Meg & Ash
May 30th, 2027
Ballyfin Demesne, Ireland
May 30th, 2027
Ballyfin Demesne, Ireland
The Weekend of
Full details and timing to follow with your formal invitation
Friday
May 28, 2027
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Estate Activities & A Pint
Join us for clay pigeon shooting, archery, horse & carriage, falconry, and a pint to start off the weekend.
Saturday
May 29, 2027
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Welcome Dinner & Party
Join us for a sit-down dinner outdoors, weather permitting, followed by live Irish music.
Attire: Cocktail
Sunday
May 30, 2027
Time TBD
Ceremony
Details to follow.
Time TBD
Reception
Ballyfin · Attire: Black Tie
Save the Date
May 28 – 31, 2027 at Ballyfin Demesne, County Laois, Ireland
A rough idea is all we need for now. Let us know if you think you might be able to join us.
If you are interested in staying at Ballyfin, please enter your contact information here and our wedding planner, Maria Reidy, will reach out to you to book. Please note we have very limited rooms at Ballyfin, as there are only 21 rooms in total.
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The Venue
County Laois, Ireland
Ballyfin Demesne is a historic country estate located at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois, Ireland. At its heart sits a grand neoclassical, Regency-era mansion that was built in the 1820s for Sir Charles Coote. The house is enclosed by 614 acres of private parkland, which features ancient woodlands, a 30-acre man-made lake, grottoes, and walled gardens. After serving as a private residence and later a boarding school, the property underwent a meticulous nine-year restoration before reopening as a premier country house hotel in 2011.
Ballyfin Website View on map
Where to Stay
We have exclusive use of Ballyfin from Friday through Monday. Whether you stay at Ballyfin or elsewhere, you are welcome to enjoy the estate throughout the entire long weekend. Rooms at Ballyfin are very expensive, and we understand this is not for everyone. We have a couple of hotel options for the weekend at a wide variety of price points, and we will provide shuttle service from the other hotels.
For guests staying off-site, we have blocked additional rooms at Roundwood House and Blackhill Woods Retreat.
All rooms blocked for our wedding.
A 300-year-old, family-run B&B offering a quintessential country house experience. 10 minutes from Ballyfin · 12 rooms. Rooms range from €235 to €320 per night. Breakfast is included with your stay. Dinner is served in the evenings and is booked in advance. We will provide transportation from Roundwood House to Ballyfin for the welcome party and wedding festivities. roundwoodhouse.com
All rooms blocked for our wedding.
A family-run home and nature retreat set on 5 acres of rewilded ancient woodland. 20 minutes from Ballyfin and under 5 minutes from Abbeyleix town. Rooms range from €150 to €165 per night. Breakfast is included with your stay. Guests are welcome to explore the private woodland trails, discover peaceful sit spots and enjoy time surrounded by mature trees, birds and wildlife. Yoga and therapies may also be available by prior arrangement. We will provide transportation from Blackhill Woods Retreat to Ballyfin for the welcome party and wedding festivities. blackhillwoods.ie
A beautifully reimagined 19th-century country house just outside Abbeyleix, Ómós is a newly opened contemporary Irish guesthouse and restaurant surrounded by gardens and woodland. We do not have a room block at Ómós, but it is a wonderful option if you are planning to arrive in Ireland a few days early. Please note that Ómós is closed on Sunday nights and therefore is not available for the night of our wedding — their current official schedule confirms check-in Tuesday–Saturday and check-out Wednesday–Sunday, with dinner served Tuesday–Saturday. Rooms at Ómós range from €450 to €1,000 per night. Ómós is 3 minutes from Blackhill Woods Retreat, 23 minutes from Ballyfin. omos.co
Ballyfin has a total of 21 rooms, plus a lodge. A limited number will be available for our wedding guests. Ballyfin stays require a mandatory 3-night stay, Friday through Monday, and will be available to book starting Wednesday, November 11th.
Stays at Ballyfin include breakfast for all days and lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
On Friday night, everyone is on their own for dinner. There are two options at Ballyfin: the State Dining Room for a formal, Michelin-starred dining experience, or a more casual dinner in the Cellar Bar. We can make your dinner reservation when you book your stay.
Please contact our wedding planner, Maria Reidy, at planner@megandash.com to book.
Rooms at Ballyfin range from €900 a night to €1,950 a night, depending on the category of room. Rates are per room, per night.
