Have you been dreaming about saying your vows in a real medieval castle? Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co. Kildare boasts 700 years of history, and it might just be the venue you’ve been looking for.
As you enter the vast banqueting hall and see the antique chandeliers it feels like you’ve travelled in time as well as space. In reality, you are just 30 minutes away from Dublin city centre! It’s really handy if you’ve chosen Barberstown Castle as your destination wedding venue – your guests will have no problem getting there.
Accommodation and Getting Ready at Barberstown Castle
Unlike other old castles which sometimes have to abandon modern conveniences for the sake of preserving the original medieval atmosphere Barberstown Castle is also a luxury 4-star hotel. You and your guests wake up in beautiful and comfortable rooms with four-poster beds. The hotel has 55 bedrooms accommodating over 100 guests.
Barberstown Castle Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony and reception can both take place in the castle itself, the historic part of the venue. Any ceremony option at Barberstown Castle comes with an extra charge of €450. If you are dreaming of an outdoor ceremony you can tie the knot in the private evergreen gardens or under the ancient ash tree. However, my favourite option is the gorgeous conservatory with its rustic brick wall, a medieval tapestry and the abundance of light.
Wedding Reception at Barberstown Castle
The conservatory leads directly into the impressive medieval banqueting hall, seating up to 250 guests. Barberstown Castle offers several wedding packages with tailored options available. The minimum number of guests is 50 for mid-week weddings and 110 over weekends and bank holidays.
If the weather is good the drinks reception is held on the lawns under the ash tree, otherwise you can retreat into the impressive medieval rooms on a colder day.
Wedding Photos at Barberstown Castle
Beautiful backdrops isn’t something you need to worry about when it comes to wedding photos! There are gardens around the castle, gorgeous all year round. There is even a wedding tree you get to sign with your initials and date, which will later be carved! The gorgeous Weeping Willow is my personal favourite, and it’s right beside the fancy hotel bar so you can sneak in a nice drink afterwards before rejoining your guests.
