Top Places to Elope in Ireland (From an Ireland Elopement Photographer Who Lived There)
Why Ireland Is the Perfect Destination for Elopements
In my opinion, Ireland’s got something to offer everyone; from its wild landscapes, ancient ruins, and moody weather, it has a cinematic, romantic feel that can’t be ignored. Add in the friendly people, endless sights and activities, and its hospitality, it’s the perfect place to elope and to have a honeymoon.
As a destination and Ireland elopement photographer who has lived in Ireland and explored it deeply, I’m so excited to share some of my favourite places with you. I should note that I am focusing on the Republic of Ireland in this blog post, and hope to write more on Northern Ireland in the future as well. I hope you fall in love with some of these places in the way that I have, because I think they would all make for stunning elopement locations.
So what is it about Ireland that would make it such a perfect for elopements?
Wild, intimate experiences in quiet places.
Are there a lot of tourists in Ireland? Absolutely. But they tend to congregate in the same areas (Ex. Dublin, cliffs of moher, etc.). There are so many places I’ve travelled to in Ireland that still have that “undiscovered” or “untouched” feeling. So for elopements and intimate weddings, these spots give the private, intimate feeling you’re looking for while also being set in stunning locations.
Freedom to keep things small & intimate
Depending on where you’re travelling from, Ireland is likely far enough way to keep your elopement small and meaningful, but not so far away that it feels like a challenge to plan for. Being an island, it’s removed, but it’s not difficult to access.
Dramatic scenery that’s relatively accessible
All of the locations I’m going to talk about in this blog past are accessible by car, train, or ferry. No helicopter rides or long-distance hikes required (but there can be some walking/hiking required to make it more of an adventure!). Plus, Ireland is a relatively small country, so it’s not crazy to consider incorporating multiple locations on this list into your elopement experience.
The weather
Now I know that many would argue with me that the weather is not generally something that would entice people to travel there, but hear me out. No, the weather isn’t all sunshine and beautiful all the time, but to me that makes it even more interesting. The wind, the dark skies when it rains or storms, all adds a moodiness and romance to your day. The moodiness of the weather matches the wild landscapes so perfectly and makes for truly unique and emotional images. As an Ireland elopement photographer, this is exactly the kind of day that makes for such memorable and meaningful moments. Ireland is all about experience over perfection.
Same stop and view, 24 hours apart
My Personal Connection to Ireland
When I was a university student, I was lucky enough to fulfill my dream of doing an exchange to study abroad for a semester. I got my first-choice exchange spot at Cork University, in the South of Ireland. I travelled all over the island, and got a little taste of the Irish culture and what made it such a special place. And I even met my future husband, a Cork boy completing his Master’s degree at the same university as me. After completing my degree, I returned to Ireland to complete my own master’s degree in Cork. My husband, then boyfriend, explored the countryside with me and introduced me to many beautiful places off the beaten path (some I’m sharing with you below!). When friends and family visited from Canada, I loved planning adventures and itineraries to take them to explore my favourite spots all over Ireland. After my degree, I lived and worked in Dublin for awhile, but after a couple of years in Ireland we decided to settle back in Ottawa, Canada, where I’m from.
Since then, we’ve travelled regularly to Ireland, spending lots of time in Country Kerry and West Cork visiting family, and the many beautiful places in both of these unique areas of Ireland.
How this impacts me as an Ireland elopement photographer
Living there allowed me to explore the country more slowly, beyond the main tourist highlights. Having a partner who grew up there also allowed me to see Ireland in a different light, and experience it in a way that a local does. This perspective, experience and knowledge has shaped how I would photograph an elopement there. For me, the beauty of the country, the places I felt the magic of the place, was in the quiet moments in off the beaten path locations. The weather can be unpredictable, but that added to the wildness of the place, and made me appreciate the landscapes even more. Ireland is a special place, and as an Ireland elopement photographer I can’t wait to share some of my favourite places with you below.
The Best Places to Elope in Ireland
The West Coast
My favourite area of Ireland is definitely the west coast, perfect for those who are looking for that dramatic, wild, cliffside scenery. Some of these locations are significantly less touristy as well, due to the fact that many visitors to Ireland don’t tend to travel beyond Dublin much.
The west coast can take a little more effort to get to, but it’s so worth it. I definitely recommend renting a car, so that you have the freedom to drive along the Wild Atlantic Way and visit some of the less touristy places.
Below are my top 5 picks of locations to elope in Ireland, in no particular order.
1. The Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park
The Ring of Kerry
Located in County Kerry, the Ring of Kerry is where I bring every friend and family member when they’re visiting me in Ireland. I love the rugged ocean views, the ruins and castles, and the friendly small villages along the route. If you rent a car, you can drive the whole route and make as many or as few stops as you like. Some of my favourites include Derrynane House & Gardens and beach, Staigue Fort, Sneem, and Killarney. It also has my favourite ruined castle along the way! You can view an interactive map of the many sites and stops along the way here. Kerry is also home to the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve which can make for great views of the nighttime sky.
