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Actons Hotel Kinsale Wedding Photographs
Author: dermotsullivan
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Glebe Gardens Wedding Reception
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Glebe Gardens Wedding Reception
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Dunmore House Hotel Wedding Photographs
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Intimate Outdoor Kinsale Wedding
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Intimate Outdoor Kinsale Wedding
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Winter Weddings In Ireland
I have photographed well over a hundred winter weddings in Ireland and I can only think of a handful where the weather interfered with the day. We have a Goldilocks climate here, not too cold, not too snowy and not too wet. If you plan ahead and get your timings right, you can have a fantastic day with great photographs and then have a cosy drinks reception with your guests before dinner.
Also, from the end of November, all the hotels are decorated for Christmas, which adds an extra festive dimension to the day.
I would classify winter weddings as the ones that happen between October and New Years Eve, not much happens in January and February. All the photographs in this blog post were taken in those three months.
Christmas Weddings in Ireland
The biggest problem from a photography point of view is how early it gets dark. By mid December, the light is gone by 4.15, so it is worth considering a church ceremony at 12.00 or 12.30. This can mean an early start for your hair and make up though, depending on how many bridesmaids you have.
A first look shoot before the ceremony is a good way to get some wedding party photographs done in daylight, especially if you have any distance to travel from the church to your reception venue.
Civil ceremonies at the venue where your reception is being held make the day a little easier to manage, but I would still suggest a 1.00 or 1.30 start for your ceremony.
Click here to see my guide to managing the time on your wedding day.
Top Tips for a Winter Bride
There are a few extra things that I would recommend you bring with you to make your day run smoother…
- Comfortable shoes that you walk outside in without getting your wedding shoes wet or dirty.
- Some umbrellas, just in case! I have some nice cream wedding ones, but it is worth having a few extra.
- Pashminas to keep bride and bridesmaids warm in the afternoon during the location shoot.
- Some sandwiches and water for the wedding car after the ceremony, getting married gives you an appetite.
All couples and all wedding days are different, which is why I work out a bespoke wedding day plan and a timeline with all my couples to suit their requirements.
If you are planning a winter wedding, I would love to have a chat with you to hear what you have in mind for your day. You never know, I might be the photographer that you are looking for.
See my Favourite Wedding Photographs of 2020 here…
Winter Weddings In Ireland
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A Wedding Photographer’s Best of 2020
A Wedding Photographer’s Best Photographs of 2020
We don’t need to be reminded how bad it was for couples who were planning to get married any time after the middle of March in 2020.
We could see the virus making it’s way across the globe, but we had no idea of the devastating impact it would have on our lives.
January and February are normally quiet months in the wedding industry, with things starting to get going in March and hitting its stride from April onwards.
I had photographed some civil ceremonies in the first couple of months of the year, including a really stylish wedding at the Triskel Arts Centre, but I was just warming up for another busy season.
I was photographing a renewal of wedding vows with an American couple on the 15th of March at Castlemartyr Resort. We had just finished the photography around 4.30 when the word came from the hotel that they had to shut everything down, lockdown had begun.
The couple decided to drive to Dublin airport straight away and fly back to Arizona that night to avoid being stranded here in Ireland!
The next week was a blur of phone calls and emails as couples scrambled to rearrange their dates with the hotels and their other suppliers. Some couples rearranged for later in the summer, only to have to move their dates again.
There were some windows of opportunity, when the restrictions were relaxed and couples could have 25 or even 50 guests, and some couples decided to go for it, despite their guests having to wear masks, there being no dancing and the bar closing at 11pm.
So, thank you to all the couples to trusted me with their wedding photography this year.
I’m looking forward to weddings getting back to normal as soon as possible and joining all my future couples on the dance floor for a non-socially distanced boogie.
