I feel lucky to live in a country as beautiful as Ireland. It’s a place of rugged coastline and mountains, often right next to each other. And that’s exactly what makes Ireland a brilliant place to get married. Some of these wedding locations are very well known, like the Cliffs of Moher and the Hill of Tara.

But what if you want a ceremony with a difference? What if you want to go off the beaten track?

In this blog post, I’m going to share some brilliant wedding locations with you that I’ve come across on my travels. They’re places that are a little off the beaten track, and perfect wedding locations for free thinking couples who like to do their own thing.

The Copper Coast, Co. Waterford

I’m going to start with a place that’s right in my own backyard. The Copper Coast is a stunning stretch of coastline that takes you from Tramore, where I live, to Dungarvan. Along the way, you’ll enjoy epic views of cliffs plunging down into hidden coves, with caves tucked into the cliff face. It’s called the Copper Coast because there was once a thriving copper mining industry in the area.

The Copper Coast’s history has been captured at the Copper Coast Geopark Visitor’s Centre, which makes a wonderfully intimate spot for a wedding if the weather isn’t kind to you. Or you can go wild and have your wedding or vow renewal ceremony on one of the little coves, just the two of you, with the rolling waves providing the soundtrack.

St Patrick’s Well, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Now we’ll travel a little further inland to our next wedding location. St Patrick’s Well is another spot that’s dear to my heart, as I grew up a stone’s throw away. It’s been a sacred site for thousands of years, since Celtic times, but it’s also the site of a holy well and church dedicated to St Patrick.

The true joy of the ceremony came from the two rituals we did together. It didn’t matter that we weren’t in the same room – these rituals united us. First, we wrote wishes for ourselves on pieces of paper, then attached the paper to a piece of ribbon, and hung the ribbon for a place where we could always see our wish. On those grey, listless days, we can look at those wishes and remember why we’re doing what we do. And we can look to a brighter future.

As soon as you go through the gate and head down the steps towards the well, you’ll be filled with a sense of peace. The air is still and the modern world falls away. You will be able to celebrate your love in a place steeped with history, and the ancient trees surrounding it make a beautiful backdrop for your photos.

Slieve League, Co. Donegal

We all know the Cliffs of Moher are stunning, but you’ll find equally stunning views on the Donegal coast, at the Slieve League cliffs. You’ll also be away from the crowds. Known as Sliabh Liag in Irish, these are the highest and most impressive cliffs in Europe. If you’re feeling really brave, you can stand at the very top of the cliffs, which plunge down to the wild Atlantic Ocean 600 metres below. Like St Patrick’s Well, Slieve League has been a sacred site for Celts and Christians for thousands of years.

Lough Gur, Co. Limerick

If you are drawn to pagan and Celtic spirituality, Lough Gur is the perfect wedding location for you. Lough Gur is home to one of Ireland’s largest stone circles, which were used for pagan worship. The lake and the gentle, rolling hills around it give you a mellow backdrop for your wedding ceremony. Your younger guests can enjoy the fairy trails around the lake. It’s a more peaceful alternative to the Hill of Tara, with the added advantage that you can have your ceremony by the water.

Want some ideas for Celtic wedding rituals? Check out my Weddings page.

Guinness Storehouse, Dublin

You’ll know the Guinness Storehouse as a tourist attraction – in fact it’s Dublin’s number-one tourist attraction. But did you know you can also get married there? You can have your wedding ceremony in the Gravity Bar which is right at the top of the building, giving you panoramic views of the city. Then afterwards, you can enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness and toast your future happiness. If you’re an urban creature who’s more into city breaks than weekends in the wild, the Guinness Storehouse will be a cool choice for your ceremony.

I hope these ideas will inspire you, whether you’re living in Ireland or planning a destination from abroad. If you’re coming from abroad, don’t forget to sort out the legal arrangements before you come to Ireland for your dream destination wedding. If you’re looking for ideas for your dream wedding location, give me (Derbhile) a call on 087 6959799.