Wedding Planning
For many, the idea of creating their wedding is exhilarating! They are confident about how their wedding should look and feel, who will be there and how it will all run, and now they are ready to plan the finer details. For others it can be a little overwhelming, with so many choices and decisions to be made, and the pressure that couples can feel to get it right for everyone involved.
Our first piece of advice to wedding couples is to take a breath! Planning a wedding is a marathon, not a sprint, though we have supported couples in racing to the finish line at lightning speed! Your wedding day is a celebration of love and friendship, two people coming together as one and sharing their commitment to each other with the family and friends they hold dearest. So, take a few moments to really consider what it is that you both want from this special day.
Download our latest Wedding Brochure.
THE FIRST WEDDING MEETING
With a 60-year legacy of hosting some of the most beautiful weddings in Offaly, we are delighted to welcome couples to the County Arms to consider our much-loved heritage hotel and grounds as the location for their own incredibly special day. At your very first meeting with the County Arms Wedding Team, we’ll listen to your plans and ideas and get a sense of the kind of celebration you would like to have.
We will take you through our myriad event spaces, both in the hotel and across our gorgeous grounds and gardens, so you can picture how your own wedding might look in each one. We will share images of how different County Arms couples have transformed each of these spaces, and the creative and dramatic ways in which they have been personalised through layout, décor, and lighting.
We’ll chat about your guests and their needs and, where possible, show you our Bridal Suite, our gorgeous newly created suites - The Aviary and The Nest - and some of our brand new refurbished contemporary rooms.
We will consider food and beverage menus and help you to design a wedding menu that best reflects your personal tastes. We will look at options for your Welcome Reception, your Wedding Meal and our much-loved ‘After’s Buffet’, as well as our wine and champagne lists and our cocktail menus.
Our little black book is full of the very best wedding services and providers in Offaly, and we are delighted to share our recommendations with you. It includes everything you need to for the perfect day, from wedding celebrants, florists and cake designers to make-up artists and hairdressers, food trucks and vintage car hire, photographers, videographers, bands, and DJs and everything in between!
We will talk about costs and payment terms and provide detailed budget options for you to consider carefully in your own time. We won’t put pressure on you to make any decisions on your first meeting with us. This is simply about ensuring that you have all the information you need to help you decide on your wedding venue, and a chance for us to share how the County Arms and our Wedding Team can work with you to create and deliver the wedding of your dreams.
The New Moorpark Ballroom
Following an extensive renovation, the Moorpark Ballroom at County Arms has been thoughtfully reimagined, blending its long-standing elegance with refined, contemporary detail. Inspired by the heritage of the building and the Georgian character of Birr, the refreshed space offers a warm, timeless setting for modern celebrations — while maintaining the exceptional standards, service and attention to detail that couples expect throughout every stage of their wedding journey.
THE MAGIC NUMBER!
To invite or not to invite, that is the question!
We have hosted the most stunning, intimate wedding parties in our historical Georgian Suites, and have welcomed 350 guests to our beautiful Moorpark Ballroom. If you’re planning a civil ceremony there are several beautiful indoor spaces, and when the sun shines, we offer wedding couples our brand-new outdoor space, The Pavilion, set in our enchanting 18th-century walled garden.
THE WEDDING FEAST!
After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations!
County Arms Head Executive Chef Gerry O Riordan is an old romantic at heart! Gerry really enjoys working with our couples to design bespoke wedding menus, with a focus on local, seasonal produce wherever possible. From canapés and finger food, to lavish wedding banquets and our much-loved After’s Buffet, at the County Arms great food is at the very heart of our classic country hospitality experience.
EXTENDING THE CELEBRATIONS!
No one looks back on their life and remembers the nights they had plenty of sleep!
The night before your wedding can be a wonderful opportunity to catch up with early arrivals and close family and friends. Join them for a delicious meal in Hackett’s Eatery or choose to have a special dinner served in one of our exclusive private dining spaces.
Why rush off the following day! It’s rare to have all those we love gathered in one place, so keep the fun and chats going with an informal ‘day after’ BBQ on our Terrace. Pop into your comfiest lounge gear and re-live the funniest moments of the big day with your best friends, while feasting on super tasty BBQ platters and pitchers of mimosas or Bloody Marys!
SLEEPING OVER!
O bed! O bed! Delicious bed! That heaven upon earth to the weary head.
As our honoured guests, we guarantee our wedding couples the very best room in the house. We have a choice of two Bridal Suites, both are stunning Georgian Heritage Suites, with classic four-poster beds, separate reception rooms, big bathrooms, all the in-room amenities you could need, and fabulous views over the Walled Gardens.
We have spent the last two years renovating and refurbishing much of the County Arms and are now delighted to be able to offer the bridal party and wedding guests some of the best contemporary rooms and luxury suites in Offaly, to relax, refresh, and sleep. We will offer a reduced overnight rate to all your wedding guests and have rooms to suit all tastes, needs, and budgets, including several accessible rooms.
PRICING YOUR WEDDING!
At the County Arms, no two weddings are ever the same – and neither are their budgets. Our wedding celebrations start from €125 per person (minimum price varies according to day of the week and season), but every couple is unique, and we’ll tailor your pricing based on your vision, your menu choices, and the style of celebration you have in mind. Whether it’s a romantic heritage-style gathering or a black-tie banquet, we’ll work with you to create a bespoke wedding package that reflects your priorities and delivers exceptional value – without compromising on the magic.
You can visit our FAQ page for more information. Alternatively, contact us directly through this form, by email at weddings@countyarms.ie or call 057 912 0791 - whichever suits you best.
