Everybody is looking for something different for their wedding venue, especially in these times with severe restrictions. I’ve picked out two venues which offer a special quirky experience to make your day really special. We may not be able to guarantee the weather in Ireland but our hospitality sector can offer so much more with warmth and charm. Two of the most unique venues I’ve discovered through my research are The Village Barn at Tyrrellspass and Rock Farm in Slane.
The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass
contact: 087 270 9646 (David)
At The Village Barn you can expect exclusive hire this Family run relaxed venue in the heart of the country but only an hour from Dublin in Tyrellspass. It offers an alternative style venue complete with locals pub, chapel, orangery and large Barn surrounded by cobbled court yard and lush gardens. Dedicated kitchen, bar and service staff ensure that both the couple and guests have a most memorable day.
The Village Barn boutique prices vary on both time of year and numbers attending but basically start at €750 – €2000 for the venue which includes use of the Rustic Barn complete with bar and picture windows which can accommodate up to 220 guests, Sanctuary complete with pews and pa system for your civil ceremony and The Orangery, the ideal venue for your drinks reception and canapés as well as the arrival court yard, gardens for the day of wedding exclusively and an 8 seater courtesy van with driver to bring guests home the night of wedding, and most important a dedicated coordinator on the day, the owner’s daughter Amy or the Manager and the guarantee of friendly staff.
Food options start at €50pp for just a meal and rise to €80 for the bells and whistles package of Canapés and drinks reception of Prosecco/G+T/Beer on arrival back in the orangery, Choice of Starter, Signature Sharing Platter Mains with 3 Sides, served to the tables family style, tasting Dessert plate with a tub of our famous ice-cream and Tea/Coffee with night time food of homemade foodie style Pizzas and baked ham rolls with crisps including ½ bottle Wine pp and drinks on arrival. Prices of the attached packages are below and all inc drinks and wine.
They have 15 bed spaces in the cosy cottage and associated out buildings 2 doors down and have the farmhouse 2km away that sleeps a further 12 in house and 4 in the associated potting shed! These spaces are managed separately but have the same landlord and the existing cottage and out buildings costs €450 for all the accommodation for 1 night and farm house and potting shed is €620 for 1 night. They are currently adding another few rooms to the sheds at farmhouse and there’s also lots of accommodation both locally and towards Mullingar. Guests can book accommodation the night before wedding if you are booking access to the barn day before but are not required to book any or all spaces just because you are getting married. As The Village Barn is a family run catering company first off and food is their passion so you can be assured of the very best of local ingredients passionately prepared and served in a friendly relaxed environment.
Venue Hire in May to September is €1500 for a Friday with access day before, for a Saturday with access on the Friday is €2000 and with access morning only on Friday or Saturday is €1000, April, October and Christmas week €1200 with access day before and €800 with access morning of event, March €1000 and November to February €800 exc Christmas. If you went mid week venue hire is €500 less. For a Sunday – Wednesday venue is €600 for the day, package prices are €5 less or we can tailor a package to suit your requirements.
Platters
Summer Signature Platter €80
Winter Signature Platter €80
Summer Meat Feast €75
Winter Meat Feast €75
Fin and Feather €75
BBQ platter €75
International Platter(Chinese, Indian Thai style dishes in sauces) €75 Vegetarian Platter €75
Traditional (Choose 2)
The original €75
Roasted Strip loin of Home Bred Aged Beef with natural jus Baked Darne of Salmon with a Creamy Chorizo Just Meat €72.00 Roasted Strip loin of Home Bred Aged Beef with natural jus Baked Supreme of Chicken Stuffed & Wrapped in Bacon Very Irish €72.00 Lamb Shank in Red wine and Rosemary jus Lemon & Thyme Roast Chicken Cost includes drinks and canapés, night bites and ½ btl wine pp.
Without wine reduce price by €7.50, corkage is €7.50 per bottle Without drinks on arrival reduce price by €6.00 Without canapés reduce price by €5.00 Without Night bites reduce price by €4.00
The average cost for a wedding of 50 is €5000 and accommodation for 30 is from €1000 in quirky cottage and amazing Farm House
Link to farmhouse https://www.facebook.com/Hill-
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Rock Farm Slane
contact: +353 (0) 41 988 4861
Ever dreamt of a magical woodland setting for your wedding day surrounded by nature and ones you love?