See my best of 2019 wedding photographs here
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A Wedding Photographer’s Best of 2020
Here is a sneak peek selection of photographs from Catherina and Jason’s Skibbereen, Castlefreke and Fernhill Wedding…
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Click here to see some of my favourite wedding photographs of 2019
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Skibbereen Castlefreke Fernhill Wedding
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Wedding Dress Photo Shoot
Early in 2020, I was contacted by professional model Sandra McKenzie Vass Keogh, who asked me if I would be interested in doing a wedding dress photo shoot with her.
I was delighted with the idea as it meant that I could try out some new ideas and techniques that I wouldn’t have time to experiment with on a real wedding day.
Diamond Bridal, the award winning wedding dress shop in Cork city would supply the dress and veil, Sandra would get her hair done by boziuke83, make up done by Amanda Tattan and I would be able to suggest some great photographic locations around Clonakilty.
Then Covid 19 struck Ireland in mid March and all our plans had to be put on hold. Finally, after a lot of rearranging, we agreed to go ahead on Sunday the 2nd of August.
At this stage, I hadn’t shot a wedding in over 6 months, and I was starting to worry that I had forgotten how to do it!! Luckily, as soon as I had the camera in my hands and a bride in front of me, everything came flooding back.
From the very beginning, I had the gardens of Fernhill House Hotel in mind for the main part of the shoot, and depending on the weather, I planned to go to one of our fantastic local beaches for some seascape shots.
I contacted Michael O’Neill, 3rd generation proprietor at Fernhill with the idea, and he very generously gave us access to the gardens and a room for Sandra to get changed into her wedding dress.
On the day, the weather was perfect. No wind, no rain, cloudy skies with the sun breaking through. As it was the height of Summer, the gardens were perfect too, with everything neatly clipped and flowers blooming everywhere.
We made our was around the gardens, from the formal summer house and the outdoor ceremony building to the pergola and the bamboo avenue. I shot with my beloved 16-35mm for the landscape shots and the mighty 70-200mm for the portraits. I used on and off camera flash, and I made poor Sandra climb through the forest of wild flowers in her heels. But it was worth it!
After a couple of hours at Fernhill, we packed up and went to a field of barley I had spotted in Ardfield, about 15 minutes drive away, for some dramatic and moody black and white images. I was worried that the field would be cut when we got there, but thankfully, we beat the farmer by a couple of days.
Our last stop was Sandscove, a small stony beach near where I live and where I have photographed many times before. Sandra’s dress had a long ornate train and I wanted to create an image that looked a bit like a mermaid sitting on a rock, you will have to decide if I captured it or not, but I love it!!.
The whole afternoon was an education, being able to take the time to set up unusual shots and to play around with ideas. I’m really happy with the results and I hope that you like them too.
Click here to see my 2019 Fernhill Weddings Blogpost
Wedding Dress Photo Shoot
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Inchydoney Hotel Wedding Photographs
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I live just outside Clonakilty, across the bay from the Inchydoney Hotel and I have been photographing weddings at the hotel and on Inchydoney Beach since 2008.
The Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa one of the most popular West Cork wedding venues and is a fantastic location for your wedding.
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Clonakilty Wedding Venue
If you want to have a church ceremony in one of the beautiful local churches like Darrara or Clonakilty Church, or if you want to have a Civil Ceremony, like a Humanist or a Spiritualist Wedding, in the hotel, or an outdoor wedding at their stunning amphitheater overlooking the ocean, you have everything you need on your doorstep.
Outdoor Wedding Venue Beside The Sea
The interior of the hotel is perfect for wedding photography, and the sea views from the bridal suite and the function room are incredible,and the light reflecting off the sea is beautiful, but most couples choose to have their wedding at Inchydoney because of the access to the amazing beach’s.
There has been a hotel on Inchydoney Island, 3km outside Clonakilty, since the 1930’s. The original hotel was the height of modernity in its day and was advertised as ‘The All-Electric Hotel”, which is pretty impressive considering that some parts of West Cork didn’t get electricity until the 1960’s. The Inchydoney Hotel held weddings and dinner dances and was really popular with tourists from all over Ireland.
