Garryvoe Hotel unveils new bridal suite

“WE are very proud that a small hotel can not only survive but develop,” said Stephen Belton, managing director of the Garryvoe Hotel.

He was speaking at the launch of their new bridal suite, themed ‘Moments by the Sea’.

“There has been a hotel on this site since 1910. The hotel has been hosting weddings for more than 50 years.” 

The award-winning hotel may have changed over the years but the view of the meandering beach and iconic Ballycotton Bay guarded by the imposing lighthouse has never changed.

“We continue to keep inventing ourselves,” says Mr Belton..

“And getting married is the biggest thing in your life and we don’t ever take that for granted. We do your big day your way, pulling out all the stops.”

Digital creator and Dancing with the Stars Miriam Mullins, like generations of local families, worked at the hotel.

“I loved it,” said Miriam. “I worked here for eight years when I was 16 and in secondary school. I have great memories of the fabulous weddings and the customers.

“The cráic with the locals was always good. And I learned so much here. After finishing college, I took a year out and worked in Florida as a hotel manager in a country club there for six months. When Covid hit I came home and began making Tik-Tok videos.

“I love the traditional vibe of the hotel,” says Miriam, who was impressed with the new split-level bridal suite, spread over two floors with a panoramic view.

“I’d like a local church wedding and if I have the reception at the hotel, I might get a discount!”

“The hotel has soul and personality,” added Mr Belton, who took over the family-owned hotel in 2000 when it was a 17-room two-star hotel.

In Ireland, there are typically 20,000 weddings a year. The Irish Hotels Federation recently stated that the wedding industry is worth €1.5bn to the economy.

“Trends for weddings continue to change and we keep up with the current trend raising our game to meet the expectations of the most important day in your life.

“Our team here have a passion for what they do. There are 135 people employed here. We are all part of the community, and we continue to support local, and invest in local,” concluded Mr Belton.