Markree Castle Wedding: Sinéad and Ryan’s Summer Castle Wedding in Sligo
Markree Castle wedding film – Sinéad & Ryan, Collooney, Co. Sligo
A summer wedding at Markree Castle, Co. Sligo
Sinéad and Ryan were married at Markree Castle in Collooney, Co. Sligo, on 12 July, under blue skies and bright summer sunshine. With a ceremony on the terrace above the formal gardens, bubbles with the girls in the morning and a dinner in one of the most ornate rooms in the west of Ireland, it was a castle wedding full of style and laughter.
As their wedding videographer, I spent the whole day with them at the castle. Here is a look at their Markree Castle wedding – and a few ideas if you are planning your own.
About Markree Castle
Markree Castle has been home to the Cooper family since 1663, when the castle and its lands were granted to Cornet Edward Cooper, and the castle was remodelled in the early 1800s with work by the architect Francis Johnston. Today it is a castle hotel on a 300-acre estate, partly moated by the River Unshin, with terraced formal gardens, a fountain, bronze heron statues on the lawns and a grand, gilded dining room – a short drive from Sligo town.
Getting ready
The morning started with the details: a hand-drawn invitation, a pearl clutch and pearl-studded shoes, laid out on the old stone. Sinéad and her bridesmaids, in matching white and black feather-trimmed pyjamas, raised a glass under a leafy arch in the garden, while Dee Conroy styled Sinéad's sleek low bun and Selina Hallinan looked after her make-up. Ryan, in a grey velvet tuxedo jacket and bow tie, took a quiet moment by the window, and Sinéad shared a happy, emotional moment with her mum before the ceremony.
An outdoor ceremony on the castle terrace
The ceremony took place outdoors on the terrace overlooking the formal gardens, with white flowers by The Flower Shed lining the aisle and the Glas Quartet playing for the guests. Celebrant Lee Gallagher led a warm, personal ceremony, and Sinéad, in a sleek sleeveless satin gown by Alexandra Greco with a petal-trimmed veil, held Ryan's hands as they said their vows in the sunshine. When they were pronounced married, the two of them threw their arms in the air as their family and friends cheered.
Portraits in the gardens and dinner at the castle
After the ceremony we took Sinéad and Ryan around the grounds – along the paths in front of the castle, by the heron statues and onto a white iron bench on the lawn – before they made their entrance into the gilded dining room, with its chandeliers, candlesticks and gold mirrors, to cheers from their guests. Then Spring Break took over and the party went on into the night.
Planning a Markree Castle wedding? A few tips
Take the ceremony outside. The terrace above the formal gardens is one of the most beautiful ceremony spots in Ireland on a sunny day – just keep the indoor option ready in case of rain.
Leave time for the grounds. The gardens, the heron statues, the fountain and the castle walls all make beautiful backdrops, so plan 30–40 minutes for portraits.
Make an entrance. The gilded dining room at Markree is made for a big entrance – it looks incredible on film.
Start the day with your people. Matching pyjamas and a glass of bubbles in the garden with your bridesmaids are some of the moments couples love most in their film.
Looking for more castle weddings? See Deanna and Jack at Kilkea Castle, Reiltin and Caomhan at Kilronan Castle, another castle wedding in the west, and Sarah and Patrick at Waterford Castle. You can also watch more of my wedding films or see my wedding packages.
Wedding suppliers
Venue: Markree Castle, Collooney, Co. Sligo
Videography: Michael Black Wedding
Photography: David Frain
Celebrant: Lee Gallagher
Flowers: The Flower Shed
Dress: Alexandra Greco
Hair: Dee Conroy
Make-up: Selina Hallinan
Ceremony music: Glas Quartet
Band: Spring Break
Planning a Markree Castle wedding of your own? I would love to hear about your plans – get in touch and let's chat over Zoom.