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IF YOU’RE GOING to be putting a ring on it, there’s some good news today.
The Office of Public Works has confirmed that seven of Ireland’s heritage sites can now be used as venues for civil ceremonies – and more sites are in the works.
The seven venues, spread out throughout the provinces, include Kilkenny Castle, the Casino at Marino in Dublin, and the Céide Fields Visitor Centre in Mayo.
Castletown House in Kildare, Desmond Hall in Limerick, Barryscourt Castle in Cork and the Blasket Islands Visitor Centre in Kerry can also now be used.
Brian Hayes, the Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW, said he wanted to see more sites open up for a wider variety of uses, and said he would welcome suggestions from members of the public.
“These are wonderful and iconic sites that are familiar to many of us and are a key part of our cultural heritage,” he said.
The HSE is currently looking at a number of other venues – including Dublin Castle, Emo Court in Laois and Dungarvan Castle in Waterford – to add to the list.
Any couples who want to get married at any of the sites should email the OPW [permissions@opw.ie] and state the site which they are interested in using for their big day (bearing in mind that you can only use them for civil ceremonies, and not for a reception afterwards).
There’s also a disclaimer: the OPW notes that in many cases sites will be still open to the public at the same time and ceremonies will have to be balanced with the need to maintain access for other visitors.
Minister Brian Hayes was enthusiastic about the new venues.
“There are many places in our [the OPW's] portfolio apart from the obvious ones – unique venues which would certainly add to the occasion on their special day,” he said.
Here are the seven venues:
The Casino at Marino, Dublin
(Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland)
Castletown House, Kildare
Barryscourt Castle, Cork
Desmond Hall, Limerick
(Desmond Hall/Facebook)
Kilkenny Castle
(Marcus Meissner/Flickr/Creative Commons)
Blasket Islands Visitor Centre, Kerry
(Tom Bennett/Flickr/Creative Commons)
Ceide Fields Visitor Centre, Mayo
(Allan Henderson/Flickr/Creative Commons)
A chap I know got married in Kilkenny Castle recently. It is different, with a fairytale twist to it. Great for those who want a civil ceremony and don’t want to get married in a church.
Lovely place to get married and also benefit of being able to do the photos there,
I got married in a castle. People were asking me which Church we were getting married in,to which I replied,no we re getting married in a fu*king CASTLE :) Felt kinda cool
It’s said that Ireland looses out on allot of potential tourism because we don’t have a special marriage visa that allows foreign couples to get married here when on holiday.
Such as visa could easily ensure a marriage here does not result in any claim for residency or citizenship, we just claim their $$$.
Marriage is an over-rated and archaic ceremony and institution. I don’t need a piece of paper to show the woman I love that I am committed to her… And now in the days of divorce etc it seems pretty pointless to me..
I think people just like the false sense of security it gives. I often why celebrities get married for like a few years and then get divorced. But good to see more options open for those that don’t want to get married under “our lord”
Don’t worry baby I don’t think anyone was asking….
I’m not a bit worried Jenny :) as I said I don’t need a piece of paper to prove my love and commitment to someone… when you’re old enough you’ll understand ;-)
@Stiofán,
That’s just it.. It is a false sense of security.. But if it makes people happy to partake in such an out-dated institution then more power to them.. I just don’t see the logic in it :)
How is it a ‘false’ sense of security? (genuine question).
It becomes a different thing entirely when you have children unfortunately. It’s not right that a couple have to be married so that parents and children receive equal rights. Mothers should not have to give guardianship to fathers. Also children born out of wedlock do not have the same inheritance rights. Disgraceful but true
@ Hairy Baby, You’re obviousy entitled to your opinion but there’s no need to insult & patronise others. You don’t see those who believe marraige to be under rated making repeated comments putting down those like yourself who believe in the opposite. YOU think its pointless so we’ll just cancel the above heritage sites functioning as marraige venues will ye?
Someone who voluntarily calls them self “hairy baby” is passing comment on my age/maturity…..the irony is almost as beautiful as the last wedding I went to.
Actually hairy baby I agree, I’ve been married for 8years and it hasn’t made a blind bit of difference, it was a great party but if I had it over again I wouldn’t get married.
don’t get married then, no ones making you, but keep in mind many people want to and I think this article is more for them than you!
@hairy baby.. Why did u read this article if ur so not interested?!
It offers protection of pension,property and inheritance rights. Maybe not romantic but practical
I got married because I wanted to. Nobody forced me to and I take a small bit of pride in it as well so,I guess I’m not feeling that false sense of security signing the bit of paper I signed…
The Blasket Island visitor centre is not on one of the islands. It’s a new and rather sterile-looking building, and it certainly doesn’t evoke romance in my mind!
Getting married in a visitor centre?
Millmount in Drogheda is another wedding venue that I attended. Great day !
So you can’t actually get married on the Blasket islands… Thankfully the title didn’t make you think that you could!
Someone or sometwo got married at Hook Lighthouse recently, a right craic I heard it was and some great photos, everyone went away delighted with themselves
Should have included Ducketts Grove Carlow now there’s chance at some weddings photos
to remember
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