Hotel Doolin Weddings, your sustainable wedding choice,
Well, what can I say… Hotel Doolin is a truly unique, vibrant, and stunning wedding venue tucked away in the heart of Doolin, Co. Clare. During my stay, I completely fell in love with this place! The first time I heard about it was when Ailbhe Garrihy got married there, and it looked gorgeous from afar. Now that I’ve experienced it up close, I can tell you it’s every bit as magical as it seems.
If you’re thinking of tying the knot here, there are three things you should know: sustainability is in the venue’s DNA, the barn setting is fabulously unique, and the award-winning wedding team is second to none.
First things first—sustainability. Hotel Doolin is Ireland’s first carbon-neutral hotel, and I can’t emphasise enough what a huge achievement that is. It’s not just a checkbox here; they live and breathe sustainability. For example, the barn has solar panels that provide 35% of the hotels energy and this is what is needed to power a wedding. They use up-cycled materials throughout and plant ten trees for every wedding couple—talk about commitment! And their food philosophy is incredible; all ingredients are sourced within a 50-mile radius. I dined at both Fitz’s and Glas, and the food was absolutely delicious.
When I visited, I had the pleasure of being a little fly on the wall, watching a wedding setup in action. Most couples choose to get married on-site, and it’s easy to see why. The Barn is purpose-built for weddings, offering a blank canvas for each couple to make their own. They work closely with Ríona from Rí Weddings and Events to create custom decor for every couple—think stunning ceiling installations with florals and disco balls (yes, disco balls!). The Barn transforms seamlessly from ceremony to a stunning dining space, creating the perfect flow for a wedding day.
Before dinner, guests gather in a private reception area, greeted by a seafood boat, a charcuterie table, and essentials like gin, cocktails, beer, and prosecco. This spread is part of every package, and the look of awe on guests’ faces said it all.
While guests are enjoying this, the couple can sneak off to Doolin Pier for photos. The rugged Irish landscape and breathtaking Atlantic views make it a dreamy backdrop for those romantic shots. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you could even plan a pier jump or a seaweed bath the morning of the wedding!
When dinner is ready, guests return to the transformed barn. The private bar, which blends seamlessly with the space, keeps everyone close to the dance floor, creating a lively, intimate vibe. Outside, the secluded courtyard is exclusively yours, and with festoon lighting, fire pits, and cozy seating, the atmosphere at night is truly enchanting.
For accommodation, Hotel Doolin offers 17 guest rooms, including a bridal suite, plus several houses for different groups attending the wedding. And let’s talk about the Bridal Boudoir—this dedicated prep space has everything a bride and her party could need, from dress rails and a kitchenette to a hair and makeup area. Such a thoughtful touch!
One of my favourite aspects? Hotel Doolin has a one-wedding-a-day policy, but they go above and beyond by blocking two days for each couple as standard. That means your wedding is truly about you and only you.
All in all, Hotel Doolin gets a big thumbs up from me. I loved it, and I’m already looking forward to going back!
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