From Castle Elegance to Coastal Charm - Perfect Wedding Venues in County Louth
Welcome to the 'Wee County' - a hidden gem of castles, coastal views and charming villages nestled between Dublin and Belfast. County Louth has become a hot spot for couples seeking a wedding venue with historical charm, natural beauty and modern flexibility.
As a Registered Solemniser based right here in Louth, I’ve had the privilege of crafting deeply personal, legal wedding ceremonies in many of these stunning locations.
If you’re planning your wedding in the North East, here is a guide to some of the most beautiful and unique venues in County Louth and how a bespoke ceremony can bring them to life.
I. Grandeur and History: The Castle Experience
Louth’s castles offer a timeless, fairytale backdrop perfect for those who dream of a truly grand celebration.
1. Darver Castle, Readypenny
The Vibe: Exclusive use, 15th-century luxury. Darver Castle is surrounded by 50 acres of parkland and has been lovingly restored while retaining its ancient character.
The Ceremony: Darver Castle is an approved venue for Legal Civil Ceremonies, Humanist and Spiritual Ceremonies. They offer a beautiful newly refurbished Ceremony Room or you can opt for an outdoor vow exchange beneath their elegant pergola.
The Timeless Touch: A castle setting is ideal for weaving in those classic Irish traditions, like a Handfasting ceremony to truly tie the knot with Celtic flair.
2. Bellingham Castle, Castlebellingham
The Vibe: Opulent 17th-century castle on a private, 17-acre estate. It feels intimate, luxurious and completely exclusive.
The Ceremony: Bellingham is approved for Civil Weddings and offers two incredible spaces - the intimate Oratory for smaller parties or the grand Bute Suite. Their riverside setting also makes for a breathtaking outdoor ceremony location.
The Timeless Touch: The river setting provides the perfect atmosphere for a symbolic Water Ritual, where two sources of water are blended, mirroring the blending of your two lives.
II. Coastal Chic and Medieval Charm
For couples drawn to the sea breeze and historical towns, the Carlingford area offers unique, unforgettable options.
3. Four Seasons Hotel, Carlingford
The Vibe: Modern luxury in a picturesque medieval village. This venue boasts unparalleled views of Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Mountains.
The Ceremony: You can say "I Do" right on-site with a legal ceremony. Their dedicated wedding suite offers panoramic views, but the real magic is the potential for an outdoor ceremony in their garden with the Lough sparkling behind you.
The Timeless Touch: A personalised vow renewal here, set against the backdrop of the Cooley Mountains makes for an incredibly meaningful anniversary celebration.
4. Ghan House, Carlingford
The Vibe: A charming, family-run 18th-century Georgian house offering Exclusive Use. Perfect for a boutique, food-focused wedding.
The Ceremony: Ghan House is ideal for smaller, intimate ceremonies. The elegance of the house coupled with its walled grounds, provides a wonderfully private space for a Humanist or Legal Civil Ceremony.
The Timeless Touch: Given the intimate setting, a Ring Warming ritual, where every guest gets to hold and bless the rings adds an incredibly personal layer of connection.
III. Rustic and Contemporary: Barns and Boutiques
If your style leans towards relaxed elegance, industrial chic, or a more casual atmosphere, Louth has you covered.
5. Segrave Barns, Dunany
The Vibe: A unique, romantic barn venue with a distinctly rustic and relaxed feel, close to the sea. They encourage you to put your own unique stamp on the day.
The Ceremony: Segrave offers dedicated ceremony barns (like the smaller Ashtree Barn) and beautiful outdoor settings, including a picturesque forest area.
The Timeless Touch: The flexibility here is unmatched. It’s the perfect setting for a highly personalised, non-traditional ceremony complete with a celebratory Sand Blending Ceremony to match the coastal atmosphere.
6. Fairways Hotel, Dundalk
The Vibe: Louth's newest, most stylish hotel venue, blending contemporary design with comfort. It's a great choice for larger parties who want sleek, modern elegance and top-tier service.
The Ceremony: With flexible and spacious event rooms, the Fairways is a licensed venue that can host everything from a grand Civil Ceremony to an intimate Vow Renewal.
The Timeless Touch: Due to the location's proximity to major routes, this is an excellent choice for Inter-Faith or Multi-Cultural ceremonies allowing you to easily accommodate guests travelling from all over Ireland.
IV. Timeless Elegance and Parkland Perfection: Ballymascanlon
This historic Victorian mansion offers a unique combination of tradition, space, and stunning photographic backdrops, just outside Dundalk.
7. Ballymascanlon Hotel & Golf Resort
The Vibe: A grand Victorian-style mansion set on 130 acres of majestic parkland. It has a long tradition of hosting weddings, often welcoming back the children and grandchildren of past couples - a testament to its enduring charm and exceptional service.
The Ceremony: Ballymascanlon is proudly approved by the Civil Registration Service to host Legal Civil Ceremonies, Humanist and Spiritual Ceremonies. You have choices for your ceremony space including the elegant Oak Room (capacity up to 140) and the spacious Garden Room (capacity up to 220), which boasts panoramic views of the Walled Rose Garden.
The Timeless Touch: The grounds are spectacular, featuring a 4,000-year-old Proleek Dolmen (a mystical, ancient monument) and beautiful gardens. This gives you the chance to incorporate a Blessing of the Four Elements ceremony outdoors using the ancient landscape as your stage for truly unique wedding photos.
Key Detail: The hotel's long-standing reputation means their wedding team is incredibly experienced ensuring the day runs seamlessly for weddings of all sizes (up to 280 people). They also only host one wedding per day, guaranteeing you exclusive attention.
Why Choose a Personalised Ceremony in Louth?
Every venue in Louth, from the intimate Georgian house to the grand castle, is simply a beautiful shell. As your local Registered Solemniser, I work with you to craft the perfect ceremony that fills that shell with your story.
This means you can have a legally binding ceremony that includes:
A Handfasting ceremony at Darver Castle.
A Sand Blending at Segrave Barns by the coast.
Your vows exchanged with the ancient Proleek Dolmen as a backdrop at Ballymascanlon.
The "Wee County" offers a huge range of settings - all it needs is your personal touch.
Ready to start planning the ceremony that is as beautiful as your Louth venue?
➡️ Check my availability and Book Your Free Consultation today!