Simon O'Neill - Ciaran O'Neill Photography - Wedding Photography Northern Ireland

Bellingham Castle Wedding Photography by Ciaran O'Neill Photography

Bellingham Castle Weddings

Another of our favourites, nestled in the medieval village of Castlebellingham in County Louth along Ireland’s Ancient East, Bellingham Castle is an elegant and spacious 17th Century authentic Irish Castle available for exclusive hire, to allow you become King or Queen of your very own castle for a truly memorable experience.

Bellingham Castle is the centrepiece of a 17-acre estate that includes a weir and man-made river island which we love to use to create the most fabulous images, memories to last a lifetime. This opulent 17th Century Irish castle is the perfect backdrop for the most amazing wedding photographs.

Inside is just as stunning. There are a host of rooms for your guests to wander through and more importantly, for photo opportunities. There are several to choose from but my personal favourite is the tiny little alcove hidden beside the Buttery Kitchen – you’ll know it when you see it!

Continue reading for our lowdown on Bellingham Castle Weddings…

Bride & groom walk through foliage with Bellingham Castle behind them

The Grounds & Outdoor Opportunities

Where do you start? Opulent gardens? Check. River with waterfall? Check. An antique bridge leading to an island with the Castle as a backdrop? Check! A short walk from the front of the Castle will take you to a man made island. Within 15 minutes you will access to enough photos to fill two wedding albums! If the weather is volatile…we will grab umbrellas and use the arch and trees as cover. Outdoor wedding opportunities like this are not to be missed.

Bridal pose for a pic on the bridge

Bridesmaids and Bride pose for a photo with Bellingham Castle in the background

The castle provides a stunning backdrop for photos

The castle's Irish wolf hound walks around the castle

In keeping with the castle traditions - an Irish Wolf Hound is on hand to welcome you to the Castle

Another lovely part of the garden is to the rear of the Castle (walk out of the bar and you are there). Not only can it hold outdoor civil ceremonies…this is the perfect place for outdoor family photos. Short distance for family members to walk, plus there is enough shelter from harsh sunlight and wind to keep eyes and hair in place respectively 🙂

A bride and groom enjoy a joke whilst standing on a bridge

The sun sets on our bride and groom as they share an intimate moment between each other

A winter sunset at the Castle...amazing

"This opulent 17th Century Irish castle is the perfect backdrop for the most amazing wedding photographs."

— Ciaran O'Neill Photography

The Castle Interior

Each room in the castle has been given careful and considerate attention and as a result there is no nook or cranny that wouldn’t provide a stunning photo opportunity. Whilst your guests enjoy the drinks and canopies in the reception areas, we can use the library or the bridal suite for some interior photos.

"There are a host of rooms for your guests to wander through and more importantly, for photo opportunities"

— Ciaran O'Neill Photography

Nighttime

When the sunsets, the castle comes alive. The function room is roomy and intimate at the same time. At winter, the festive lights add an extra element to the Castle.

by Simon O'Neill

Cow Alert - herd monitoring from IceRobotics

Cow Alert System

A recent shoot detailing the installation of the CowAlert cow monitoring system in a local diary farm

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by Simon O'Neill

A 1 year old baby laughing at the lens - January 2023 Portrait Highlight - Portrait Photogrsphers Northern Ireland - Ciaran O'Neill Photography

January 2023 Portrait Highlights

Happy New Year!

It’s that time of the year again, new years resolutions, cutting back, staying in and generally just clinging on trying to get through the final embers of Winter! For the studio, it can be a lovely rest bite from the madness of Christmas weddings. This January was no different, we had the lovely gift of celebrating babies 1st year on this planet. Nothing lifts the January blues like being involved in family portraits! 🙂

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by Simon O'Neill

Getting Married in Northern Ireland Photoshoot

Getting Married in Northern Ireland photoshoot

A stylish black and white photoshoot for Getting Married in Northern Ireland Bridal Magazine in Brownlow House..

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by Simon O'Neill

December 2022 Portrait Highlights

Dickie-Bows are back!

As Christmas nears, traditionally the studio turns into a haven for the month as families rejoin to celebrate over the festive period. This December was no different, we had an amazing family join us from County Cavan and two local entrepreneurs in for commercial headshots. In addition to these, we were fortunate to capture precious newborn images and celebrate first birthdays. Lastly, we bore witness to a returning family – this year with another daughter married – having tied the knot in New York during Covid. Special times…captured forever.