Picture yourself at Rock Farm Slane. Their lush fields, meadows, magical forest and river settings will captivate you and your guests on your Big Day. They specialise in bespoke weddings here on a very private part of the Slane Castle Estate.
Rock Farm Slane is a glamping, ecotourism and organic farm on the Slane Castle estate stretching for 1.5km along the banks of the River Boyne. The long track to the farm takes in the views of Slane Village and the Hill of Slane beyond as you wind through fields of barley, agroforestry, cows, chickens and horses to the Limehouse Ecolodge beyond which has been built out of straw from the barley grown locally.
Wedding setting options include:
- Guest numbers of 80 – 250 pax: Glamping ceremonies and receptions with our own 120m2 stretch tent under the broccoli tree:
Followed by dinner and dancing in the Hay Barn.
Midweek and weekend (min 2 night stay at weekends).
- Glamping-only weddings (with our other marquees) is mid-week option only
- Small weddings available both at the Glamping or Lime House (www.rockfarmslane.ie/lime-house) midweek only. See image bank here:
Catering
Is now in-house with new chef team Keith Coleman and Aisling McHugh of the Roots Project www.rootsproject.ie and formerly of the Fumbly and Fia in Dublin.
Rock Farm Slane are known for their Mixed Grill and Pig on the Spit offerings as well as a good range of vegetarian and vegan options. Keith and Aisling have made a name for themselves with tasting menus at their pop-up dining events across the country and most recently at Kilruddery House. Most of the ingredients for their menus come from the organic farm (pork, beef and veg from the veg patch) as well as the Slane Food Circle (www.slanefoodcircle.ie) and Boyne Valley Flavours (www.boynevalleyflavours.ie).
Bridal Party Accommodation
Swallow’s Nest: Romantic 2-man strawbale cabin overlooking the natural swimming pool provided as part of the above wedding package (FOC) if the whole farm is taken: https://rockfarmslane.ie/book-now/property-details-page/?id=96532
Lime House: 6 ensuite bedrooms sleeping up to 2 – 4 sleepers, max 22 people sharing: https://rockfarmslane.ie/lime-house/book-the-lime-house/
Glamping: 2 x 2-man shepherd huts, 3 x 4-man 16’ yurts and 2 x 6-man 20’yurts: https://rockfarmslane.ie/book-now/glamping. Max 28 people.
Bell Tent Village: 2 x 4-man (5m) bell tents, 1 x joined set of bell tents (2 x 5m) with stretch awning across (max 8 sleepers) and 1 x 6-man (6m) bell tent all on platforms. Max sleepers 22: https://rockfarmslane.ie/book-now/glamping
River House: House by the river at the foot of the farm. 5-bedroom (3 ensuite) sleeping a max of 10 sleepers: https://rockfarmslane.ie/book-now/property-details-page/?id=489546
Guest Facilities
Aside from timeless nomadic dwellings in the form of yurts and shepherd huts which are furnished with warm, comfortable beds dressed in crisp, fresh linen and down or wool pillows. Le Shack (our communal area) boasts piping hot showers from a wood stove, luxurious natural soaps and a naturally furnished communal space where you can kick back or party. Guests can enjoy two outdoor wood burning hot tubs, one on the glampsite and one at the Lime House. Rock Farm Slane also have a Natural Swimming Pool with sloping beach accessible to guests throughout their stay during daylight hours (no lifeguard in attendance).
The Ceremony
Rock Farm Slane’s unique offering combines a high-end service in beautiful natural surroundings. They offer a beautiful spider tent in our packages which is a great option for couples to have their ceremonies on the glamp site.
You may choose to have your wedding ceremony in one of the local Churches in nearby Slane Village or perhaps you are looking to host a humanist or shamanic celebration onsite. Either way they can provide you with an experienced venue-based coordinator to guide you through the process, celebrants and other specialist services such as wedding coordinator, catering, flowers, hair and beauty. Couples looking to host a civil ceremony/civil partnership at Rock Farm Slane would need to contact Meath County Council Registrar directly for pre-authorisation for approval of venue.
