Ballyvolane House

The Green family’s gracious mansion is surrounded by its own farmland, magnificent wooded grounds, a trout lake and formal terraced gardens, all carefully managed and maintained. The Italianate style of the present house - including a pillared hall with a baby grand piano and welcoming log fire - dates from the mid 19th century when modifications were made to the original house of 1728. With big log fires, beautifully proportioned rooms including a fine formal dining room, and luxurious bedrooms looking out over extensive grounds, it is a very elegant house, but is also a warm and friendly family home and the atmosphere is much more country house than hotel.



Justin Green gained a wealth of experience in some of the world's top hotels before returning home a few years ago with his wife, Jenny, to take over the running of Ballyvolane from his father, Jeremy - who still ensures that the grounds are kept immaculate and that the beautiful walled kitchen gardens are fully productive.



The perfect hosts for wedding parties, Justin and Jenny are an extremely hospitable couple - and totally committed to ensuring that the standards of hospitality, comfort and food for which this lovely house is renowned will always be maintained. 



Since 2011, when the Greens introduced an unusual Bohemian tent room in the gardens specifically for weddings, this has become  one of the most magical wedding venues imaginable.



A million miles from the usual 'marquee wedding', this beautiful tented room backs onto a lovely old stone stable wall which, together with a sandstone floor and the rustic reclaimed timber poles supporting the roof, give it a real sense of permanence.  The entire structure is clad in vintage canvas and the side and front canvas walls can be rolled up and tied with a ribbon if it's a nice day - and it is set so naturally into the gardens that it is hardly visible from the house.



With the ceiling lined with exotic fabric, antique tin lanterns hanging down from it, and tables set up with fresh flowers and many personal touches, it's an incrediby romantic setting - and there's an entrance through to the old stables, where there's now a delightful old-world Irish bar. Highly atmospheric, it's just like best rural bars used to be (and some still are, if you are lucky enough to find them), with mismatched old furniture and a real fire; there's  space for dancing here too, and even a games room above the bar.  



A bar gazebo is also be set up near the house for the drinks reception, and in fine weather tables here can be used for the more casual meals offered over the wedding period (2/3 day programmes can be arranged). 



There is a choice of churches in the area, but civil ceremonies and wedding blessings can also be arranged at Ballyvolane, either in the house or, in fine weather, in the gardens - and the property offers countless stunning backdrops for wedding photographs.



Although accommodation in the house is limited, there is room for the extended bridal party and the bridal suite gets ‘a proper wedding night makeover’ with candles, flower petals, champagne, strawberries and chocolates. Extra 'glamping' accommodation is available in comfortably furnished bell tents in the gardens and breakfast is served until noon every day, which is understandably popular with wedding guests - who also hugely appreciate the complimentary Bloody Mary cocktails handed out during breakfast!



While this wedding venues got no formal wedding planning (or wedding cake) service, the Greens can arrange anything the bride and bridegroom would like, including vintage car hire, helicopters, spa & beauty treatments and hair dressing - and there is a very flexible attitude to menu planning.



Stylish, immaculately planned and a little bit quirky, this is unquestionably one of Ireland's most desirable wedding venues.







 

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