Gloster House, Borris House or Kilkea Castle. Which One is Right for You?

I've photographed weddings at all three, in every season and every kind of weather, and I'm asked constantly which one I'd choose. The honest answer is it depends entirely on the couple. But here's what I've noticed after years of watching light move through these places and people move through their day.

Gloster House

Gloster is the one that makes photographers fall a little bit in love. The symmetry of the facade, the way evening light rolls across the lawn and hits the pale stone — it's genuinely one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever worked in.

Morning prep is calm here. The upstairs rooms are bright and airy, and the chapel sits quietly on the grounds, filling with the kind of soft diffused light that needs nothing added to it. Couples who get married at Gloster tend to have an ease about them that I think the house draws out.

If you're planning a summer wedding, stay outside as long as you can in the evening. The golden hour portraits here are the ones that end up framed.

Travel time from Dublin: around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Borris House

Borris has something harder to name. It feels lived in, in the best possible way — Georgian rooms with real warmth to them, ancient oaks, stone walls that have been standing long before anyone thought to photograph a wedding in front of them.

The light through the tall sash windows is directional and beautiful, especially in the morning. Group photos work naturally in the courtyard, and if the weather turns (this is Ireland), the interiors give you space to work without it ever feeling like a consolation prize.

I love photographing here in the evening. The mix of candlelight and that old-world atmosphere gives everything a quiet, cinematic quality. It's a place that suits couples who want something warm and unhurried.

Travel time from Dublin: around 1 hour 45 minutes.

Kilkea Castle

Kilkea is the most dramatic of the three. Stone towers, ivy, a river, an archway — and somehow it manages to feel genuinely welcoming rather than overwhelming. The modern interiors sit comfortably alongside the 12th century bones of the place.

The grounds give you real variety: the stone bridge, the long drive, the archway that frames portraits without you having to do anything clever with them. I've had couples here in heavy rain who still got extraordinary photos, which is worth knowing.

The night portraits are something special. The castle facade lights up softly after dark and the bridge gives you depth and atmosphere that you simply can't manufacture anywhere else.

Travel time from Dublin: around 1 hour 10 minutes.

How to Choose

If you want classic beauty and balance, Gloster is hard to beat. If you want warmth and a sense of history that doesn't feel stagey, Borris is the one. If you want drama and atmosphere — and portraits that look like they belong in a film — choose Kilkea.

All three photograph beautifully. What matters more than the venue is whether it feels like yours. If you'd like to see how any of these days actually unfold, you're welcome to browse my featured weddings, have a look at my packages, or get in touch about your date.

A Few Questions I'm Often Asked

Is the indoor light difficult in older houses like these? Never. The windows in all three are generous and the natural light is beautiful throughout the day. I'll always know in advance where the light falls and plan accordingly.

Where do group photos work best? At Gloster, the front steps or back gardens. At Borris, the courtyard. At Kilkea, the stone archway — it's perfect for larger groups and gives you real depth in the frame.

Can you do night portraits at Kilkea? Yes, and I'd always encourage it. The castle glows beautifully after dark and the bridge gives you something you won't find at most venues.