Dream Weddings in the Wicklow Glens
Co. Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland. Its lush landscape showcases the colours of the rainbow with depth and clarity. Being only a shortish distance from Dublin city this makes it an attractive setting for couples wishing to have a stunning wedding; a day never to be forgotten.
Getting to Rathsallagh House in Co. Wicklow is an easy drive down the M7 and on to the M9. It is only when you reach the turn off that it becomes a little tricky with narrow twisty roads and you have to take care for the last 5 miles. However, on the positive side it is like turning a switch in your head as you go from main modern roads back in time to completely rural surroundings and roads where you are in close proximity to Mother Nature. Cows and sheep meander in the nearby fields and the odd tractor can be seen cutting hay on a summer’s day.
The entrance to Rathsallagh Country House Hotel is magical. The House dates from 1798 and was originally a Queen Anne stables; a far cry from the luxurious bolthole it is now. Rathsallagh can be aptly described as a jewel of a Historic Hotel and an ideal location to place that other jewel on the finger of your dearly beloved.
The property has 29 bedrooms and several sitting rooms with sofas so comfy it is hard to leave them. I am also a great fan of the Kitchen Bar, which is a fun place to chill out. The overall décor is very cosy and classic and a far cry from the impersonal hotels which dominate the hospitality industry. The bedrooms are all individually named such as ‘Blue Over Arch’ ‘Cottage Room’ ‘Half Acre’ ‘Rose Cottage’ ‘Little Room’; each of them charming. Even the newer rooms in the converted barn have names. Unlike hotels who undertake extensions Rathsallagh made sure that the rooms in the new annexe were finished to an extremely high standard and they are HUGE. There is no way that any guest would feel cheated if they are staying in these rooms. The walk-in showers are simply massive.
What also makes Rathsallagh House stand out as the perfect location for a wedding is their walled garden; I don’t know of any other property that boasts such a fabulous enclosed garden; the entrance to which is accessed by a small hidden door in the wall under one of the arches. This is a proper Secret Garden. I love the crunch of the gravel paths which is a sign of a well kept country house.
The wood panelled Dining Room is in the main House; with a large table right in the middle always decorated with a very substantial flower arrangement which adds to the ambience. The tables are perfectly dressed with crisp white linen for dinner. They have an excellent Chef and dinner is always a special occasion so do put on some finery. It always fascinates me the way that the formally dressed Dining Room changes between dinner and breakfast where the next day the tables are dressed in country style check linen. The big antique sideboard is always laid out to perfection with the ‘piece de résistance’ being the whole cooked ham on the bone. Adjacent to the Dining Room is their Wedding Pavilion or Marquee which is an outstanding space nestling among the specimen trees of the estate.
Now wedding guests will naturally be absorbed by all the festivities but sometimes they might be tempted to take extra time to investigate the surrounding region. Interesting things when staying in Rathsallagh is a visit to Kildare Retail Village where there is a very good selection of outlet shops with great value for money. If you are a fan of horse riding you can always check out the races at Curragh and Punchestown courses. The National Stud is another popular place for guests to visit.
Rathsallagh House is owned by the O’Flynn family and Joe and his excellent team are a powerhouse when it comes to looking after any special arrangements etc. when that Big Day Beckons and Wedding Bells are ringing.
