9 best places to elope in Ireland

Cliffs of Moher & O’Brien’s Tower elopement

The Cliffs of Moher is undoubtedly the most popular place for elopements and counts to one of the most scenic and unusual wedding venues in Ireland. And why wouldn’t it be? The setting is remarkable and the breathtaking photos speak for themselves. The Cliffs are situated on the west coast of Ireland in County Clare and are suitable for legally binding wedding ceremonies held outside O’Brien’s Tower.

Being one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country, The Cliffs of Moher welcomes over one million tourists each year. Hence, it isn’t be best choice of location for those couples seeking a private elopement ceremony. If however, a crowd of curious onlookers doesn’t phase you, then an elopement or intimate wedding on the Cliffs of Moher is truly a unique and magical experience.

The best time to marry in the Cliffs of Moher (in terms of how busy the site will be, as well as weather considerations) is on the cusp of the tourist season, from mid-April to early May and late September to early October. If eloping in the summer time, consider a late afternoon or evening ceremony to avoid the site’s busiest hours.

Tip: Make sure to also check our blog post on 28 Top Picks for Accommodation near the Cliffs of Moher to find the best places to stay for your Cliffs of Moher wedding!

Elope to Moher Tower at Hag’s Head

Hag’s Head marks the most southerly point of the Cliff of Moher and is the end of the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail. However, due to the distance between both locations and the restricted access to Moher Tower (the landmark of Hag’s Head), we have chosen to include it as a separate elopement location of its own.

Access to Moher Tower at Hag’s Head can be gained on foot, by walking 1.1 km from the designated car park. For those not wishing to walk, the tower can be accessed directly by car – via the local farmer’s private road – for a small fee.

So why choose the Hag’s Head location over The Cliffs of Moher? Firstly, it offers closer access to the spectacular cliff edge, making for even more breathtaking wedding photographs. And most importantly, Hag’s Head has a slightly lower footfall than the official Cliffs of Moher visitor’s site. Meaning you will have fewer eyes on you during the ceremony. Similar to the main Cliffs of Moher site, best time of year to elope to Hag’s Head is April-May and September-October.

Newtown Castle for weddings in Co. Clare

Newtown Castle is a medieval tower in Co. Clare where wedding ceremonies are allowed to be held inside. It's a great choice for an elopement venue in Ireland not only because of the protection it provides from the unpredictable Irish weather, but because of its unique architecture. Unlike most castles in Ireland that are huge and grand, the Newtown Castle has a narrow cylindrical form with a distinctive pyramidical base.

You can rent the castle exclusively for your elopement and it will be a perfect fit for your intimate ceremony. Whether you elope without a guest or bring some friends and family members with you, the castle's interior will look amazing for your big day. The castle's Minstrels Gallery can comfortably fit 20 guests while the Main Hall can seat up to 40 people.

After the ceremony, you can climb up to the castle's highest point and adore the serene landscape of The Burren. This Irish region is known for its pre-historic glaciated landforms and patches of foliage. When combined, these two features create a perfect mix of dark solid rocks and a vibrant plant life. Extend your adventure by visiting the Cliffs of Moher which is one of the most popular attractions in Co. Clare. It's just a 35-45 minutes drive away from castle!

Blasket Island Heritage Centre & Slea Head, Dingle elopement

Blasket Island Heritage Centre is a museum which honours the memory of a remote community that used to live on the Blasket Islands until they were forced to evacuate in 1953. The centre is licensed to hold Civil marriage ceremonies and is a great indoor ceremony location for couples wishing to elope to Ireland in the colder months.

The Blasket Island Centre is also only a 10 minute drive from Slea Head, Ireland’s most south-westerly point (the closest you can get to America from the mainland!) which offers stunning views of the ocean and a spectacular rugged coastline. Ceremonies at the Blasket Island Heritage centre require privatisation of a park of the museum for a small fee, meaning it is perfectly suitable for couples looking for a more private ceremony location.

Castle Ruin for elopements in Dingle

This small tower castle ruin sits on a hill overlooking an intimate rocky beach. The castle is privately owned by a local resident whose back yard grounds encompass the castle. However, access to the castle for general public is forbidden. Due to the private property element of this elopement venue, it is only suitable for symbolic ceremonies. This is because the Irish law requires that any couple who decides to get married in Ireland must choose a ceremony venue that is accessible to the public, i.e. not a private home. At the same time, this ensures total privacy for your elopement ceremony. Couples seeking to hold a symbolic ceremony at this castle ruin must request prior access from the owner and pay a small usage fee.

Say yes in Fanningstown Castle

This small wedding venue in Ireland – a charming little castle in County Limerick – is ideally equipped for intimate elopements with your nearest and dearest people. The castle is licensed for Civil wedding ceremonies and offers a beautiful backdrop for a romantic outdoor elopement underneath the huge willow tree or using the ornate ivory wrought iron arch. The castle can sleep up to 10 people in 5 bedrooms and can host receptions for up to 20 guests indoors. The highlight of this elopement venue is it’s proximity to Adare village, which has been repeatedly awarded the title of one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns thanks to it’s colourful thatched roof cottages lining the streets.

Ballycarbery Castle for intimate ceremonies

One of the best hidden gems of County Kerry, Ballycarbery Castle is a beautifully weathered ruin of a former palace. The remains of the castle is still an impressive structure of four storeys tall, with ample greenery covering the walls. It sits on a hill surrounded by acres of green fields and the North Atlantic Ocean is just a stones throw away. It’s proximity to the ocean means ample photographic opportunities, including the Kerry Cliffs of Portmagee . The Kerry Cliffs may not be as famous as the Cliffs of Moher but they are equally picturesque (and less crowded!). Ballycarbery Castle is suitable for an outdoor elopement which can be legally binding Humanist, Spiritual or Secular ceremony.

St Finbarr’s Oratory religious weddings

Finding an intimate and cosy setting for a Religious elopement ceremony can be challenging. Luckily, St Finbarr’s Oratory is a tiny romantic chapel that can only seat approximately 30-40 people in the most enchanting setting. Situated on an islet at the heart if Gougane Barra Lake, the chapel is enclosed by hills and woodlands. The chapel is fully consecrated and available to hire for Religious wedding ceremonies. However, no resident Priest is available so couples will need to bring in their own Priest.

Plenty of photographic opportunities await you after the ceremony: the lake, the tall pine trees and a couple’s boat ride being just a few of our favourite scenes for your wedding album. Should you wish to continue the celebrations nearby, the Gougane Barra Hotel and Cronin’s Bar & Cafe are just across the road.

Rustic elopements in Glengarriff Lodge

Located in the heart of the Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve in County Cork, the Glengarriff Lodge is a charming thatched roof cottage that was originally a hunting lodge of the Earls of Bantry. It is an ideal venue for rustic and boho elopements with a small group of guests. The former hunting lodge can sleep up to 8 people on site and offers facilities for intimate weddings of up to 20-30 guests.

The lodge is available for rent throughout the whole year. In the summer, vast private grounds of the property provide ample space for an outdoor ceremony and al’ fresco reception. In the winter time, the cosy glass conservatory overlooking the garden is available for an indoor event option. The estate is completely private so the Lodge is a perfect setting for those seeking to be close to nature but without the prying eyes of curious tourists.

If you didn’t find anything close to your dream wedding venue, you might want to check out our other recommended places to get married in Germany or wedding venues in Italy.

Photo credits

St Finbarr’s Oratory – Dasha Caffrey; Glengarriff Lodge – Michelle bg Photography