Killarney National Park
Killarney National Park is one of the biggest gems found along the Ring of Kerry. This park is known for it’s rugged mountain views (check out Ladies View), lakes, stunning heritage sites, and woodland areas. Killarney National Park is truly stunning, and would make for a beautiful backdrop for an elopement, whether you’re planning to hike, sightsee, or simply enjoy nature.
Perfect for:
- Touring a variety of places, including ruins, castles, forts, cliffs, and small villages
- For those wanting something a little less remote feeling, but still want to experience amazing views and sites
- Those who want to incorporate hiking into their elopement
- Spending your elopement day in one general area (with access to lots of options)
Considerations:
- Lots of tour buses on the narrow roads during peak tourist season (can be a little nerve racking if you’re not used to driving on narrow roads)
- Some of the towns get very busy with the tour buses/tourists, so I recommend staying off the beaten path 😉
You truly can’t go wrong with and Ireland elopement in County Kerry!
2. Inis Mór (Inishmore), the Aran Islands
I spent a weekend on Inis Mór (InishMore, not too far from Galway) with my hubby about 10 years ago, and it’s one of my most memorable experiences in Ireland. We still talk about it being one of our favourite places to have visited. The Aran Islands are truly unique, beautiful little islands off the West Coast of Ireland. You access them by a short ferry ride from Rossaveel (all year around), Galway (seasonal) and Doolin (seasonal, which is a lovely little village where I took the ferry from), or by plane from Connemara Regional Airport; you leave your car on the mainland though, because these islands are so small that the ferries don’t take cars! Have no fear though, the highlight of my experience on Inishmore was renting bikes when we get off the ferry. We travelled all around the island by bike, and it was such a fun way to sightsee. Irish is still spoken on the island by residents, which also makes it feel like you’re stepping back in time (don’t worry, they speak English too!).
There are lovely bnb’s, restaurants, and pubs on the island. But best of all, it offers some of my favourite sights: the “Seven Churches”, the “Wormhole”, There are windswept cliffs, ancient forts, stone walls, Atlantic views, and truly stunning spots to just take a deep breath together. I think it would make for such a romantic, beautiful elopement weekend. Can you image eloping at sunrise at Teampall Bheanain or the Seven Churches, or during sunset at the Black Fort (one of my favourite spots, that no one else was at!)?!
Perfect for:
- Staying put for a couple of days, so you can explore the island at your own pace
- Lots of beautiful options for eloping (and many back-ups!)
- Feels wild, remote and rugged, with the appeal of having amenities (Accommodations and restuarants/bars) near by
- Couples who would enjoy walking, hiking and biking to sight-see
Considerations:
- Moderate physical ability will be necessary to full experience the more rugged sights and get around the island (there may be a small tourist bus running during tourist season), but bikes and e-bikes are available to rent
Overall, Inishmore is one of my absolute top recommendations for an Ireland elopement location. If you’re looking for a unique, romantic, remote location with stunning scenery, this is definitely one worth considering.
3. Dingle Peninsula
Explore part of the Wild Atlantic Way by doing the Slea Head Drive, which takes in many scenic views along the Western End of the Dingle Peninsula, including Gallarus Oratory, Coumeenoole Beach, Three Sisters Viewpoint, and Cashel Murphy. Dunquin Harbour is a stunning location for photography, and would make for a great stop on your elopement adventure. You can also hike all or part of the Dingle Way to include in your elopement, or afterwards as part of your honeymoon.
Dunmore Head, one of the most westerly points in Ireland, would make for a romantic, beautiful area to exchange vows. Hiking out to the headland will provide for stunning cliff and ocean views, and you might even make some sheep friends. If you can hike to its highest point you will even find an Ogham stone, an early medieval monument featuring the earliest form of written Irish.
Taking the scenic drive through the Conor Pass, you can descend into Dingle Town, one of my favourite towns in Ireland. This charming fishing village has great pubs, trad music, Dingle Distillery, boat tours and more. The Dingle Peninsula is truly stunning with so much to do and see, you won’t be disappointed!
4. The Wicklow Mountains
Probably the most quickly and easily accessible wild landcsapes for those arriving in Dublin, the Wicklow Mountains are a little over an hour drive South of Dublin. This national park offers beautiful, moody mountain views with forests, hiking trails, lakes, and historic sites and ruins. This area is a beautiful option for couples who want to mix in some hiking with their intimate elopement day, enjoying nature without having to travel too far from Dublin.
Drive along Military Road and take in the wide mountain scenery and Sally Gap. Many of the Monastic Sites would make for amazing backdrops for elopements or post-elopement photos, including St. Kevin’s church, The Gateway, and The Cathedral. Incorporate hiking into your elopement day with one of the many trails offered in this park. Hikes range from 1km to 130km and are rated as easy, moderate or strenuous. You could hike to a scenic viewpoint to have your elopement ceremony, or incorporate hiking into some part of your day or even make it a multi-day trip (wild camping is permitted if you follow the Wild Camping Code).
