Ireland Travel Forum

Hi... my partner and I are looking to have our commitment ceremony in Ireland in February/March 2004. Neither of us have been there and we're having some trouble getting started with finding the perfect spot for us.

We're hoping to have a castle (or at least idyllic) setting... somewhere able to host at least 12 people for a weekend. And somewhere that won't object to two men getting married on their property.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

Congratulations!! Hope all goes well with you and your chosen partner :o)

Oh Congrats! I wish you the very happiest that life can give!
xxo

Absolutely right on the election of the gay bishop here in the US - there was a huge uproar and it threatened to "split" the church.
I agree - Scandanavia might be a better bet b/c of the openness, or maybe Holland?

Germany is another choice to consider.

i don't know about Ireland why did you choose this country? but Germany is open to such ceremony. My partner and i married there early this year. i wish you great joy and success, together forever ;-)

Jyan :-)

Hey Grisha! :o)
Nice to see you here friend. Hope all is well with you and Sasha :o)

it was "requested" i respond :-)

Hi yes I agree , in Canada it has been legal for gay marriages since June 13 2003 I believe , my suggestion is to maybe have your commitment ceremony here in Canada , but that is of course for you to decide, I wish you well with whatever you decide an I hope there will be much happiness for you and your partner.
Hans

CONGRATULATIONS! Sorry, I cannot be of more help with regards to your plans.

I think you may have difficulties....but i do know of a gay wedding that happened here not so long ago...actually it was a transvestite and his lover. Anyway its not impossible but it is difficult.

I really gotta object to the tenor of the responses to this question - and in particular to Palo Verde who says

"I also think that Ireland would be tough, even if it is a private place, the population is 99% catholic and would nor *openly* condone this kind of ceremony - child molesters always welcome to exile."

What the hell is that about ? It is both ill-informed and offensive on many levels. He has a quote on his home page that says "I took an IQ test and the results were negative." You said it baby.

Back to the original question - I can think of lots of places that would be delighted to have your commitment ceremony. One that springs to mind is in a little village called Glandore in West Cork. It is an old Victorian rectory perched on the side of a dramatic harbour. It is now a restauurant with rooms. I'd be quite happy to give them a ring if you like and I will print the exact response here. Let me know.

Why don't you get involved with a local web site for the gay folks in Dublin. It's not like no one is gay in Ireland! Hell, who eles would own a bed and breakfasts castle style, then a nice gay couple.

Each year in Belfast we have a gay pride parade and its a pretty big party....so there are loads of people who can help you out.

OK, guys, thanks so much for all the responses... It isn't important to us that the wedding be "official" or "legal." As far as Ireland being Catholic, that's one of the big reasons for going -- we're Catholic ourselves. We could go to Canada easily enough but there's a long waiting list for anything official... besides, we've always wanted to go to Ireland.

Donalh -- if you've got more info about that place in West Cork, that would be terrific. :)

Hope it all works out well for you both :o)

Ok Palo - Peace ?

Did a search for a website on the Rectory in Glandore and (reassuringly !!) they have none - a few reports though - check them out. I will ring them later today and feel the pulse (so to speak).

BTW there is an amazing pre-christian stone circle nearby called Drombeg stone circle. This is one of these remarkable astronomically aligned circles (like Stonehenge) where, on the shortest day of the year, the light of the setting sun shines through the 'door' and through the centre of the circle. A beautifully spiritual and celtic spot, it is even more remarkable when you consider it was in existence 1000 years before the pyramids. That makes my head spin.

What about the commitment ceremony in the centre of the stone circle and then all back to the rectory for a party (stopping for a few pints in the Glandore inn en-route)?

Just realised I am starting to sound like "Fronck" in the Wedding Planner !!

If you're bringing everyone you need (I haven't a clue who officiates at a gay 'committment' ceremony) then you can book a function room in just about any castle-type hotel in the country and no one will give a damn what who you are. It's just an excuse for a party after all, and you won't find any objectors to that here!

I honestly wonder about some peoples' perceptions of Ireland! It seems they either have us down as Enya-worshipping robed druidic types or bible thumping rabid clerics. Even calling Ireland a catholic country these days is pushing it a bit!

Gosh that sounds cool! Wish you all the best and a fabulous bash. Cheers

Check this out - this is the stone circle I was on about..

http://www.irishphotos.com/pic7.html

Firstly Congratulations to ye both!!

If your looking for a castle to host your reception, you should look into Dormoland Castle in Co. Clare.

As far as I know your marriage would not be recongnised in Ireland. I am not sure where you would be able to have the commitment ceremony here or who would even carry out the cermony.
( I remember a few years ago a gay friend of mine talking of going to the States to get married as it is impossible to do so in Ireland)

Sarah

Yeah ....Dromoland is an amazing place (very close to Ennis BTW) even if it is on the pricey side.

Incidentally - just to tidy up the loose ends of my previous posts, I rang the Rectory in Glandore re. the apres wedding party. Spoke to a 'mature' country lady called Theresa who owns the Rectory and she couldn't have been nicer. As it happens the Rectory is closed for the winter so it is not a runner but when I explained the situation, after a brief hesitation, she said "look, any mother who has had their own kids has seen it all, as long as they love each other I would be delighted to do their wedding". I thought that was great.

Dromoland Castle is definatly a bit on the pricey side. Seems to be a place for the rich and famous, but you wouldn't be able to forget it in a hurry, that's for sure!!

My partner and I have traveled around Ireland quite a bit. If you're looking for idyllic settings, they're around every corner. We stayed in a beautiful gay-owned B&B near Waterford, complete with a castle ruin on its grounds. Do a search for the Coachhouse B&B at Butlerstown Castle. Desmond is the very nice owner; maybe he can give you some advice. I do think you can pull this off with a little creativity!

The answer to all your problems - we look after a range of irish castles several of which would welcome a gay wedding. Check out http://www.whynotireland.com and click on the weddings link or see http://www.tourismresources.ie/cht/type.html Regards John

I've been to Ireland several times and while I've never asked they don't seem to me to be too wide open to that. I could be totally wrong, but I think your best bet would be in the North as the South is predomininately Catholic.

There is an absolutley beautiful castle along the Coast road called Dunluce.....it's really just the remains of a castle on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It's part of the parks system there so I don't know that they could help you, but it's worth a shot....

Congratulations, and if you don't have any luck there....you can always come to Canada and get married !!!