Glin Castle

Surrounded by spectacular gardens and grounds on the banks of River Shannon, historic Glin Castle has been owned by the Fitzgerald family for over 700 years. The home of the Knights of Glin, the majestic property stands proudly at the end of a long, sweeping drive on a stylishly cultivated country estate. The crenellated outline of the building, combined with its cool grey-stone façade, creates a striking image against the lush, rolling green hills of County Clare and the serene blue of the river beyond.

Available for exclusive use for your wedding celebrations, Glin Castle can host weddings for up to 64 guests with overnight accommodation for up to 30.

A long building culminating in a huge four-turreted battlement at one end, the castle is abundant in gorgeous Georgian windows featuring magnificent views over a wonderfully symmetrical landscaped lawn. It is centred with a sundial and separated by a crisscross of gravel paths accentuated with stone structures, neat low hedges and topiary trees. Glin Castle is home to incredible flower gardens that venture far beyond this initial vista and that will make the most gloriously romantic backdrop to your wedding day.

Vast gardens

Step back in time into the enchanting walled kitchen gardens with bountiful floral displays, huge, ancient oaks and fairy-tale woodland abundant with pine trees. Numerous generations of the Fitzgerald family have honed and tended to the castle gardens over the years, keeping it fresh and vibrant. The family’s passion for horticulture is palpable and you only have to enter the arched wrought iron gate set in the thick garden walls to be immediately transported back to a lost era filled with tantalising scents and mesmerising displays in every colour.

Stunning rooms full of character

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The castle is hired as an exclusive-use property, so you and your guests may enjoy every room of the property during your stay, each telling a story in itself. Within, neoclassical interiors preside. Five exquisite reception rooms which, with their wealth of colour, 18th-century Irish furnishings and eclectic mix of historic ornaments and heirlooms, are truly a feast for the eyes.

As you enter the Grand Hall, a screen of Corinthian pillars, an intricately designed plaster ceiling and a welcoming stove fireplace set the scene. Large Venetian windows, a library bookcase housing a secret door and a rare and elegant white-balustraded flying staircase furthermore add to the magic and compelling Irish charm of Glin Castle.

A bespoke and personal service

Glin Castle prides itself on creating a bespoke wedding planning service offering flexibility and freedom to you both. The castle offers a concierge service whereby they can arrange travel for you and your guests and also put you in touch with their list of recommended local suppliers to help organise any aspect of your wedding day.

The local area boasts some fabulous traditional Irish musicians who could start your wedding entertainment early on in the day, either as your guests arrive through the Grand Hall or as background music for the post-ceremony celebrations.

You ceremony and reception drinks

The large Drawing Room, with its stunning and subtle ice-pink walls and six large windows looking out towards the picturesque estuary, makes a wonderful room for the wedding ceremony, and later, a gathering place for drinks before dinner. Outside, sweeping lawns and grounds provide a perfect setting for the post-ceremony drinks reception.

Wedding breakfast for an intimate wedding

For smaller wedding parties, the Dining Room with its deep claret coloured walls and Baronial oak furniture can seat up to 30 guests for your wedding breakfast. Parties of up to 56 guests can be accommodated in the Grand Hall.

Afterwards, your wedding guests can enjoy every inch of the castle gardens, from strolling along enchanting pathways, to relaxing on the nostalgic tree swing, exploring the hermit’s grotto and chatting around the stone circle. You may also wish to have some outdoor games organised on the lawns. Indoors, the Library features a snooker table and admiring the gilded-framed family portraits through the castle makes for an entertaining tour.

Evening entertainment

At Glin Castle you can select from a variety of evening entertainment for your wedding celebrations, as recommended by the castle manager. A popular choice is to book a small band, perhaps a jazz trio, to perform. Whatever you decide it will surely be a memorable set of musical entertainment for you and your guests, combining fabulous surroundings and acoustics of this ancient castle.

Overview of accommodation

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Glin Castle sleeps up to 30 guests in 15+ enchanting and individually colour-themed en-suite bedrooms, each uniquely furnished and all with spectacular estuary or garden views.

You and your chosen overnight guests can expect freshly cut flowers from the walled garden in every room and each bathroom features a generous bath – some free-standing Victorian – and a separate shower as well as fluffy towels and bathrobes.

Cascading fabrics in complementing, pretty shades, adorn four-poster beds, sumptuous bedding and large sash windows. Cosy rugs and chaise-longues add even more comfort whilst delicately patterned porcelain, antique mahogany dressers and old photographs and paintings clustered over pastel-painted walls add the finishing touches to the beautiful array of bedrooms.

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