The original Inchydoney Hotel was demolished in 1977 and The Inchydoney Lodge and Spa that we know today was built in it’s place.
West Cork Wedding Photographer
As a wedding photographer, I am spoiled for choice when it comes to great photo locations there. There is a viewing platform that overlooks the Virgin Mary Headland that divides the two huge beaches, the Headland itself, the steps down to the beach on the right and the slipway to the beach on the left.
Perfect Wedding Photos
My preferred spot for wedding photographs is on the left hand side of the Headland as you are looking out to sea. The wind normally blows from left to right and you have lots of shelter when you are on the jetty.
I have photographed weddings there in the middle of summer and on New Years Eves and the hotel and its surroundings always provide a thrilling background for the bride and groom who are looking for a beach wedding.
If you are looking for a Cork based wedding photographer or would like some advice and information from experienced professional, please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.
Click her to see the wedding photographs Cork Brides like best
Click here for Top Tips on how to have a stress free wedding day
Inchydoney Hotel Wedding Photographs
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My Top 5 Kerry Wedding Venues
Hello!! If you are searching for the very best wedding venues in Kerry, maybe you will be looking for a wedding photographer once you have made your choice. I can’t claim to have photographed in all the wedding venues in Kerry, but in the past 10 years I have worked in most of them and here are my Top 5 Kerry Wedding Venues
I have photographed over 500 weddings and I have more than 90 five-star reviews on Google, so I’m a good source of useful information.
Drop me a line through my contact form and I’ll send you my recommended wedding suppliers guide, with the best hair and make-up artists, videographers, florists, wedding cars and cake makers that I have worked with, and my guide to having a stress-free wedding day.
Click here to see my Wedding Photography Packages and Prices…
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Ballyseede Castle Weddings
1. Ballyseede Castle in Tralee is a superb location for your wedding ceremony and reception. It is a stately home, set in beautiful gardens, with battlements around the roof, which give it the appearance of a castle, even though it is very cosy and comfortable inside.
The hotel has been tastefully extended to include a beautiful orangery for your drinks reception before you go through to the medieval banqueting hall for dinner.
My favourite locations here are the gardens with the manicured pathways and the beautiful roman temple. The stone steps at the front of the hotel are also excellent for photographs.
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Ballygarry House Hotel Weddings
2. The other hotel I like in Tralee is Ballygarry House Hotel. It is more modern than Ballyseede Castle, but it also has wonderful gardens and a huge foyer where your guests can enjoy their drinks reception. My favourite location here is the small bridge in the garden, which makes a great backdrop for a creative night shoot before the first dance.
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Sneem Hotel Weddings
3. The Sneem Hotel on the shores of Kenmare Bay is a modern hotel set in unspoilt parkland that runs down to the sea.
There is a separate house on the grounds overlooking the water that can be used for bridal preparations on the morning of the wedding.
My favourite features in this hotel is the terrace overlooking the bay, the pier and the rugged landscape of the grounds.
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Killarney Wedding Venues
Killarney must have at least 20 wedding venues, but I have chosen two that I particularly enjoy working in. Killarney also have some of the best scenery in Ireland and I have picked two locations that are easily accessible and that are great for wedding photography.
All hotels are set up now to hold civil ceremonies, but if you want to have a church wedding in Kerry, Killarney Catherdal is a beautiful and impressive venue for your ceremony. It’s open stone gothic interior and it’s huge altar make it a memorable location to get married in.
Killarney Cathedral Weddings
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Great Southern Hotel Killarney Weddings
4. The Great Southern Hotel in the centre of Killarney town first opened in 1845 and even had a visit from Queen Victoria in 1861.
There are several banqueting rooms in the hotel, and they can cater for parties from 40 to 600. The features that I love about this hotel are the amazing tiled entrance and reception area, the glass corridor, the gardens and the bridal suite.
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Muckross Park Hotel Weddings
5. Muckross Park Hotel is located about 10 minutes outside Killarney Town, opposite the gates into Muckross Abbey and Killarney National Park.
