Arrivals at swish Breaffy House Hotel in Mayo come one of two ways, either they take the stately 3½-minute drive along its parkland driveway, or they come by helicopter. The number of happy couples choosing to arrive for their wedding this way has quite literally taken off.
It was a difficult time, recalls general manager Wilson Bird, and it put at risk the jobs of 140 staff, most of them born and bred in the locale. The current, much happier, chapter of the 19th century property’s story began when a group of local business people came together to acquire it. As well as a collective sigh of relief from staff and their families, the move brought with it much-needed capital investment.Over the past five years, the 19th century Victorian manor has undergone a transformative refurbishment programme to put it back on the map as one of the country’s foremost luxury hotels.
Indeed many of them choose to exclusively book Breaffy, allowing them take over all bedrooms in the hotel, and includes a fireworks display, helicopter ride, wedding band and a wedding banquet for 200 people. The wine cellar, originally home to the old Gun room back in the early 19th century, is one of the property’s unique selling points where popular events such as the resort’s wine and food pairing nights, can be enjoyed by guests as part of a package.
That allows parents to rise and breakfast at their leisure, ready for a day of fun and adventure ahead, enjoying all that this beautiful part of Mayo has to offer.