Clontarf Castle Hotel

About

Dating back to 1172, Clontarf Castle Hotel is a 12th-century castle in north Dublin, now run as a boutique hotel. It sits in the leafy coastal suburb of Clontarf, about 10 minutes from Dublin city centre. Medieval character meets modern comfort here, with atmospheric vaulted interiors and function spaces that suit an intimate ceremony or a private reception. There are 111 bedrooms on site, so guests can stay the night. It is a good fit for couples who want the romance of a real historic castle without leaving the city.

The first thing to know about Clontarf Castle for a smaller wedding is the day of the week. The hotel runs a rule of only one wedding a day, and its set packages start at 40 adults, but Fridays and Saturdays carry a much higher minimum. If your guest list is 50 or under, a weekday or Sunday date is where the castle makes most sense, and the team will put together a bespoke package for numbers below the standard threshold.

For a group of this size, the Viking Suite is the natural fit. It is a private, daylit room with its own bar and pre-reception area that holds up to 80 at most. It is also licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships, so you can marry and dine in the same part of the castle. The Great Hall is the larger ballroom, and the Indigo Lounge, with red chandeliers and a terrace, is used for drinks receptions alongside Knights Bar. Ceremony set-up includes chivari chairs and a red carpet aisle.

Food comes from the hotel kitchen, with three wedding packages, each with its own menu and a complimentary tasting for two in the Fahrenheit restaurant a few weeks beforehand. You can add a family dinner the night before or a barbecue the day after, which works nicely when most of your guests are staying.

Staying over is easy. There are 111 bedrooms across three grades, and up to ten rooms can be held at a reduced rate for a Viking Suite wedding, with the wedding suite for the two of you included in packages. The castle is in Clontarf, about ten minutes from Dublin city centre, and the hotel describes itself as fully accessible apart from the Tower Suite. A dedicated wedding executive looks after you from enquiry to the day itself.

What makes it special

• A genuine 12th-century castle hotel offering real medieval character just 15 minutes from Dublin city centre
• 111 bedrooms on-site ensuring the full wedding party can stay together beneath one historic roof
• Atmospheric vaulted ceilings, original stonework and characterful interiors create extraordinary wedding photographs

Features

Venue style