Not a bleak venue; Belleek Castle....

Situated amongst in acres of woodland & forestry, Belleek Castle is close by the banks of the River Moy just outside Ballina, Co Mayo. Off the main road you enter through an ancient gateway and woodland drive – formerly the Knox-Gore Family home and the ancestral home of the Earl of Arran. So it is imposing!

Belleek Castle Hotel been extensively refurbished but it oozes a well lit quirky medieval character with suits of armour, heavy tables and chandeliers adorning the corridors and ceilings.

Belleek Castle combines old world elegance with bright and spacious bedrooms not the gloomy and dungeony feel you often find in smaller castles. The rooms have four-poster beds and full en-suite facilities, extravagantly plumbed with both types of water – hot and cold! The views out over the grounds are spectacular and there are many nearby waterside and woodland walks.

Worth seeing is the "Armada Bar" with a recreation of a Captains Ward Room from a galleon in the Spanish Armada. It is partly constructed from oak balks salvaged from the galleons of the ill fated "Castile Squadron" wrecked on the Atlantic Coast of Co. Mayo four centuries ago.

What is the food like? It is lovely. Indeed I can exclusively reveal that it is so good the Chef held his own wedding there... and it really is family style as he married the sous-chef!

The banqueting room is worth seeing! In full medieval castle style it has its' own bar area, and even a blacksmiths forge doorway making it perfect for the discerning engaged couple seeking a real castle for their wedding… and for the big day they light ALL the candles!