Destination Wedding in Bantry House, Gougane Barra & Ahakista

Bantry house, Ahakista & Gougane Barra

Orlagh and Nick covered most of West Cork in their wild Irish wedding! Both Nick and Orlagh are from the UK, but West Cork played a really special part in their relationship. I was hired as their Cork wedding photographer to capture their wonderful wedding.

Nicks' groom prep was in the stunning Bantry House, a 17th century stately house overlooking Bantry Bay and surrounded by picturesque gardens. Bantry House is a popular venue for destination weddings in Ireland, civil wedding ceremonies and luxury wedding receptions in West Cork. An added bonus is that the entire estate can be rented, providing a truly unique experience in a stunning setting.

Orlagh had her champagne bridal prep on the Sheeps Head Peninsula, in the boutique B&B Gallán Mor, overlooking a garden of native flowers and wild windswept seas.

Orlagh chose to get married in Gougane Barra on the same date as her parents, and her mother's mother got married there! So she was in fact the third generation of women to get married at Gougane Barra.

St. Finbarr's oratory is a little 18th century church on an island in Gougane Barra, on a lake in the remote mountain Shehy mountains. It is one of the prettiest churches in Ireland to be married in and offers stunning walks in the woodland forest behind the church. Entry by car is 5 euros.

Once the ceremony was complete, the couple and guests all made the scenic drive down to the Tin Pub in Ahakista for a marquee wedding. This was with breathtaking views of the harbour. A confetti throw, live band, & champagne by the sea, finished a brilliant day. No doubt a dip in the wild Atlantic Ocean was the cure the morning after!