A little birdie told me you have a milestone birthday right around the corner! Brilliant! Are you looking for a unique way to celebrate? Ireland, with its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and luxurious accommodations, offers an unparalleled setting for celebrating a milestone birthday. If you’re seeking an extraordinary and unforgettable birthday bash, Ireland provides the perfect blend of opulence and charm. Here’s how to plan an exclusive birthday celebration that will be the talk of your elite circle for years to come!
Selecting the Perfect Venue
As I’ve stated before, Ireland is home to some of the most magnificent castles and estates, ideal for hosting a grand birthday celebration. Here are a few top choices:
Ashford Castle: This 800-year-old castle, nestled on the shores of Lough Corrib, offers a fairytale setting with impeccable service. The castle boasts 83 rooms and suites, a cinema, a billiard room, and a stunning spa. Hosting your birthday here promises you’ll have a regal experience with private dining options, exclusive use of the castle, and a range of bespoke activities. Learn more about Ashford Castle.
Adare Manor: Adare Manor combines historical grandeur with modern luxury and is set in the heart of a picturesque 840-acre estate. This neo-Gothic mansion offers a championship golf course, a world-class spa, and exquisite dining. The manor’s Michelin-starred restaurant, The Oak Room, is perfect for an intimate yet lavish birthday dinner. Learn more about celebrations I’ve planned at Adare Manor. I planned this bash at Adare Manor!
Dromoland Castle: Dromoland Castle is a luxurious retreat with a rich history and beautiful surroundings. Your guests will love the castle’s fine dining, golf course, and falconry experiences. This venue is particularly unique for a milestone birthday bash in Ireland. Learn more about celebrations I’ve planned at Dromoland Castle. This venue is one of Ireland’s most popular event spaces!
Curating a Unique Experience
For a birthday bash that truly stands out, consider incorporating exclusive experiences that highlight the best of Irish culture and natural beauty.
Private Helicopter Tour: Start the celebrations with a private helicopter tour of Ireland’s stunning landscapes. Soar over the Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, and the wild Atlantic coastline, offering your guests unparalleled views and a thrilling adventure.
Exclusive Whiskey Tasting: Ireland is renowned for its whiskey, and what better way to celebrate than with a private tasting session at the historic Jameson Distillery or the luxurious Midleton Distillery? Enjoy exclusive access and personalised tours, tasting rare and vintage whiskeys under the guidance of a master distiller.
Private Concert or Ceilidh: Elevate your event with a private concert featuring renowned Irish musicians or a traditional ceilidh dance. Whether you prefer classical music, contemporary artists, or traditional Irish folk, a personalised performance will add a magical touch to your celebration.
Luxury Golfing Experience: For golf enthusiasts, Ireland’s world-class courses provide an unmatched experience. Host a private tournament at Ballybunion, Royal County Down, or Lahinch Golf Club, complete with personalised caddies and bespoke amenities.
Gourmet Delights
No milestone celebration is complete without exquisite cuisine. Ireland’s culinary scene has evolved to offer a diverse range of gourmet experiences, from farm-to-table dining to the most exclusive and luxurious restaurants.
Michelin-Starred Dining: Treat your guests to a lavish meal at one of Ireland’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Chapter One in Dublin, Aniar in Galway, and the aforementioned Oak Room at Adare Manor are just a few options where you can indulge in culinary masterpieces crafted from the finest local ingredients.
Private Chef Experience: For a more personalised dining experience, hire a private chef to create a bespoke menu tailored to your tastes. Enjoy a multi-course dinner in the privacy of your castle or estate, featuring locally sourced delicacies and paired with fine wines and rare whiskeys.
Final Touches
Ensure your milestone birthday bash in Ireland is truly unforgettable with these additional touches:
Luxurious Transportation: From private jets and helicopters to chauffeured vintage cars, ensure every aspect of your journey is as luxurious as the celebration itself.
Personalised Invitations and Gifts: Set the tone with custom-designed invitations and thank-you gifts, such as personalised crystal decanters or bespoke Irish linen.
Professional Event Planning: Deny stress entry to your party! Engage the services of a top-tier event planner specializing in luxury events to handle every detail, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. This way you can sit back and enjoy every moment of your milestone birthday bash in Ireland.
A milestone birthday deserves a celebration that is as unique and memorable as the individual it honours and Ireland provides the perfect backdrop for an extraordinary event. Indulge in the ultimate celebration that will leave a lasting impression on you and your distinguished guests.
