Description
At Fernhill House Hotel & Estate, located in Clonakilty in the heart of West Cork, everything you need for your wedding day is here in one place, allowing the day to feel relaxed, seamless and genuinely enjoyable from start to finish.
Set along the Wild Atlantic Way, Fernhill offers a destination that your guests can turn into a full experience, with the beauty of West Cork all around you, no matter the time of year. As a year-round venue, each season brings something different, from spring and summer in the gardens to the warmth and atmosphere of autumn and winter celebrations.
From getting ready in the Styling Lounge, to saying your vows outdoors in the Blessing Garden or in The Fernery, through to dinner and dancing in the Bracken Ballroom, each part of the day flows naturally into the next. It means less time worrying about logistics and more time being present for it all.
The Styling Lounge offers a beautiful space to spend the morning with your closest people, complete with dedicated hair and makeup stations and a large breakfast table to gather around. The Fernery provides a bright, elegant setting surrounded by the gardens, while our Blessing Garden creates a natural and relaxed backdrop for outdoor ceremonies, with something in bloom throughout the seasons.
As the day moves into the evening, the Bracken Ballroom becomes the heart of the celebration. Dining at Fernhill is an important part of the experience, with our kitchen focused on locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus that reflect the best of West Cork.
At the end of the night, you can retreat to your wedding suite, with 43 bedrooms available at Fernhill, including newly added luxury rooms in 2025.
Fernhill has been recognised as one of Europe’s leading wedding venues, awarded Best Historic Wedding Venue in Europe 2025, along with Best Country House Wedding Venue and Best Sustainable Wedding Venue in 2026.
A place where the day flows naturally, and you can focus on what really matters, celebrating with the people around you.
Experience
Overview of Fernhill House Hotel & Estate
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Venue Details
Wedding Catering
Pricing for Fernhill House Hotel & Estate
Reviews (16)
- CChris Lynch11/11/2024A special day that was made even more specialA special day that was made even more specialOur daughter had her wedding at Fernhill House, July 24. Throughout our entire stay, everyone from the event organiser, the reception team, the housekeepers, the front of house staff to the night porters, each and every one of them were smiling, friendly and determined to make it the most enjoyable experience possible for us all. No request was too big or too small for them. As for the kitchen team, OMG, everything they produced looked and tasted absolutely fabulous. Many thanks from all of us.Our daughter had her wedding at Fernhill House, July 24. Throughout our entire stay, everyone from the event organiser, the reception team, the housekeepers, the front of house staff to the night porters, each and every one of them were smiling, friendly and determined to make it the most enjoyable experience possible for us all. No request was too big or too small for them. As for the kitchen team, OMG, everything they produced looked and tasted absolutely fabulous. Many thanks from all of us.
- KKaren11/11/2024Wedding of our Dreams!Wedding of our Dreams!We had the wedding beyond our dreams at Fernhill. We will never forget it. Fernhill is the ultimate wedding venue, it really does have it all. Our guests were raving to us all weekend about the day, especially the incredible staff and food which was served. Many guests commented it was the best wedding they have ever attended. Many of our guests traveled from Canada, Belgium, UK and the other side of Ireland to attend and were blown away by Fernhill. We can't wait to visit again soon.We had the wedding beyond our dreams at Fernhill. We will never forget it. Fernhill is the ultimate wedding venue, it really does have it all. Our guests were raving to us all weekend about the day, especially the incredible staff and food which was served. Many guests commented it was the best wedding they have ever attended. Many of our guests traveled from Canada, Belgium, UK and the other side of Ireland to attend and were blown away by Fernhill. We can't wait to visit again soon.
- MMarian11/11/2024Best Wedding Ever!Best Wedding Ever!To say they went above and beyond is an understatement. All of our friends and family were so complimentary on everything, from the wonderful food, stunning surroundings, and the exceptional service provided by every member of staff. Laura who looked after us on the day is outstanding , Sinead and Valda were always so incredibly helpful on reception and Michael the night porter/bar man went above and beyond to provide help, and even gave us a few well sang songs at the end of the night. To say they went above and beyond is an understatement. All of our friends and family were so complimentary on everything, from the wonderful food, stunning surroundings, and the exceptional service provided by every member of staff. Laura who looked after us on the day is outstanding , Sinead and Valda were always so incredibly helpful on reception and Michael the night porter/bar man went above and beyond to provide help, and even gave us a few well sang songs at the end of the night.