The hotel has two banqueting suites and can hold up to 270 in either room. The key features for me here are the gardens and the ground floor room for the drinks receptions, the spa, which is great for photographs, the huge stone entrance and the bridal suite.
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The Kenmare Bay Hotel and Resort Weddings
Say ‘I do’ Where Romance meets the Mountains – The Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort
Tucked away on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way and embraced by the rolling hills of Kerry, the Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and modern comfort. Just a short stroll from the colourful, bustling town of Kenmare, the hotel enjoys an enviable location: a gateway to both the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula, yet peaceful enough to feel like your own private escape. Guests are surrounded by stunning mountain views, fresh sea air, and the charm of Ireland’s southwest at every turn.
At the heart of the hotel’s wedding offering is our dedicated wedding team. With many years of experience and an unrivalled passion for creating seamless celebrations, the wedding co-ordinator and the team work closely with each couple to ensure their day is as unique as their love story. The hotel’s elegant banqueting suite can accommodate up to 350 guests, yet is versatile enough to suit smaller, more intimate gatherings.
The banqueting suite itself is a show-stopper — with spectacular views overlooking the Kerry mountains. It is bright and spacious, with chic décor that provides the perfect canvas for couples to personalise. From fairy-lit ceilings to glamorous table settings, every detail is carefully considered to create a magical setting. Enjoy our beautiful wedding garden, perfect for civil ceremonies or your pre-reception.
The resort offers a wide range of accommodation to suit everyone. Spacious, light-filled rooms provide a cosy retreat, while the luxurious self-catering lodges offer extra flexibility and privacy for longer stays. Beyond the bedrooms, guests enjoy full access to the hotel’s leisure centre, complete with a heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and fully equipped gym, as well as a rejuvenation suite offering beauty and wellness treatments — the ideal way to refresh after a long day and the probability of a late night!
Thoughtful Extras
What truly sets the Kenmare Bay apart are the little touches that make your wedding unforgettable. From champagne on arrival to your 1-year anniversary dinner. Our Team goes above and beyond to make your day special. The Kenmare Bay also provides a chauffeur-driven wedding car for the bride on her big day. From the moment she steps in, the journey becomes part of the celebration — whisking her to the ceremony in style, before escorting the happy couple together to their reception. Along the way, the chauffeur allows time for photographs at some of Kerry’s most scenic spots, turning the journey itself into a cherished memory. There are also a few extra special touches on the day, but we can’t give it all away!
The team’s warmth and genuine care shine through in these details, creating lasting memories.
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Killarney Wedding Photo Locations
There are two locations in Killarney that I love to take wedding parties to, for a 30 minute shoot on the way to their drinks reception.
Ross Castle
The first is Ross Castle, which is located on the edge of Killarney town. It is a well maintained castle and grounds on a lake, which works well as a backdrop for wedding photographs. The only issue I have with it is that it can be very busy with tourists, so I tend to avoid it during the summer months.
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Killarney Golf and Fishing Club Wedding Photographs
My all time favourite Killarney wedding photography location is the Golf and Fishing Club about 10 minutes from the centre of town, on the N72 towards Killorglin.
There are lakes and mountains, there are windswept trees and a humpback bridge and there is a picture perfect pier that runs out into the lake with a huge sky behind it.
It is fantastic in the summer and it is also fantastic at Christmas. It is a one stop 30 minute photo opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.
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My Top Kerry Wedding Venues
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Ballymaloe Wedding
Ballymaloe House, the East Cork restaurant and wedding venue is arguably the birthplace of modern Irish cooking.
There are other country houses in Ireland that host weddings, for me, Ballymaloe House, with it’s range of authentic historic buildings, it’s formal and wild landscapes, it’s super professional staff, not to mention it’s award winning food, is probably the best venue of it’s kind in the country
I was lucky to have the opportunity to photograph two weddings there this year, one in July and one in September. On both occasions, the house, the walled gardens and the Grainstore dining room provided an upmarket and classic backdrop for our photographs.
