My Favourite Venues to flower in West Cork!
I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to flower up some of the most gorgeous weddings and events, and with so many venues available to choose from in Cork county, I (and of course my couples and clients!) are really spoilt for choice. There really is something for everyone!
Being a hopeless romantic, and an aesthetic, some venues really do have an extra bit of allure for me though.
Here are my favourites!
Dunmore House Hotel
With it’s stunning position overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the edge of Clonakilty bay, Dunmore has so much to offer as a wedding venue.
The attention to detail and quality here is unparalleled; it boasts (albeit subtly, think quiet luxury) a Michelin guide restaurant, a large and meticulously tended organic kitchen garden which produces huge amounts of it’s own ingredients for the hotel, a huge and varied art collection (the entire hotel is a gallery), incredibly tasteful and high quality decor, and an array of options for wedding couples including an outdoor clifftop ceremony space, a seasonal covered stretch tent, a boutique clubhouse to enjoy your wedding prep have your drinks reception or to privately host your Day 2, and an elegant ballroom to wow your guests in.
Check out Dunmore House Hotel website here.
Dunowen House
Flowers and styling for Illuminare Retreat at Dunowen House.
A little further along the Clonakilty coast, down a charming country road, lies beautiful Dunowen House. The house has an interesting musical history and has been lovingly restored by its owners Kela & Stephen. Their taste is exquisite and the house has a really well balanced feel of luxury meets homely.
It is the perfect venue for smaller weddings and elopements; the house is available as an exclusive hire venue, so you will have it to yourselves in it’s entirety.
Kela is the most fantastic cook and designs bespoke, seasonal menus for you, often incorporating ingredients grown in the Dunowen garden. She can also arrange a caterer, or any other supplier you might require.
Dunowen also hosts hen do’s, so if you are seeking a gorgeous venue for your bride to be this is definitely one to consider.
See Dunowen’s website here for more info.
Drishane House
Bohemia Canvas Marquee at Drishane House with Howe Hill Flowers
If you are seeking a historic house venue which feels like you have just stepped into a Jane Austin novel, this is the one for you!
Drishane House is the home of The Somerville family, they still live on site in a converted wing. The whole house and gardens is available for exclusive hire. You can pop up a marquee on the lawn right beside the house, and create a bespoke day (or weekend, or longer!) hiring in all of the best West Cork suppliers.
The house itself is spectacular; filled to the brim with antiques, art and memorabilia. You and your guests will have so much to be intrigued by and talk about!
Located on the edge of Castletownshend village (which itself is storybook beautiful), there are so many gorgeous and historic places to explore, and have a little photoshoot in nearby. Be sure to stop in to Mary Ann’s for lunch or dinner, and check out the Harry Clarke stained glass windows in the old church at the end of the village!
Find out more about Drishane House here.
Monks Lane
A custom arch for a Monks Lane wedding. Image by Kate Bean Photography
Gavin & Michelle’s gastropub in the pretty village of Timoleague is renowned for it’s great food, warm welcome and charming interior. The pub has a beautiful outdoor area at the back which can host a small, intimate ceremony in, or in fine weather host a drinks reception.
Michelle is probably as crazy about flowers as I am, and grows lots herself which she styles the restaurant tables with. I usually look after your wedding party florals here, and perhaps some key ceremony arrangements, and Michelle works her magic on your tables.
See more about what Monks Lane can offer here.
Liss Ard Estate
Liss Ard Estate is a vast, 5 star, exclusive hire venue, located just outside Skibbereen town in West Cork, and quite close to Drishane House.
The grounds are incredibly beautiful and feature the world renowned Sky Garden by James Turrell
The beautiful main house can host your drinks reception, house your weddings party, and you can hold your ceremony and reception in the cellar restaurant or hire a pretty marquee and have a party in the walled garden.
I would recommend hiring a planner to co-ordinate your day at this wonderful location so you can truly enjoy every moment of your experience here.
Discover what a Liss Ard experience is here.
Blairscove
Images by Magda Lukas Photography for A&R Wedding at Blairscove
Blaircove is a stunning country house which sits at the edge of and overlooking Dunmanus Bay, just outside Durrus village.
The restaurant is renowned for it’s incredible food and beautiful interior, everybody talks about the desserts displayed across the grand piano!
Ceremonies can be hosted outside in the beautiful walled garden in fine weather and there’s a pretty conservatory space overlooking the bay in inclement conditions.
A lot of our Blairscove couples opt for our Sans Service option and collect their flowers from our studio the day before, bringing them to the venue themselves. The Blairscove team are so helpful and usually help get the flowers set up the next day. We do love the opportunity to go ourselves on a Full Service wedding as pictured above, and create a bespoke installation for you such as an arch or fully styled dining tables!!
Ann & Chris who own and run Blaircove are as lovely as their venue and you will be treated like absolute royalty here.