- DDanny & Aisling11/11/2024Excellent Wedding VenueExcellent Wedding VenueWe had our wedding reception in Fernhill House Hotel and Gardens in November 2021 and we highly recommend them! Ann Cullinane, their wedding coordinator was so helpful when planning the wedding and on the day of the wedding. The staff at Fernhill were always professional, kind and caring. Service on the day of our wedding was incredible. They have beautiful gardens and we loved the twinkly fairy lights in the ballroom. We had a ball on our wedding day, with thanks to Fernhill House Hotel’s staffWe had our wedding reception in Fernhill House Hotel and Gardens in November 2021 and we highly recommend them! Ann Cullinane, their wedding coordinator was so helpful when planning the wedding and on the day of the wedding. The staff at Fernhill were always professional, kind and caring. Service on the day of our wedding was incredible. They have beautiful gardens and we loved the twinkly fairy lights in the ballroom. We had a ball on our wedding day, with thanks to Fernhill House Hotel’s staff
- LLisa11/11/2024Could not recommend enough!Could not recommend enough!Where do I even begin. We had our wedding in Fernhill May this year. The wedding coordinator Ann is an absolute gem, any question or anything I needed in the run up to the big day was never too big or small. The team at Fernhill could not have done enough for us and on the day of the wedding everything ran so well and we were made to feel completely at ease. The O’Neill family have really created such a special atmosphere at Fernhill and you can see that by the genuine nature of all of the staffWhere do I even begin. We had our wedding in Fernhill May this year. The wedding coordinator Ann is an absolute gem, any question or anything I needed in the run up to the big day was never too big or small. The team at Fernhill could not have done enough for us and on the day of the wedding everything ran so well and we were made to feel completely at ease. The O’Neill family have really created such a special atmosphere at Fernhill and you can see that by the genuine nature of all of the staff
- KKieran11/11/2024PerfectionPerfectionMy son & daughter in law had their wedding reception recently at Fernhill and I have to say of all the weddings I have attended, I have never seen such professionalism, attention to detail, cleanliness or comfort for any wedding reception anywhere. The food could only be described as perfection. I honestly could not find fault anywhere either for the reception or breakfast the following day. Speaking to other guests they were also of the same opinion. A sincere thank you to all the staff.My son & daughter in law had their wedding reception recently at Fernhill and I have to say of all the weddings I have attended, I have never seen such professionalism, attention to detail, cleanliness or comfort for any wedding reception anywhere. The food could only be described as perfection. I honestly could not find fault anywhere either for the reception or breakfast the following day. Speaking to other guests they were also of the same opinion. A sincere thank you to all the staff.
- BBrian11/11/2024Most Wonderful WeddingMost Wonderful WeddingAttended a family wedding on Friday and all I can say is WOW. Hotel is well deserving of all it 'accolades and this five star rating. It is just a wonderful venue with stunning gardens. The food was out of this world and we never met a more friendly, professional, caring team of hotel staff members, their service is second to none. It was just a magical experience. Well done to everyone in Fernhill House Hotel.Attended a family wedding on Friday and all I can say is WOW. Hotel is well deserving of all it 'accolades and this five star rating. It is just a wonderful venue with stunning gardens. The food was out of this world and we never met a more friendly, professional, caring team of hotel staff members, their service is second to none. It was just a magical experience. Well done to everyone in Fernhill House Hotel.
- PPatrick11/11/2024WeddingWeddingI was just after attending a family wedding in this hotel I found the grounds and facilities excellent The food was some of the best I have ever tasted.... Now my main reason for writing this review was to say that every staff member I met down there was absolutely brilliant I could not say enough about them they are a credit to both their families and to the hotel...would definitely recommend this hotel.I was just after attending a family wedding in this hotel I found the grounds and facilities excellent The food was some of the best I have ever tasted.... Now my main reason for writing this review was to say that every staff member I met down there was absolutely brilliant I could not say enough about them they are a credit to both their families and to the hotel...would definitely recommend this hotel.
