Laura&Andrew
Friday · The Second of July · Two Thousand & Twenty-Seven
The Lodge at Ashford Castle · County Mayo, Ireland
The Lodge at Ashford Castle Cong, County Mayo · Ireland
Ashford Castle
Sitting on the shores of Lough Corrib in County Mayo, Ashford Castle is one of Ireland's most beautiful landmarks. Over its 800 year history, Ashford Castle was once home to the Guinness family. Today, its 350 acres are home to a luxury castle resort and The Lodge at Ashford Castle.
The Lodge at Ashford Castle
The Lodge at Ashford Castle sits on the grounds of the Ashford Estate, overlooking Lough Corrib. Built in 1865, it was once home to the estate manager of Ashford Castle, and today it's a boutique hotel with plentiful activities, fine dining, and lots of personality. Perfect for a celebration!
Cong
Cong is a village in County Mayo made famous by the 1952 Oscar-winning film, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and home to the Ashford Estate.
53°32′N 9°17′W · County Mayo, Ireland
The Celebrations
A Weekend of Joy
We are so delighted to welcome you to the West of Ireland to celebrate our wedding! We've got a ton of fun in store — please find more details below.
Getting There
What You Need to Know
We can't wait to have all our loved ones in Mayo to celebrate with us — here are a few tips and tricks to make the trip go smoothly.
Flying In
For guests coming from the U.S., we recommend flying into Dublin Airport (DUB) or Shannon Airport (SNN). The Ashford Estate is roughly a 3 hour drive from Dublin Airport and 1.5 hours from Shannon Airport. Renting a car is the easiest way to get around Ireland, but you can also book train or bus tickets if you prefer. More info on this is in our FAQ section!
The Ashford Estate
We have a limited block of rooms reserved at The Lodge at a discounted rate. To reserve a room as part of that block, please call +353 94 954 5400 or email reservations@thelodgeac.com and mention that you are a guest at our wedding. These are first come, first served. If you're interested in booking a room in Ashford Castle, click here.
Local Accommodations
Cong Village is just a short walk from the Ashford Estate with loads of small hotels to choose from. There are plenty of taxi options in the area should you need one.
Exploring the West of Ireland
There's nothing like a beautiful summer's day in Ireland — we encourage you to extend your trip to explore before or after our wedding! See our FAQ section for all our recommendations.
A Few of Our Favorite Moments
Laura & Andrew
FAQs
Travel & Weekend Details
A few helpful notes ahead of the weekend.
What do I need to know about getting to Ireland?
If you're coming from the United States or England, you'll just need a valid passport, no visa required. More info on other countries here.
Many airlines offer multiple flights a day to Ireland, but we would be remiss if we didn't recommend flying Aer Lingus if you can! For the culture! The Ashford Estate is roughly a 3 hour drive from Dublin Airport and 1.5 hours from Shannon Airport. And of course, for anyone traveling or connecting from England, there's the very small but mighty Knock Airport (NOC), right in the heart of Mayo, about 45 minutes from the Ashford Estate.
What do I need to know once I get there?
The Euro is the national currency in Ireland. The vast majority of shops and restaurants take credit cards and mobile or contactless payment, but taking out some cash is smart, just to be safe.
It's often said that you can experience all four seasons in Ireland in one day — the weather is very fickle and can change on a dime, so keep that in mind as you pack. Summer temperatures typically range from 50–70 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will feel much warmer than that on a sunny day. For when the weather does change, some light layers or a rain jacket are musts!
What about driving?
Renting a car is definitely the easiest way to get around Ireland. As long as your driver's license is printed in English, it is valid for your trip and can be used to rent a car in the Republic of Ireland.
Third-party insurance is mandatory for car rentals, and many credit cards do not cover insurance in Ireland, so do your due diligence before making a final decision on insurance.
In the Republic of Ireland, you drive on the left side of the road and the right side of the car. And most Irish cars are manual transmission, so be sure to select automatic transmission when you're booking your rental.
What if I don't want to drive?
If driving on the wrong side of the road is just not for you, it's also possible to get around by train, bus, or taxi.
Buses and trains run from Dublin and Shannon Airports to towns near Cong, but it's not a direct trip and you'll need to book a taxi for the final leg of the journey. Claremorris and Galway City are the closest. Click here to book bus tickets, here for train tickets, and here for more info on booking a taxi. The Ashford Estate also offers a private chauffeur service — more info on that here.
Is your wedding ceremony indoors or outdoors?
Weather permitting, our wedding ceremony will take place outdoors on grass. Fingers crossed for a sunny day!
Is there parking at the Lodge?
Yes, there is plenty of parking at the Lodge.
Can I bring a guest?
Due to space constraints at our venue, guests are limited to those named on your invitation.
Are kids allowed at the wedding?
Due to space constraints at our venue, our wedding will be an adults-only celebration. However, if you're bringing your kids to Ireland, they are welcome to attend our Welcome Party and Day Two. The Lodge can also help connect you with a babysitter for the wedding day — you can find more information here.
Where should I stay in Ballina after Day Two?
There are loads of great hotel options in Ballina — the Ice House, the Great National Hotel Ballina, Belleek Castle, Mt. Falcon Estate, and the Twin Trees Hotel are all great options. Taxis are plentiful in Ballina, so don't worry about getting home after the party.
What else should I do while I'm in Ireland?
If you're hoping to extend your stay in Mayo, visiting Westport is a must. Climb Croagh Patrick, hop on a boat around Clew Bay, and stop into the famous Matt Molloy's for a pint and some live music. It's worth spending a couple days in Dublin (yes, you should visit the Guinness Storehouse) and Galway to see the classic sights. Dingle in Co. Kerry and Kinsale in Co. Cork are also popular spots for visitors. If you're renting a car, drive the Ring of Kerry or part of the Wild Atlantic Way — the views are unbeatable.
RSVP
Kindly Reply
Kindly let us know if you will be able to attend our wedding festivities by April 1, 2027. We cannot wait to celebrate with you in Ireland!
Kindly reply by April 1, 2027