Are you considering a destination wedding to Ireland? I am absolutely thrilled that you are here! It is no secret that I believe Ireland is the most beautiful and magical place to say “I Do”. In fact, deciding on a wedding venue can be one of the hardest parts because there are so many gorgeous venues to choose from. Ireland is known for its picturesque landscapes and romantic settings, making it a popular destination for weddings. But there are some that stand out amongst the others. Here are the Top Places to Wed in Ireland in 2024:
Ashford Castle (Cong, County Mayo)
A stunning castle set on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ashford Castle offers a fairytale setting for a wedding. With its gorgeous acres of manicured gardens, lush forests and lively woodland, there is magic floating on the breeze and over the sparking waters of Lough Corrib. Additionally, working with the team of professionals at Ashford Castle is truly a rewarding experience in itself. It is nearly impossible to run out of things to do or options for entertainment. A wedding at Ashford Castle can be customized to fit the personalities of every couple that decides to say their ‘I Do’s’ at this enchanted place.
My other favorite detail? The accommodations at Ashford Castle are beyond compare. Each of the 83 rooms have been lovingly designed and individually restored, whilst taking every effort to incorporate the latest modern luxuries. The unique works of art and antique furniture are carefully and meticulously curated. Every one of the team’s efforts comes to fruition as you and your guests take in the sumptuous fabrics, custom-designed carpets, exquisite toweling, feature lighting and drift off to dreamland on bespoke beds wrapped in Egyptian Cotton bed linens.
A five-star hotel set on a vast estate, Adare Manor is known for its opulent architecture and elegant surroundings. The manicured gardens and the grandeur of the Manor provide a luxurious backdrop for a wedding.
An Adare Manor wedding is always one to be savoured, whether it’s small and intimate or a grand affair. It has a unique ambience, a mix of old-world glamour and modern technology and comfort, suffused with warmth and good old-fashioned Irish hospitality, that makes it one of my personal favourite Irish destination wedding venues. It’s what is known as a Gothic revival calendar house, so named because it has 365 leaded windows, 52 chimneys, seven stone pillars, and four towers, which mark the days, weeks, and seasons of the year. The award-winning hotel also includes a championship golf course (set to host the Ryder Cup in 2027) and a Michelin-starred restaurant. In 2018, it was named Hotel of the Year at the Virtuoso Best of the Best Awards ahead of properties like the famed Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat in France and the Berkeley in London.
But really, what makes Adare so unique is not only the setting, but the people. They have a motto they use, ‘Beyond Everything’, and that is really what they do. They go above and beyond for every single guest and every single wedding. For example, there’s Philip, the wedding butler and one of my favourite people at Adare. He becomes so involved with the wedding couple that when they say goodbye it’s a little like parting from a member of the family. Another example is Mary, part of the Adare Food and Beverage team. She gets to know every member of both families, what they would like to eat and drink, and where they need to be and when. It really is an extraordinary level of service, which reflects my philosophy as a wedding planner. It’s this kind of personal attention that makes guests feel truly pampered and turns an Adare Manor wedding from an event into an experience.
When I speak to couples who imagine their wedding in an an intimate and opulent setting, surrounded by rich history and literary legends, I tell them the Museum of Literature Ireland (also known as the MoLI) is the venue for them. Couples who appreciate this city’s love of literature know that MoLI is the perfect wedding setting. Just traverse through Dublin and you’ll find a myriad of bookshops, historic libraries, literary plaques and statues. Some of the world’s most famous writers called Dublin home.
A relatively new addition to the cultural scene in downtown Dublin, it is a dedicated museum that celebrates the rich literary heritage of Ireland and its literary luminaries. MoLI is a partnership between University College Dublin and the National Library of Ireland. Inside the hidden historic rooms of the MoLI, you will find yourself encompassed by Georgian lavishness and you and your guests will join the ranks of all the fascinating characters that have passed through over the centuries.
Couples who choose the Museum of Literature Ireland have access to the gardens outside, including the beautiful Iveagh Gardens, which were originally owned by the Guinness family. The Iveagh house is located just a few doors down from the MoLI. Intimate weddings at MoLI are a joy to plan. It is stylish and elegant and offers opportunities for celebration both inside and out. I relish creating an atmosphere of exclusivity for you and your cherished friends and family to focus on the moment at hand.