There is also a separate Lodge with three bedrooms, a full kitchen and stove. It sleeps 5 and is €2,000 a night. A golf cart will be provided. The lodge is not featured on Ballyfin’s website. View lodge photos
Getting There
Everything you need to plan the journey to County Laois
Dublin Airport (DUB) is the best-connected option, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from Ballyfin by car. Direct non-stop flights are available from the following US airports:
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic: New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Philadelphia (PHL), Washington D.C. (IAD), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), and Pittsburgh (PIT).
Midwest & South: Chicago (ORD), Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Detroit (DTW), Cleveland (CLE), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Orlando (MCO), and Miami (MIA).
West Coast & Mountain: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), Denver (DEN), and Las Vegas (LAS).
Shannon Airport (SNN) is 1 hour 30 minutes from Ballyfin by car.
Direct flights to Shannon are available from:
New York City (JFK): Aer Lingus and Delta
Boston (BOS): Aer Lingus
Chicago (ORD): United Airlines
Newark (EWR): United Airlines
Please email TBD if you need help booking car service from the airport.
A rental car is a lovely way to see more of the countryside. In Ireland, the steering wheel is located on the right side of the car, and you drive on the left side of the road. We highly recommend renting from Sixt Car Rental. If you plan to use your credit card's rental insurance coverage, make sure Ireland is included in its geographic coverage — many credit cards do not cover Ireland rental cars.
While You're Here
614 acres of parkland, a lake, walled gardens, and woodland walks — you may not need to leave the estate at all. On the grounds you'll find clay pigeon shooting, archery, falconry, horse & carriage rides, fishing, cycling, croquet, tennis, and scenic walking trails past the cascades and grottoes. The Ballyfin spa offers an indoor pool, vitality pool, sauna, gym, and treatment rooms.
About 20 minutes away from Ballyfin. A tranquil hillside landscape of formal gardens designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with lakes, woodland, and sweeping views across seven counties. Free admission. Heywood Gardens Website
About 24 minutes away from Ballyfin. Visit the impressive 18th-century house and explore its expansive gardens and parkland. Emo Website
On the way to Ballyfin from Dublin.
Make a stop at Kildare Village, an outlet shopping destination featuring designer and luxury brands. It's a convenient stop on the drive from Dublin to Ballyfin, approximately 32 minutes from Ballyfin. Kildare Village Website
About 1 hour from Ballyfin. A picture-perfect medieval city with a castle, cobbled streets, and excellent restaurants and pubs.
Beautiful gardens and a working historic telescope, about 40 minutes from Ballyfin — a lovely half-day out.
Gentle walking trails right on Ballyfin's doorstep, ideal for working off the previous night's dinner.
If you're arriving early or staying on, Dublin is well worth a day or two — an easy add-on before or after the wedding weekend.
Restaurants and Pubs Nearby
A Michelin-listed neighbourhood restaurant on Abbeyleix's Main Street, celebrated for its seasonal menu built around the best of the county's produce. Bramley Website
A newly opened farm-to-table restaurant and guesthouse just outside Abbeyleix, serving produce-driven Irish cooking from chef Cúán Greene. Omos Restaurant
A beloved 250-year-old pub on Abbeyleix's Main Street, barely changed since the 1880s and one of Ireland's most atmospheric traditional bars. Morrissey's on Map
Make It a Trip
A guide to our favourite hotels, restaurants, and sights if you're extending your stay
We highly recommend venturing to the west coast of Ireland.
Tap "Map" next to any listing to open it directly in Google Maps.
Dublin
Hotels
A grand five-star hotel in a row of restored Georgian townhouses, with one of Ireland's finest private art collections, right next to Government Buildings.
A glamorous hotel just off Grafton Street, known for its lively lobby lounge and central shopping location.
A new boutique lifestyle hotel near Merrion Square, with a rooftop restaurant from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Restaurants
A cosy Italian-leaning wine bar and bistro on Merrion Row with a daily-changing, seasonal menu.
A bold, glamorous Italian osteria set inside a restored 19th-century bank on Westmoreland Street.
New York-style pizza by the slice or the pie, with locations on Stephen Street and in Rathmines.
Co. Tipperary
Hotels
An elegant 18th-century palace hotel with gardens that look straight up at the Rock of Cashel.
Co. Cork
Hotels
A 17th-century estate turned five-star resort with a championship golf course, spa, and moated castle ruins on the grounds.
