Ashford Castle Verified listing

Guarded by its ancient moat, Ashford Castle sits on the shores of Lough Corrib as the very picture of storybook romance. Once a mediaeval fortress and later the home of the Guinness family, the 800-year-old estate today is Ireland’s only Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa, offering a wedding setting without rival. Conjure the old world: antique furnishings, mahogany panelling, rich tapestries and silk upholstery. The castle’s team, though, are what truly make it distinct; the very manifestation of Irish hospitality, most have been part of the fabric for decades, offering intuitive service and warmth that sets everyone at instant ease. A wedding at Ashford is one to remember, be it a banquet under the Waterford crystal chandeliers of the George V Dining Room, a private candlelit wine cellar celebration, or a dedicated marquee pitched on the lawn. Ashford's 350 acres of landscaped gardens and Ireland's second-largest lake are a cinematic backdrop for photography - or falconry, horse riding, clay-pigeon shooting and archery for go-getting honeymooners (note: wellies and waterproofs are provided). The newlyweds can hide away at the Guinness Boathouse, which boasts its own sun deck, fireplace, and champagne-stocked fridge (a thoughtful touch from the team), offering blissful privacy at the end of a gated road, only five minutes from the castle.