Barberstown Castle Wedding: Eimear and Pauraic’s Colourful Castle Wedding in Kildare

Barberstown Castle wedding film – Eimear & Pauraic, Straffan, Co. Kildare

A Barberstown Castle wedding in Co. Kildare

Eimear and Pauraic celebrated their wedding at Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co. Kildare – a castle hotel set in 20 acres of gardens, around 25 minutes from Dublin city centre. Their ceremony and celebrations all took place at the castle, with colourful flowers, a big crowd of family and friends and a lot of laughter from start to finish.

As their wedding videographer, I spent the day with them from the first touches of make-up to the party in the evening. Here is a look at their Barberstown Castle wedding – and a few ideas if you are planning your own.

About Barberstown Castle

The oldest part of Barberstown Castle, the medieval Castle Keep, dates back to around 1288, and the house grew over the centuries, with the last wing added in the 1830s. Eric Clapton owned the castle for several years from 1979, and today it is a four-star castle hotel with a 16th-century Banquet Hall that can host up to 280 guests, gardens with a well-known weeping willow, and a tree-lined avenue that is perfect for portraits.

Getting ready

Eimear got ready in one of the castle's elegant rooms, with tall windows and soft natural light. Kate Harmon did her make-up and Amanda Doogue styled her hair into a soft, textured updo, finished with pearl drop earrings. Her sleek, minimal gown from Sharon Hoey in Dublin and a bouquet of peach roses, anemones and soft blue flowers set the tone for the day. Meanwhile, Pauraic waited in his black velvet tuxedo jacket against the old stone walls of the castle.

The ceremony in the Banquet Hall

Eimear and Pauraic were married in the Banquet Hall at Barberstown Castle, under iron chandeliers and garlands of greenery. Eimear walked down the red carpet with her dad, past rows of gold chairs decorated with colourful flowers and ribbons, while their guests stood and smiled. The ceremony was full of happy moments – and a framed photograph on the signing table kept a loved one close throughout the day.

Portraits on the avenue and a party in the Banquet Hall

After the ceremony we took Eimear and Pauraic out to the tree-lined avenue and the gardens. Even with bare branches, the long rows of trees and the festoon lights made a striking, cinematic setting, and a glass of bubbles along the way kept the mood relaxed. Back in the Banquet Hall, guests were on their feet clapping as the couple made their entrance for dinner, and the celebrations only got louder from there, with After Dark keeping the night going.

Planning a Barberstown Castle wedding? A few tips

Use the avenue for portraits. The tree-lined avenue at Barberstown is beautiful in every season – in winter and early spring the bare branches look striking, especially in black and white.

Choose bold, colourful flowers. Against the castle's stone walls and the dark wood of the Banquet Hall, bright flowers like Eimear's peach roses and anemones really stand out on film.

Keep a place for loved ones. A framed photo on the signing table is a simple, gentle way to remember those who can't be with you on the day.

Make a big entrance. The Banquet Hall is made for an atmospheric entrance – ask your guests to stand and cheer as you walk in for dinner.

Looking for more castle weddings? See Deanna and Jack at Kilkea Castle, also in Co. Kildare, Peris and Trevor at Darver Castle and Marisa and Paul at Luttrellstown Castle. You can also watch more of my wedding films or see my wedding packages.

Wedding suppliers

Venue: Barberstown Castle, Straffan, Co. Kildare

Wedding coordinator: Sinead at Barberstown Castle

Videography: Michael Black Wedding

Bridal dress: Sharon Hoey, Dublin

Make-up: Kate Harmon

Hair: Amanda Doogue

Music: After Dark

Planning a Barberstown Castle wedding of your own? I would love to hear about your plans – get in touch and let's chat over Zoom.