Waterford Castle can host company dinners, private receptions and exclusive-use weddings of up to 120 guests on its own private island in the River Suir, ten minutes from Waterford City in south-east Ireland. The resort combines a 16th-century castle with 19 bedrooms, 45 self-catering lodges and an 18-hole golf course.
Seminars and company events
The official site lists corporate functions among the events its private dining rooms can serve, with menus written for each occasion. The largest space is the Munster Dining Room, which takes up to 100 guests for private dining. The Leinster Dining Room and the Conservatory each seat up to 24 guests, which suits a board dinner, a client lunch or a small leadership retreat. The site does not describe a conference room or give meeting equipment, so ask the team what can be arranged for presentations.
The island setting is the main argument for a company group. Once the ferry has crossed, the group is on a 310-acre estate with no through traffic, and the castle, the lodges and the golf clubhouse are within a short walk or drive of each other. The resort also takes golf societies, which makes a day on the course a possible part of a team programme.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are sold on an exclusive-use basis. The castle is closed to other guests and all 19 bedrooms go to the wedding party. The maximum is 120 guests. A wedding coordinator handles planning, and the resort offers packages and a downloadable brochure.
Civil ceremonies can be held seven days a week. Couples can marry in the entrance hall of the castle, in front of the open fireplace, or outdoors in the grounds. The same options apply to civil partnerships, vow renewals, commitment ceremonies and wedding blessings.
Rooms and capacities
Private dining is the core of the event offer. The Munster Dining Room holds up to 100 people. The Leinster Dining Room and the Conservatory hold up to 24 each. For exclusive-use events the whole castle, including its entrance hall and grounds, becomes the venue, up to the 120-guest maximum stated for weddings.
Accommodation
The castle has 19 bedrooms and suites with traditional fabrics and individual furnishings. The resort adds 45 self-catering lodges with three or four bedrooms each, which the site recommends for golfing parties, groups and families. Wedding guests have used the lodges to extend the stay over a full weekend.
Catering
The Munster Room Restaurant holds 2 AA Rosettes and serves traditional and contemporary Irish cooking. Private events are served with individually tailored menus. Afternoon tea, the Fitzgerald Bar and the Kings Channel Clubhouse give the group other places to eat and drink during a stay.
History and setting
The castle stands on the site of a Norman keep built by the Fitzgerald family, who owned the island for about 800 years. The central tower dates from the 14th century and was enlarged in 1849 and 1875. The east and west wings were added in 1895. The island lies on an estuary of the River Suir, one mile downriver from Waterford City.
Getting there
A private car ferry links the mainland to the island in about two minutes. It leaves every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and runs on demand overnight. The ferry is covered by the resort facilities fee. Waterford City centre is ten minutes away, and Dublin Airport is about 90 minutes by road. Rail and bus services are a few minutes from the ferry landing.
