October 2025 | Tara Fay Events

Clodagh & Benjamin’s Elegant Cashel Palace Wedding with Old-World Charm

October 28, 2025July 16, 2025 by Harmony Walton

Clodagh and Benjamin’s Cashel Palace wedding was a beautiful fusion of timeless elegance, heartfelt Irish traditions, and warm personal touches. Although they live in New York City, this dynamic couple chose to host their celebration in Ireland, where both families have roots and Clodagh’s side enjoys a long-standing connection to the countryside. From the start, they envisioned a wedding weekend that felt more like a country house party than a formal event – warm, gracious, and effortlessly elegant. The weekend unfolded at Cashel Palace in County Tipperary, with guests travelling from around the world. For many it was their first taste of Irish hospitality, and what a welcome they received!

Cashel Palace is a restored Palladian manor house that offers historical beauty balanced with modern, five-star hospitality. It was only the second venue the couple visited, but once they stepped foot on the grounds, they knew it was the one! Having booked out the property for the weekend, Clodagh and Benjamin treated their guests to a range of country activities, including fly-fishing, golf, kayaking, archery, and walks to the nearby Rock of Cashel. The wedding weekend began with a rehearsal dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, The Bishop’s Buttery. This was followed by a welcome party with spritzes from an Aperol tuk tuk in the walled garden.

The venue also featured heavily in the stationery for the event. The invitation suite featured artwork from Cashel Palace, and the itinerary booklet featured an antique etching of the Rock of Cashel. A floret used throughout the paper goods was also recreated from the decal utilised throughout the venue’s ballroom.

In true Irish form, the day of the wedding delivered four seasons in one, with a bit of rain just before the ceremony for luck, followed by bursts of sun, dramatic clouds, and golden afternoon light. The ceremony took place in a nearby church, styled with formal arrangements of white flowers and trailing greenery. Clodagh arrived in a 1930s-style Brenchley convertible, wearing a bespoke Phillipa Lepley gown and a lace-edged chapel-length veil. Her classic chignon and pearl-and-diamond earrings completed the look.

The couple also added some special touches to the ceremony itself, including a traditional Irish ring warming. The rings were passed through the pews before the bride’s arrival so that each guest could imbue them with their well wishes. It was a heartfelt moment that made the vows feel all the more meaningful. After the ceremony, guests joined the newlyweds for a joyful procession through the town, led by a piper. Locals came out to cheer them on – one of those delightfully spontaneous moments that only happen in Ireland.

The couple portraits included a detour through nearby cow fields, where the couple posed at the magical 12th-century Hore Abbey, with the Rock of Cashel rising behind them. The dramatic setting, combined with a few good laughs and a bit of mud, resulted in some of the couple’s favourite moments of the entire weekend.

The reception décor was inspired by Irish and English gardens, a mix of formality and wild, organic beauty. The Tara Fay team transformed the ballroom space so that it evoked an orangerie with trees and lavender bushes scattered throughout and a custom stage backdrop of 18th century pastoral murals. Taking their cue from an old world dinner party, the long tables were dressed in pale blue cloths with cream floral detailing. Napkins embroidered with the couple’s custom crest were tied with duck egg blue velvet ribbons with hand-calligraphed names. The florals were lush arrangements of blooms, with moss and fruit spilling out onto the tables. Tall tapered candles cast soft tree shadows on the walls, heightening the illusion of dining in a garden. Each table number featured a vintage botanical print of a flower representing a place significant to the couple’s story, with fun facts on the back for guests to discover.

The couple’s love of good food and thoughtful hosting was woven throughout the weekend. One of the highlights was the oyster and Guinness bar during cocktail hour, as a nod to Clodagh’s family’s home in Waterford, which overlooks an oyster farm. Later in the evening, guests were treated to a wedding cake made of stacked wheels of cheese, beautifully decorated with fresh fruit and set on a moss-covered table. The dance floor opened with a classic first dance, followed by a night of music and merriment. The best kind of country house celebration!

It was a true joy to bring Clodagh and Benjamin’s Cashel Palace wedding to life. From the wild beauty of the Irish countryside to the quiet elegance of their details, every moment felt like a page out of a storybook. Wishing them many more adventures together!

Slán go Fóill,
Tara

You might also like:

How to Create the Perfect Invitation for your Destination Wedding
Country House Weddings in Ireland: Best Manor House Wedding Venues & Locations
Cheese as a Wedding Cake – A Luxurious Twist

Haunted Hosts: Extravagant Halloween Parties in Ireland

October 21, 2025March 18, 2025 by Harmony Walton

Ireland, the birthplace of Samhain—the ancient Celtic festival that inspired modern-day Halloween—offers an unmatched opportunity to host the most opulent Halloween celebrations. The country’s long history, spooky landscapes, and chilling tales of spirits make it the perfect location for those looking to throw an unforgettable and lavish Halloween party. With help from Ireland’s premier party ‘ghoul’, a reservation at one of our legendary haunted castles or its atmospheric estates, and the creative ideas below, your guests will never stop talking about the time they attended one of the most extravagant Halloween parties in Ireland.

A Haunted Castle for the Night

What better way to celebrate Halloween than to rent out one of Ireland’s notorious haunted castles? Leap Castle, often cited as one of the most haunted castles in Europe, offers a chilling experience that’s perfect for a Halloween party. This 15th-century castle is steeped in dark history, with tales of betrayal, murder, and the haunting spirits that remain within its stone walls. Splurge on lavish decorations to turn the already spooky atmosphere into a haunted wonderland. Think candlelit corridors, cobweb-draped chandeliers, and tables adorned with gothic candelabras.