Co. Kerry
Hotels
A beloved boutique B&B perched above Dingle Town with some of the best sea views in Ireland.
Things to Do
Boat trips out of Dingle harbour to spot dolphins, seals, and the dramatic Kerry coastline.
Scenic excursions around Dingle Bay, taking in the peninsula's cliffs and the Blasket Islands.
Co. Clare
Hotels
A grand medieval-style castle hotel with its own golf course, close to Shannon Airport.
An oceanfront resort on Ireland's west coast, built around a dramatic links golf course along the Atlantic dunes.
A restored 19th-century house on the Wild Atlantic Way, reopened as a 13-room coastal retreat with interiors inspired by The Burren.
Restaurants
A harbourside seafood pub on the Flaggy Shore in the Burren — nearest hotel is Gregans Castle Hotel, about 15 minutes away.
Things to Do
Dramatic Atlantic cliff walks along the Loop Head Peninsula, quieter than the Cliffs of Moher.
Co. Galway
Hotels
A new luxury hotel on the shores of Galway Bay with a championship golf course and destination spa.
A storied castle hotel set on its own river and woodland estate in the heart of wild Connemara.
Restaurants
A beloved riverside restaurant by the Spanish Arch, serving warm, seasonal Irish cooking in a cosy, art-filled room.
A warm, family-run restaurant in Galway city known for its ever-changing, produce-driven menu.
A 250-year-old thatched pub on the water, famous for fresh oysters straight from Galway Bay.
A beloved traditional pub in Galway's West End, famous for nightly live Irish music sessions upstairs and downstairs.
A stylish new seafood restaurant set in Clifden's former post office — nearest hotel is Ballynahinch Castle, about 20 minutes away.
A cosy harbourfront pub famous for simply prepared, locally caught seafood — nearest hotel is Cashel House Hotel, a few minutes away.
Things to Do
Three rugged islands off the Galway coast, reachable by ferry, known for ancient stone forts and traditional island life.
Ireland's only fjord, a dramatic glacial valley on the Connemara–Mayo border, best seen by boat cruise.
Co. Mayo
Hotels
One of Ireland's most famous castle hotels, set on the shores of Lough Corrib.
Restaurants
A charming French-inspired wine bar, bistro, and deli on Bridge Street — nearest hotel is Ashford Castle, about 25 minutes away.
Things to Do
A stunning Blue Flag beach cradled by cliffs at the far end of Achill Island.
Questions
Answers to what we're asked most — get in touch if yours isn't here
Estate Activities & A Pint
Casual and comfortable! Come prepared to enjoy the estate, with layers and comfortable shoes recommended for exploring Ballyfin.
Welcome Dinner & Party — Cocktail Attire
Weather permitting, we'll be celebrating outside at the back of Ballyfin House, overlooking the cascade and orangery. This is cocktail attire for an outdoor seated dinner: a cocktail dress, a suit, or dressy separates. We recommend bringing a layer for the evening.
Wedding Day — Black Tie
Think formal evening wear: a tuxedo or dark suit, a floor-length gown, or any elegant formal look you feel great in, such as tailored evening separates.
We are having an adults-only wedding, with the exception of a few children who will be included in the ceremony.
Ballyfin typically welcomes children ages 9 and older for individual stays, but children of all ages are welcome when the house is reserved exclusively by one group, which it will be for our wedding weekend. There are specific rooms at Ballyfin where we can add a rollaway bed.
Childcare services will also be available to book at all of the accommodation options.
Your formal invitation will note if it includes a plus one. If you're unsure, just ask us directly.
Yes! Ballyfin is exclusively ours for the wedding weekend, from Friday through Monday. You are welcome to arrive at Ballyfin beginning at noon on Friday. Official hotel check-in is at 3:00 PM on Friday, and check-out is at 11:30 AM on Monday, unless you choose to extend your stay and book additional nights at Ballyfin.
Your presence is the only gift we're asking for. If you'd still like to mark the occasion, details are in the Registry tab on our website.
Reach out to us directly or our wedding planner Maria Reidy at planner@megandash.com.
Registry
Your presence at Ballyfin is the only gift we're asking for. For those who'd still like to mark the occasion, we've put together a small registry.
Coming soon
RSVP
A formal invitation with full RSVP details will follow — for now, let us know if you're able to join the weekend
Thank you — we can't wait to celebrate with you at Ballyfin.
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