Perfect for:
- Shorter stays in Ireland; Wicklow is very close to Dublin, which is where most people fly into internationally
- Couples who love to hike and enjoy mountain views
Considerations:
- less varied terrain than the West Coast (but still stunning)
5. West Cork
West Cork is a beautiful area of Ireland, full of beaches and unique little spots. Less wild looking than the West Coast but beautiful nonetheless, it’s attracted artists and people from all over. Having studied at University College Cork, Cork will always be extra special to me, and I had a lot of time to get to know and explore it. Some of my favourite spots include Garnish Island, Barleycove Beach, Lackenakea Bay Beach, and Three Castle Head (one of my favourite spots to visit!).
Perfect for:
- Quiet, intimate celebrations
Considerations:
- less rugged looking than the West Coast
As an Ireland elopement photographer, and someone who has spent a lot of time in West Cork, I truly think it would make a wonderful place to elope. So much so, I’m planning to write a whole blog post just about this area soon!
What It’s Like to Elope in Ireland (What Couples Should Know)
Here’s some things to know about eloping in ireland.
The weather can be unpredictable, and change fast
Yes, it rains fairly regularly, but most days it’s brief. To have the best elopement experience in Ireland, it’s best to embrace the mist, rain, wind and clouds and let go of expectations. As I mentioned before, this weather has given me some of my favourite photographs in Ireland, so it’s not worth getting hung up on the weather. Outside of major storms which may pose a safety risk to myself and my couples, I shoot in all weather conditions!
Time moves differently
If you’re coming from North America like me, you may be accustomed to things moving fast and on right timelines. Lower this expectation for Ireland. The Irish people are incredibly friendly and accommodating, but are used to a slower pace. And this is something to embrace! Planning an elopement in Ireland is not a time to feel rushed, which is why all the elopements I plan build in lots of wiggle room for flexibility (weather and location changes) and taking our time.
Permits and legal marriages
If you’re planning an elopement in Ireland, you are likely trying to decide if you will legally marry there or do a vow ceremony instead. There is a legal process to get a marriage license in Ireland, and it needs to be done several months in advance. You can find more details here to help make your decision. Keep in mind, to legally marry in Ireland, you will also need witnessed and an officiant. For these reasons, many people who elope in other countries often choose to do the legal ceremony back home (somewhere like city hall), and a vow ceremony just the two of them (and their photographer!) during their actual elopement. I can help you decide what to do if you’re not sure! As for elopement locations, some places (like national parks) do require permits for photographers; this is no problem, and is taken care of by me in advance of your elopement. Once you have an idea of where you want to elope, I will make sure we can have legal permits to be there!
A calm, adaptable Ireland elopement photographer who knows the area and culture matters
As you’ve probably gathered by now, I’ve learned a lot about Ireland and the Irish culture. Having an Ireland elopement photographer there with you who can adapt and be flexible if plans need to change (hello weather!), knows how to get something like a taxi, when to tip, etc. can make your experience all that more smooth and relaxed. Plus, I’m pretty fun to hang out with 😉
Why Hiring an Ireland Elopement Photographer Matters
Hiring the right person to not only photograph your Ireland elopement, but also to make it a stress-free, unforgettable day is key. The potential for quickly changing weather conditions, and the resulting change in lighting when this happens, means you need someone who is adaptable and experienced in this environment.
My style as an elopement photographer in Ireland is to take a more relaxed approach; instead of having a strict schedule, I leave lots of breathing room in the day so that couples have time to enjoy it, and breath it all in. Having backup locations is also a great way to manage changing weather conditions as well. I strive to be a guide, showing you some of my favourite places, but I also know when to step back and simply let the moments unfold.
I value storytelling in my approach to photography, which means I want to tell the full story of your day, from the small glances, smiles, and details, to the big ones when you’re exchanging vows. It all deserves to be remembered through nostalgic, cinematic images.
Can You Elope in Ireland Without a Big Wedding?
Absolutely! Something I love about destination elopements, especially Ireland elopements, is that the wedding day becomes all about the couple. You could choose to elope just the two of you, or with a handful of loved ones. Instead of spending huge sums of money on a larger, traditional wedding, you can elope in a beautiful, romantic place like Ireland and go on the honeymoon of a lifetime. There are so many amazing places in Ireland to explore, it makes the perfect elopement and honeymoon location. Ireland is full of stunning landscapes, quaint villages, old folklore and whimsy; all of this makes for a romantic backdrop for elopements and intimate celebrations.
Planning an Ireland Elopement? I’d Love to Document It
If anything in this blog got you excited about eloping, or made you feel a connection with Ireland, I would love to hear from you! Ireland holds a special place in my heart, I just love to document its beauty. I love to travel internationally and am regularly in Ireland, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re thinking of eloping abroad. I’ve travelled to many different countries, so I can help plan the destination elopement of your dreams, whether it’s in Ireland, Scotland, Canada or beyond.
I bring a calm, grounded presence to all of my elopements, with a focus on storytelling over posing. If this sounds like what you’re looking for, let’s chat! To see where I’m travelling to next, check out my website here.
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