Indulge your guests by hiring a gourmet catering service to serve an elaborate feast featuring local Irish delicacies paired with vintage wines, ensuring your guests have both an eerie and enchanting experience. After dinner, there are so many ways to make the entertainment equally spine-tingling. Arrange for ghost tours or storytelling sessions by local experts who can recount chilling legends of the castle’s past.

A Ghostly Experience on the Antrim Coast

Perched on the rugged Antrim coast, Ballygally Castle is not only known for its luxurious amenities but also for its resident ghost, Lady Isabella Shaw, who is said to roam the halls. In this circumstance, I suggest renting out the entire castle for the night and hosting a Halloween soirée that blends history, elegance, and just the right amount of fright.

Transform the castle’s grand rooms into themed spaces such as a Victorian séance parlour or a witch’s banquet hall. To elevate the experience, hire live performers to entertain your guests with eerie music or theatre performances. Ballygally Castle’s seaside location also offers the opportunity for a late-night bonfire on the beach, where guests can gather for ghost stories and toasted sweets.

A Gothic Halloween Ball

For those who dream of a Halloween party that exudes elegance and gothic charm, I know just where to take you. Kinnitty Castle, located at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, provides the perfect setting. This 13th-century castle’s imposing towers and dimly lit halls are ideal for hosting a grand gothic ball. Encourage your guests to dress in elaborate costumes—think Victorian vampires, gothic aristocrats, or enchanted forest creatures—to add a mystical element to the evening.

Inside the castle, create a variety of themed rooms for your guests to explore, such as a haunted library or a vampire’s lair. Don’t forget – a live orchestra or a DJ spinning eerie tunes can provide the soundtrack to the evening, while a gourmet dinner paired with craft cocktails and fine wines ensures the evening remains truly indulgent. Make sure to invite the bravest of guests because the nearby haunted woods offer an ideal setting for a heart-racing midnight walk.

Final Touches for Your Lavish Halloween Party

For added grandeur, consider offering a personalised invitation in the form of wax-sealed scrolls delivered to your guests. Hire luxury transportation to ferry them to your chosen location, and don’t forget to provide unique party favours. May I suggest personalised bottles of Irish whiskey to keep the liquid courage strong all night long! Extravagant Halloween parties in Ireland are the kind of spellbinding event that your guests will remember for the rest of their lives … and possibly into their afterlives, as well.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Leap Castle

The Best Season for a Destination Wedding in Ireland (It’s Not What You Think)

October 7, 2025July 16, 2025 by Harmony Walton

Ask most couples to name the best time to tie the knot in Ireland, and they’ll likely say summer. The long daylight hours, lush countryside, and the possibility of blue skies tend to sway opinion. But here’s the truth: the best season for a destination wedding in Ireland is autumn.

That’s right — autumn (or fall, as my American couples would say). From mid-September through early November, the Emerald Isle offers a depth and sophistication that you won’t quite find at any other time of year. Summer may be bright, but it’s also hectic. Venues are at capacity, vendors are stretched thin, and prices rise with the temperature. In contrast, autumn provides peace, availability, and a palette so rich it practically sets the mood for you.

Ireland in autumn is earthy tones of ochre, copper, and deep forest green. Vineyards and country estates are awash with ivy and moss in their seasonal prime. The landscape becomes a living oil painting. It’s a dream backdrop for photos. No filters required!

This time of year also brings culinary delights. Ireland’s harvest shines in autumn with wild mushrooms, root vegetables, apples, and ripe blackberries. Your wedding menu becomes a gourmet experience. Autumn means welcome drinks by an open hearth (spiced cider, perhaps?) followed by dishes of locally grown produce, finished with wildflower garnishes or tangy elderberry syrup.

And then, there’s the fashion. Autumn weddings lend themselves beautifully to brilliant attire. Brides can wear sleeves or structured gowns without concern for overheating. Grooms and groomsmen look sharp in tweeds and textured fabrics. Guests feel chic in velvet, wool, and layered ensembles that balance comfort with formality. Even floral design becomes more artistic, with dried elements, foraged textures, and moody dahlias or heirloom roses.

Let’s not sidestep the weather. Irish rain, while persistent in every season, becomes part of the ambience in autumn. A soft mist on castle grounds, puddles reflecting the gray sky, and the scent of damp leaves create the sense of an intimate storybook romance. When you plan with the elements in mind, with elements like stylish umbrellas, indoor ceremony options, and soft and cosy throws for guests, you’ll feel prepared rather than compromised. That preparedness becomes part of the experience.

From a practical perspective, autumn weddings also mean better access to your dream team of suppliers. The busiest months have passed, allowing planners, photographers, and caterers to give more focused attention to your celebration. Popular venues are more likely to have space, and you might even secure preferred pricing or complimentary enhancements that summer couples never see.

Couples who marry in autumn often reflect on how naturally everything came together. Fewer tourists means your guests have a more authentic experience of Ireland. It’s a season that rewards those who don’t follow the crowd. Cosy pubs, coastal walks wrapped in scarves, and evenings spent around fires make it feel like a wedding and a holiday all in one. Less stress, more comfort, and a stillness to the season that lends itself to connection.

So if you’re dreaming of an elegant wedding that feels rich, distinctive and true to the spirit of Ireland, consider autumn. It’s not the obvious choice – and that’s precisely the point.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Peter Carvill