrow, Christy and Moira Tighe's hotel enjoys one of the finest views in Ireland and it makes a very special wedding venue for the most discerning of guests.
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Maire O'Connor's former sporting lodge is romantically located on the shores of Lough Inagh and makes a delightful small hotel, with an hospitable country house atmosphere, and large, well-proportioned rooms - including an appealing bar with a big turf fire.
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This fine Georgian residence overlooking the beautiful River Suck was built within the enclosure of a medieval castle between 1690 and 1720 and now offers country house accommodation and makes a wonderful exclusive venue for weddings. With landscaped gardens, an orchard of rare apple trees, the towers of the ruined castle and an ice-house in the grounds, this is a highly romantic place for a wedding.
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Just south of Londonderry, surrounded by 32 acres of peaceful woodland, waterfalls and gardens, this house dates from 1729 and retains many of its original details. There are plenty of churches to choose from in the area but the hotel is licensed to hold weddings, so you can opt to have the ceremony in the hotel (the Library, once the private chapel of the Skipton family who built the house, makes a fine setting for small numbers) or in the grounds - which also provide romantic settings for photographs.
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Ardtara is an elegantly decorated Victorian country house with well-proportioned rooms, antique furnishings and fresh flowers - and, with a choice of churches in the area and wedding blessings possible at Ardtara, it makes a lovely venue. Beautiful, well maintained gardens surround the house and offer plenty of romantic photo opportunities.
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Mark Foyle's graciously proportioned, pink-washed Regency house looks out serenely across gardens planted with rare shrubs and plants to a tidal inlet and the mountains beyond. It is a lovely wedding venue, and there is nothing in the slightest bit formulaic about the way things are done here...
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Bantry House is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay in the south west of Ireland. All Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the beautifully restored en-suite rooms in the East and West wings of the House look out over the south facing garden and hundred steps.
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Just a short drive from the county town, this welcoming late Georgian house in secluded parkland is in a lovely, peaceful area close to Donegal Bay. Belgian proprietor, Edward Dewael - who fell for the property some years ago and is still in the process of upgrading it - personally ensures that everything possible is done to make guests feel at home...
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Set in fine rolling countryside in its own farmland and grounds, Breda Thomas’s lovely 18th century house overlooking the River Nore is blessed with an utterly restful location.
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Home to his famous restaurant, The Mustard Seed, which started life in Adare in 1985, Dan Mullane's spacious Victorian country residence is set on seven acres of lovely gardens, with mature trees, shrubberies, a kitchen garden and orchard - and very luxurious accommodation.
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Situated in lovely countryside near Londonderry, the McCausland family's fine Georgian manor dates back to 1830 and is one of the great houses of Northern Ireland. Designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, who engineered the scenic coast road between Larne and Portrush...
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Built in 1853 as a coast guard regional headquarters, this fine property on the edge of the wonderfully away-from-it-all village of Ballycastle was later acquired by the Sisters of Mercy, who named it Stella Maris. It now makes a very special small seasonal hotel, restored by proprietors Terence McSweeney and Frances Kelly, who have created a warm and stylish interior where antiques rub shoulders with contemporary pieces.
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Situated in idyllic countryside on an island, in the heart of the Fermanagh Lakelands, Belle Isle Castle - which is owned by the Duke of Abercorn - has magical lake views; the original castle dates back to 1680 with mid-19th century additions and, for a naturally romantic venue, this would take some beating.
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Situated on the banks of the River Boyne, downstream from the town of Drogheda, Beaulieu was one of the first unfortified houses built in Ireland. It was built in the Dutch style between 1660 and 1666 for Sir Henry Tichbourne, of whom the present family are ninth generation descendants. Beaulieu is quite unique in Ireland and makes an unusual and romantic location for a wedding...
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James and Beryl Kearney's lovely 1750s Georgian house just on the edge of Longford town was once owned by Lord Longford, and is set in four acres of beautiful wooded gardens. It is a delightful house and has been sensitively restored with style, combining elements of grandeur with a human scale that makes guests feel very comfortable.
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Tattersalls is an elegant country house which is available for exclusive event hire; it is surrounded by a terrace which can be seen from each room through huge windows, and has beautiful gardens There are many lovely stone country churches to choose from in the area, and wedding blessings can be arranged at the house, at an extra charge.
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John and Louise Mathers' fine Georgian country house is less than half an hour's drive southwest of Belfast yet, in a wonderful setting of mature trees, gardens and green fields on the edge of the quiet village of Magheralin, it feels like worlds away.
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Just off the Ring of Kerry, Frank and Mary Slattery's delightful Victorian country house is as romantic a location as any bride could wish for, set in acres of secluded lakeside gardens, with its own private jetty.
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The jewel in the crown of all the places to stay in Ireland, this house set deep in the Wicklow mountains was famous for the "raffish weekends" thrown there by the present owner's mother, Oonagh Guinness, one of the "Golden Guinness girls", and it has also been used as a setting for many films, most recently King Arthur.
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Clonalis House is set amid peaceful parklands and stands on the land that has been the home of the O'Conors of Connacht for 1,500 years. The present house is a 45-roomed Victorian Italianate mansion and could seem a little daunting on arrival, but it's a magic place - and the hospitable owners, Pyers and Marguerite O'Conor-Nash...
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