Can you legally get married at Gougane Barra?

Yes — ceremonies take place in the famous lakeside oratory in West Cork.

Is Gougane Barra good for winter weddings?

Yes — Gougane Barra is especially atmospheric in winter with misty forests and dramatic scenery.

A Fairytale Springfield Castle Wedding in Ireland | Laura & Keegan

When Americans Laura and Keegan decided to elope in Ireland, they didn’t want a cookie-cutter destination wedding; they wanted a once-in-a-lifetime adventure surrounded by their closest family and friends. Their chosen venue? The breathtaking Springfield Castle, one of Ireland’s most unique and exclusive wedding venues, is hidden deep in the lush countryside of County Limerick, close to Shannon Airport.

This is the story of their exclusive castle wedding in Ireland, where laughter echoed through medieval towers, coffee flowed from a vintage cart, and even a surprise Garda comedy act made an appearance.

Springfield Castle wedding photos by Sarah Kate Photography

Getting Ready in the Castle

The morning at Springfield Castle felt like something from an old movie, light streaming through the tall sash windows, the castle grounds covered in soft mist, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee from Dansa Coffee Cart. Just what we needed to get us fueled for the big day ahead.

Laura had her bridal prep in one of the castle’s elegant suites, with makeup by the incredible Blaithin Griffin and hair by the ever-talented Dawn Monaher. Her gown, a romantic creation by Wtoo by Watters, looked effortlessly graceful beside the vintage textures of the castle.

Across the courtyard, Keegan got ready with his groomsmen in the castle’s underground bar (yes, there’s literally a bar inside a tower!). The lads wore sharp suits from Suit Grotto, and the banter was peak Irish craic.

A Ceremony in the Tower

The ceremony took place in the Tower itself (I posted a clip on TikTok, which has since gone viral), one of Springfield Castle’s most iconic spots. Their celebrant, Dave Allman, led a heartfelt handfasting ceremony. Guests took colourful ribbons to weave their blessings into the couple’s cord, an ancient Celtic tradition that symbolises “tying the knot.”

Music by Peadar, like always, filled the stone tower, creating that goosebump-worthy mix of Irish magic and raw emotion that makes eloping in Ireland so unforgettable. He stayed on and how the crowd pumping during cocktail hour.

Cocktail Hour in the Courtyard

After a joyful ribbon exit, guests gathered in the courtyard for cocktails and coffee. Wonderous Weddings, doing what she does oh so well, designed romantic florals that looked like they’d been plucked straight from a countryside garden, while the Irish Horse Box Bar kept the drinks flowing.

And Auntie Katie’s Wedding Babysitting made sure the littlest guests had the time of their lives.

Dinner, Dancing & a Surprise Garda Act

Dinner was served in the castle’s Tower dining room, an intimate feast that felt straight out of a royal banquet. Speeches were heartfelt and hilarious, and just when everyone thought the night couldn’t get better, a surprise performance by Dickie Donnelly (posing as a Garda!) had the entire room in fear for their lives first and then in stitches.

Music by BMG Sound kept the dance floor alive up in one of the 15th-century towers of Springfield Hall, and the couple shared a magical first dance. What a way to celebrate getting married in your very own Castle in Ireland with all your friends from all over America.

Springfield Castle Wedding Photos

Contact me to find out more

Ok, so you want to book a private castle for your wedding in Ireland? Here's everything you need to know about Springfield Castle

What Does It Cost to Get Married at Springfield Castle?

Ah, the question on everyone’s lips...... “How much does it actually cost to get married in a castle in Ireland?”

Well, Springfield Castle isn’t just any old pile of stones with a few ghosts rattling about; it’s the real deal with centuries' worth of history to prove it. You’re talking exclusive castle hire from around €12,000–€15,000 for two nights, and that includes room for about 25–30 guests, the full run of the castle, the courtyard lodges, and enough green space to lose your new in-laws in.

It’s bloody perfect for Americans eloping in Ireland, the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into an Irish period drama, but with better coffee and central heating. There’s no stuffy formality here, just that laid-back “come in, kick off your shoes, the kettle’s on” sort of vibe — only, you know, it’s a castle.

And if you’re planning a small wedding or intimate elopement, Springfield is magic. Every inch of it is photogenic, ivy climbing up ancient stone walls (August, September and October are best for this), candlelit cellars that look like secret hideouts, and forests so fairytale-like you half expect a fairy to jump out of.

Capturing the Wedding Magic

Every moment of Laura and Keegan’s day felt like pure storytelling, in the Irish sense of the word, quiet morning vows whispered over coffee, toddlers giggling mid-ceremony, and sparklers lighting up the night like something out of a dream.

It’s weddings like this that remind you exactly why Ireland is one of the best places in the world to elope; it’s not just the scenery, it’s the soul of the place.

So if you’re dreaming of eloping in Ireland, planning your own castle wedding, or just want Ireland’s best wedding photographer to tell your story the way it deserves, I’d love to be there with you.