- CCiara & Damien11/11/2024Amazing Wedding VenueAmazing Wedding VenueFrom start to finish, everything was perfect! The staff, decor, food, drinks reception (the list goes on) was just incredible. I had heard great things about Fernhill before the day and it certainly lived up to if not surpassed all expectations. This hotel is exceptional and has something special that most other hotels don't have. Also the personal service that we received from Ann was second to none, not to mind mentioning being greeted at the front door, by the owner Michael. From start to finish, everything was perfect! The staff, decor, food, drinks reception (the list goes on) was just incredible. I had heard great things about Fernhill before the day and it certainly lived up to if not surpassed all expectations. This hotel is exceptional and has something special that most other hotels don't have. Also the personal service that we received from Ann was second to none, not to mind mentioning being greeted at the front door, by the owner Michael.
- LLaura11/11/2024MOST AMAZING WEDDING DAY !MOST AMAZING WEDDING DAY !From the moment we visited and met with the wonderful most amazing wedding co-ordinator Ann we were sold. Ann made everything from start to finish so easy, enjoyable and stress free as much as possible for us. On the wedding day we had exceptionally hot weather, the staff we quick to provide umbrella's for shelter in the outdoor area where the ceremony took place and also water for all the guests! Such a nice touch. The staff are a credit to the hotel and to the O' Neill family. From the moment we visited and met with the wonderful most amazing wedding co-ordinator Ann we were sold. Ann made everything from start to finish so easy, enjoyable and stress free as much as possible for us. On the wedding day we had exceptionally hot weather, the staff we quick to provide umbrella's for shelter in the outdoor area where the ceremony took place and also water for all the guests! Such a nice touch. The staff are a credit to the hotel and to the O' Neill family.
Location & Contact Details for Fernhill House Hotel & Estate
Is the venue exclusive?
We host one wedding per day. If your guests book all 43 of our bedrooms, the accommodation becomes fully private for your celebration. We may occasionally host a small group meal elsewhere in the hotel, but this never affects the flow or atmosphere of your day.
How many guests can the venue comfortably host?
We can seat up to 300 guests in the Bracken Ballroom. For your ceremony, we can welcome up to 250 guests either outdoors in the Blessing Area or indoors in the Fernery.
What accommodation is available onsite for guests?
We have 43 bedrooms sleeping around 100 guests in total. You’re welcome to reserve all of the rooms or as few as 20, depending on your plans. Room types include twin, triple, family, and adjoining rooms, as well as wheelchair-accessible rooms.
What makes Fernhill feel different from other venues?
Fernhill is a family-run estate with decades of experience hosting weddings. Couples often tell us they feel genuinely cared for from the moment they arrive and that feeling carries through the entire day, from our styling lounge to the residents’ bar at the end of the night.
Where can we hold our ceremony on the estate?
You can exchange your vows outdoors in the Blessing Area, surrounded by the gardens, or indoors in the Fernery, which is nestles in the heart of our gardens.
What can we expect from the wedding meal?
A beautifully prepared four-course meal showcasing local produce, served alongside carefully selected wines.
How does a typical wedding day unfold at Fernhill?
A typical flow looks like this:
2:00pm — Ceremony
3:00–5:00pm — Drinks reception in the Fernery
6:00–8:00pm — Dinner in the Bracken Ballroom
9:00pm onwards — Dancing and evening celebrations
What décor is included, and what can we bring ourselves?
We provide full décor throughout the venue, including centrepieces in the ballroom. You’re also welcome to work with your own décor vendor or bring personal items our team will set everything up on your behalf.
What’s included in your wedding packages?
Packages include a drinks reception with homemade canapés, a four-course meal with wine, evening food, full venue décor, the wedding suite on the night, a PA system and MC for speeches and toasts, printed menus and seating plan with stands, and access to Moposa, our wedding planning software.
What is the usual price range for packages?
Wedding Packages at Fernhill typically range from €95 to €180 per person.