Dromoland Castle (Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare)
Another castle setting, Dromoland Castle, offers a historic and romantic atmosphere. The castle is surrounded by lush greenery and a beautiful lake, creating a magical setting for a wedding.
Originally the seat of the descendants of one of the last High Kings of Ireland, Dromoland Castle is now an amazing luxury hotel that has welcomed celebrities and dignitaries from Bono to Nelson Mandela. Magnificent scenery, sumptuous interiors, a championship golf course, and elegant French-inspired fine dining add to the unforgettable experience. The venue is also incredibly versatile, offering a wide range of ceremony and reception spaces of different sizes, from a charming walled garden to the magnificent Brian Boru Hall.
As soon as you step through the elegant Georgian doors of the Merrion Hotel in Dublin, you’re immediately transported into a world of luxury and charm, wrapped in a warm Irish welcome. This place embodies grace, romance, and hospitality – making it an unrivaled destination wedding venue in the heart of Ireland.
The Merrion Hotel takes its distinctive character from 18th-century townhouses, which once belonged to influential Irish figures — boasting 123 guest rooms and 19 suites, a two-star Michelin restaurant, a luxurious spa, and meticulously manicured private gardens. The hotel exemplifies grandeur, splendor, and comfort – everything you might wish for your wedding day.
You cannot go wrong with a Merrion Hotel wedding; it is undoubtedly a testament to Ireland’s rich history, elegantly situated within four meticulously restored Georgian townhouses in Dublin. These 18th-century townhouses, once the homes of notable figures such as Viscount Monck and Garret Wesley, were designed by famed Irish architect Richard Cassels. Over the years, they have witnessed significant events in Irish history, such as the birth of Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington. The hotel’s name, ‘Merrion’, comes from the title ‘Viscount Merrion’, granted to Sir Charles Monck in 1760. Today, the hotel blends its historic grandeur with modern luxury, offering a unique retreat that is deeply rooted in the city’s architectural and social history. It serves as a beautiful reminder of Dublin’s Georgian heritage while providing world-class services to its guests.
I’m always delighted when my clients choose Ballyfin Demesne for their destination weddings in Ireland, as it truly is a special place. Built in 1820, the neo-classical Regency mansion (and later, boys’ school) underwent an extensive renovation in the early 2000s, finally reopening as a luxurious five-star country hotel in 2011. Since then, it has received multiple prestigious accolades, including being voted the best hotel in the world by Conde Nast Traveler and receiving the AA’s Hotel of the Year Award in 2018. If you want something very unique and private, then this is the place for you.
What makes Ballyfin wedding venue so special is that visiting it is like walking back in time. Think of it as a Downton Abbey house party of your very own. On arrival, the staff line up to greet you, just as if you were the lords and ladies of the manor returning to your country pile. And that’s just the start of the old-world charm and traditional Irish hospitality you can expect during your stay. The butlers all have a personal connection to the property, so they are part of the family there, and everyone has a story to tell.
Although Ballyfin is described as a country house venue, I think of it more as a little bit of paradise in the middle of Ireland. On a clear night, it’s easy to imagine what the world was like 200 years ago. With very little light pollution, the countryside is so still and serene that it feels like you’re the only people for miles around. And it’s so private that once you enter you really feel like you have arrived home. I’m delighted to have such a strong relationship with the wonderful team there, and to be able to recommend it to my clients knowing that they’ll love it as much as I do.
A country estate with a Georgian mansion, Mount Juliet offers a blend of luxury and natural beauty. The estate includes a golf course, gardens, and a river, providing various picturesque backdrops.
To describe a bit more about why I suggested Mount Juliet, it is nestled within the verdant Irish countryside, it is a breathtaking wedding venue that offers an idyllic setting at a majestic Georgian Manor house, set on a sprawling 500-acre estate. The bride described to me that she had always dreamt of a winter wedding and this venue seamlessly blends historic elegance with modern luxury, providing an enchanting backdrop for the ultimate fairy-tale winter wedding. Surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens, ancient woodlands, and the tranquil River Nore, Mount Juliet is the epitome of romance and charm.
These are some of my favourites and what I would consider the top places to wed in Ireland in 2024. There are so many, so reach out! We can talk about even more Incredible Wedding Locations in Ireland. Remember to consider the capacity, check reviews and testimonials, and visit the location, if possible. You should always discuss your specific needs with your wedding planner as they should be the expert in whatever venue you choose. Once you’ve decided on a location, you can move on to the next best part: First Steps to Planning a Destination Wedding.
