Food is THE talking point of every wedding, always promising to be the hot topic of conversation for weeks afterwards.
We know how Irish wedding guests love their grub, so we picked the very best of the best wedding venues from around the country who are renowned for their delectable servings.
These top picks certainly won’t disappoint on the most important day of your lives!
Flemings Country House
A wedding at Flemings Country House can only be described as an experience – and it is all about the food!
Having spent many years working in the hospitality industry in Switzerland, Monaco and finally in the Ritz London, chef patron Michael and his wife Eileen returned to Cork City and fell in love with this historic Georgian house. After an intensive restoration project, Flemings Restaurant has reigned as Cork’s premier fine dining establishment for over 25 years.
Voted Best Chef in Munster by the Good Eating Guide 2014, Michael is a true artist in the kitchen and delights in sitting down with wedding couples to plan their seasonal menu using the freshest local ingredients. The elegant atmosphere of the Michelin credited restaurant and its timeless décor, sets the tone for a contemporary French dining experience. And, with Eileen as your delightful host, it is easy to see how this passionate duo create a once-in-a-lifetime experience for you and your loved ones.
Belleek Castle
Crowned Best Hotel Restaurant in Mayo for the third year running AND Best Hotel Restaurant in Connacht at the 2016 Irish Restaurant Awards, Belleek Castle is one of the most unique settings in the country for your wedding banquet.
At the helm of the kitchen team is chef Stephen Lenahan, who is equally imaginative and traditional. Using the spectacular landscape of Co Mayo as his inspiration, seasonal ingredients are sourced from local suppliers along the Wild Atlantic Way. The result is a unique combination of flavours in keeping with the heritage of the historical castle.
The grandeur of the medieval Great Hall is a magical setting for your meal. With roaring open fires, intricate wooden paneling, high ceilings and romantic candlelight, your special day is guaranteed to be truly authentic and impressive.
Stormont Hotel
Stormont Hotel advocates re-investing in the local economy and low food mileage, so you have comfort in knowing your wedding menu is of the highest standard and quality.
Check out our interview from earlier this year with Stormont Hotel’s Head Chef, he has some fabulous tips for wedding couples when choosing their choice of dishes. Always keeping up-to-date with the latest foodie trends, he also reveals what is popular on the wedding scene for the 2016/2017 season and his top picks for winter inspired desserts – and they sound absolutely divine!
Springfort Hall Hotel & Country House
Guests leave every wedding at Springfort Hall Hotel raving about the delicious cuisine. It is no surprise that word has spread like wildfire throughout county Cork, securing its place as one of the most coveted venues in Munster to celebrate with family and friends.
Springfort Hall has proudly been awarded a 1AAA Rosette for its fine food, and we hear the beef is to die for! Not only is the food exquisite, General Manager Paul Walsh adds an element of old school gentility by greeting each table of guests in the Banqueting Hall. Exceeding expectations is a core value for each team member, and this certainly shines through in the hotel’s stellar service and top notch dishes.
Lough Erne Resort
For Executive Head Chef, Noel McMeel, what we eat has to delight the taste buds, ensnare the senses and nourish body and soul. And, the wedding menu at Lough Erne Resort is sure to tantalize your taste buds!
After securing a scholarship to the USA in 1988, Noel has worked with some of the best and most respected chefs in the world. On his return to Northern Ireland, he worked at a host of top rated hotels and built his profile as a TV personality and regular foodie contributor. Noel is now firmly-established at Lough Erne Resort.
Your wedding menu promises to be innovative and full of heart. Just take a peek at the desserts, they make our heart sing! Swoon!
Hotel Doolin
Real hearty food with a hipster vibe. If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere with rustic, flavoursome food, Hotel Doolin has all of the above in spades. Head Chef Danny Craughwell is this venue’s shining star and tourists come from far and wide to sample the highly-acclaimed menu.
After running his own restaurant for 10 years in Spain, Danny’s passion for food comes from childhood summers spent in the country with his grandparents. Set along the breath-taking coast and only a stone’s throw from the Cliffs of Moher, the seafood dishes at Hotel Doolin are second to none. The hotel boasts its own vegetable garden and ingredients such as wild garlic, nettles and samphire are all foraged locally. Quite literally a foodie’s paradise.
The Rose Hotel
Put your own stamp on your special day with this years biggest trend – the signature cocktail! The Rose G&T or His ‘n’ Hers cocktails are sure to wow your friends and family. And, the setting at The Rose Hotel is sure to complement your sophisticated affair. The newly-refurbished Lee Suite is seriously glam, complete with crystal chandeliers and luxurious décor.
Executive Head Chef, Odran Lucey & Head Chef, Jason Fabian & their experienced team of chefs are dedicated to providing excellent cuisine that will be sure to impress family and friends on your special day. The team works closely with each wedding couple to ensure that all needs are catered for. With dishes such as Kerry lamb, Daly’s Crabmeat and plenty of fresh, seasonal produce starring on The Rose Hotel wedding menu, your guests will be talking about the cuisine long afterwards!
Blue Haven Kinsale
The day after wedding celebration is becoming almost as big as the day itself – and the Blue Haven are rock stars when it comes to post wedding parties!
In the heart of Cork’s gourmet capital, Hamlets of Kinsale is the perfect spot to continue your celebrations. Offering BBQ menus, craft beers and cocktail specialists, this venue has all the makings for a summer party. Boasting a selection of indoor and outdoor areas to relax and mingle with your nearest and dearest, there is a relaxing and inviting atmosphere.