For couples dreaming of a wedding winter wonderland or Christmas wedding wrapped in romance and elegance, Clontarf Castle Hotel offers a setting that feels lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale.
Clontarf Castle is a unique 12th-century castle hotel that magically blends the old and the new. With layers of rich history where every wedding couple becomes part of continuing centuries of story, it’s a romantic and sophisticated destination, a stone’s throw from Dublin city centre, in the leafy seaside suburb of Clontarf.
Dreamy weddings at Clontarf Castle begin with a suite of gorgeous options, inspirational days created by the experienced wedding team at the hotel, who are happy to discuss every aspect of the day you imagine, and then tailor-make it to your own perfect reality. At its heart is the original castle, where contemporary elements have been imaginatively incorporated over the years to create a celebrated, stylish and cosmopolitan hotel — the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding. The stunning 12th-century castle masterfully blends ancient grandeur with modern luxury, creating a unique backdrop for saying “I do.”
History and Romance
From the gate lodge at the castle entrance with its fragrant lavender garden to the tree-lined avenue and wedding gardens, which are mature and wonderful at any time of year, there are many special places for your photographs. Think grand turrets and glowing lantern windows. Pair this with seasonal twinkling fairy lights and glistening frost on the grounds, your winter wonderland will wrap you up in magical memories. Within the castle, too, there are a host of beautiful options for your photos – Think antique heirlooms, original architectural features, such as a dramatic staircase and sumptuous interiors layered with velvets, tapestries, and rich colours that glow especially beautifully in golden warm candlelight.
Picturesque Wedding Photos
Clontarf Castle’s picturesque location means there are lots of options within the immediate vicinity for those all-important wedding photos: The Wooden Bridge leads from Clontarf to Bull Island with the iconic pigeon houses and sea in the background; the sandy dunes of Dollymount strand; St Anne’s Park, one of Dublin’s most beautiful parks, is very close by with a host of dreamy options such as the rose gardens or the river that runs through the park.
Fantastic Facilities
Accommodation is luxurious, featuring deluxe bedrooms in jewel tones, Executive bedrooms with four-poster beds, and wonderful suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of Dublin Bay in the background. When it comes to dining, there’s a host of options from the time-honoured Knights Bar with all-day gastro bar-style dining to fine dining restaurant Fahrenheit & Indigo Lounge with an outdoor terrace. The castle walls are home to an eclectic art collection that guests can tour with a digital guide. The stunning atrium lobby is the perfect setting for relaxing over coffee or afternoon tea, and there is a fully equipped fitness suite. There is complimentary parking, and the property is fully accessible, holding accreditation with Sustainable Travel Ireland. For your Wedding reception, there are several wonderful event spaces from which to choose, from the Tower Suite to the glorious Great Hall.
A reputation for great food
The philosophy is simple, excellent quality produce, sourced locally and cooked simply and with finesse — a standard that’s earned Clontarf Castle multiple culinary awards. Executive Head Chef Paul Devoy and the team took home four awards at the recent Yes Chef Awards – including Chef of the Year – Leinster and Luxury Hotel Restaurant of the Year.
Our wedding coordinator, Monica, was amazing and she made us feel so at ease and had every single detail under control. Everything about the day was perfect. And, the food in particular was amazing! We’ve never eaten such amazing food. We cannot wait to return to the hotel for our anniversary next year.
Cool and Calm
As you arrive, picture yourselves coming up the fairy-lit tree-lined avenue where you’ll see the first glimpse of the castle. Your dedicated wedding team — led by Leinster Wedding Planner of the Year 2024 (Irish Hotel Awards) Monica Lopez — will greet you with champagne and some calm, professional guidance. It’s just what you need on your big day. Monica is very experienced and such a warm & friendly person. She walks with couples every step of the way from that initial enquiry to greeting them on their big day. Monica is complemented by an excellent support team in events and a very strong operations team, who are the pillars of the Clontarf Castle team.
The team advises couples to share their Wedding wishlists with each other and have a couple of negotiables. Don’t get so caught up in planning that you forget to take time to enjoy all the special moments that form part of this wonderful lifelong journey.
Clontaf Castle has an amazing offer on Winter Weddings – Book your winter or Christmas wedding for 2025 and receive a free upgrade to the next wedding package level — a 10–15% uplift in value.