For Siobhan and Jamie’s wedding in July, Siobhan and her family got ready at Ballymaloe House, which made the morning very relaxed for everybody.
The light coming through the trees into the little private courtyard outside Siobhan’s room was magical and I did all the details shots and the morning family shots there.
We went to the Honan Chapel in UCC for Siobhan’s and Jamie’s ceremony and afterwards they whizzed back to Ballymaloe in an yellow open top MG. We used the impressive main driveway for photos and there was a beautiful field of barley for some shots in the bright summer sunshine.
They drove up to the front of the house in great style to be greeted by their guests for the drinks reception We did our formal family photographs on the front lawn and when the bell was rung for dinner we went to the walled garden for some romantic photographs.
After dinner, we went down to the ponds just as the light was falling, for some low light and off camera flash photographs. Then, just before their first dance, we used the front of the house for some creative backlit photographs.
Pamela and Ed also had a church ceremony for their wedding in September. Afterwards, we went to Pamela’s parents garden to do our formal family photographs and then on to Ballymaloe House.
Pamela and Ed travelled in a vintage Rolls Royce and once again, the driveway provided a timeless location for their photographs.
During the drinks reception, we took a walk across to the Ballymaloe Grainstore, where the wedding dinner would be served. I always recommend that couples take a look at their dining room before their guests come in and sit down, and this dining room was well worth seeing.
As you can see from the photographs, the team at Ballymaloe had done a beautiful job on the layout, which four long dining tables stretching the length of the room and the top table at right angles to everyone. This layout would be perfect for the surprise entertainment that was lined up for after the main course…
Before we knew it, it was time for the dinner bell, so while the guests were being seated, I did some shots with the wedding party in the front room of the main house and then it was speeches and dinner and “Mario” the fake waiter who is actually a fantastic opera singer. He got the crowd singing and waving their napkins like crazy!!
I feel that I have only scratched the surface of the photographic potential of Ballymaloe House and I can’t wait to come back to shoot more weddings here.
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Kinsale Hotel & Spa Weddings
Kinsale Hotel & Spa Weddings
I have been a wedding photographer for so long that the Kinsale Hotel and Spa has had three different names since I started shooting weddings there. I knew it first as The Carlton, then it changed to The MacDonald, a name that never really caught on with the public and was the cause of lots of jokes about drive thru wedding and happy meals!
Finally, it became The Kinsale Hotel and Spa, which is the perfect name really. I’m just surprised that none of the older hotels in the area decided to name themselves after their historic town first.
I shoot a lot of weddings at the Kinsale Hotel, and I’m flattered that they use several of my wedding photographs in their advertising. It has everything in place that you need for your ceremony, your reception and your guests.
There are holiday houses tucked away in the grounds where the grooms party can get ready if necessary. The Bridal Suite is huge and light filled, which is perfect for bridal preparations and pre-ceremony photographs.
There are options for Civil / Humanist / Spiritualist wedding ceremonies inside and on the grounds of the hotel. There are also lots of great wedding photography locations in and around the hotel too, with tree lined pathways, futuristic overhead walkways and a traditional bridge and waterfall. There are extensive views over the countryside and out into the bay from the terrace at the back of the hotel and a huge glass atrium in the centre of the hotel where you can hold your drinks reception.
If you have a church ceremony and are travelling to the Kinsale Hotel afterwards, there are some fantastic photography locations around the town that you can stop at for a location shoot with your wedding party.
There is a beach, two piers with views of yachts in the harbour, extensive sea views from viewing points, fantastic atmospheric pubs and Charles Fort, which is an impressive and very photogenic military fort, dating from 1680, which is about 5 minutes drive from the hotel.
All in all, if you are planning a church ceremony within a 45 minute drive of Kinsale or a civil ceremony at a venue with multiple options for your day, take a look at The Kinsale Hotel and Spa.
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Kinsale Hotel & Spa Weddings