The Best Elopement locations in Northern Ireland and Ireland * Updated for 2025*
the Best Elopement Locations in Ireland & N. Ireland
Let’s cut to it: Ireland is stacked with unreal locations. From stormy cliff tops to secret waterfalls, ancient ruins to wild sand beaches and famous filming locations— this island has main character energy in every corner.
So, how do you even begin to choose the right spot for your elopement or adventure session? That’s where I come in. I’ve spent years chasing golden light, dodging hailstones, and guiding wildly in-love couples through this place I call home. And after all those sessions, there are a handful of locations I just keep going back to — the ones that make your heart skip, your jaw drop, and your photos look like they belong in a freakin’ movie.
Whether you’re here to elope, mark an anniversary, celebrate your engagement, or just say screw it, let’s go make some magic, these are my top places to do it across Northern Ireland and beyond.
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Northern Ireland
Ireland
Northern Ireland Elopement & Adventure Session Locations
Dunseverick Castle
A total hidden gem just a stone’s throw from the Giant’s Causeway, Dunseverick is a low-key showstopper. Think rugged cliffs, a natural valley, and the kind of ruins that look like they’ve stepped out of a fantasy novel. It’s the perfect place for a first look or a private vow exchange with wild views and no tourist crowds.
Bonus: the cliff-top trail connects right to the Causeway if you fancy turning your elopement into an all-out adventure hike.
Vibe: Quiet, dramatic, cinematic
Best for: First looks, intimate ceremonies, moody weather magic
Kinbane Castle
Kinbane is pure magic with a wild side. Tucked away just outside Ballycastle, this spot delivers it all: castle ruins, a waterfall, a fisherman’s cottage, a hidden cave, and a headland that juts right out into the sea. It’s moody, raw, and full of soul — and yup, the steps back up are no joke (consider it your wedding day CrossFit).
If you’re after variety, privacy, and that windswept drama, Kinbane’s your girl.
Vibe: Wild, windswept, slightly witchy
Best for: Adventurous elopements, vows at sunrise, full-on story vibes
Dunluce Castle
One of the most iconic castle ruins on the Causeway Coast — and for good reason. Dunluce sits right on the cliff’s edge like something out of a legend. It’s dramatic, romantic, and ridiculously photogenic.
What makes it even better? You can book it privately for your ceremony, which means no random tourists photobombing your vows. Come for golden hour or even a stormy day and it delivers every damn time.
Vibe: Epic, dramatic, classic-with-a-twist
Best for: Cliffside ceremonies, vow renewals, post-ceremony portrait magic
The Giants Causeway
Yeah, it’s touristy — but hear me out. If you hit it after hours, this place turns into something straight-up mythical. All those famous basalt columns, crashing waves, and orange-pink sunsets lighting up the sky? Unreal. And if you wander a bit further from the main trail, you’ll find quieter pockets with just as much magic (without the selfie sticks).
It also connects to Dunseverick Castle via the coastal path, making it perfect for adventure-loving couples who want it all.
Vibe: Legendary, moody, otherworldly
Best for: Post-ceremony golden hour, slow strolls, that wow factor
Murlough Bay
If secret spots with sheep and Game of Thrones energy are your thing, Murlough Bay is a must. It's rugged, remote, and dripping in quiet drama. You’ll find winding roads, moody cliff edges, and views that stretch forever.
It’s one of those locations where you pause mid-hike and go, "Is this even real life?"
Vibe: Moody, cinematic, peaceful
Best for: Elopements with just the two of you, GOT fans chasing epic views, slow ceremony moments with sheep as your witnesses
Ballintoy Harbour
Tiny harbour, massive impact. Ballintoy gives serious variety: sea stacks, caves, cliffs, black rock beaches, and even a secret cove or two — all wrapped up in one location. It’s also a key filming site for the Iron Islands in Game of Thrones, which means it’s got serious brooding fantasy vibes.
Wander down to the beach for a different backdrop, or climb up to Elephant Rock for that lost-at-the-edge-of-the-world feel.
Vibe: Coastal, rugged, romantic chaos (in a good way)
Best for: Adventure sessions, engagements, surprise proposals, or golden hour storytelling
Dunlewey / Mount Errigle
If you are up for exploring a little further a field Mount Errigal and the surrounding areas of Dunlewey and Gweedor are phenomenal! The rolling Irish mountainsides meeting beautiful lakes is a view to behold! You’ll need to get your Hiking boots on for this area, but the views and landscape experienced are so worth it!
The Mourne Mountains - The bloody Bridge
If you're after windswept hills and that wild, open-space feeling — the Mournes are where it's at. Less tourist-heavy than you’d think, this place gives you space to breathe and views for miles. Picture earthy tones, rock trails, and cinematic light breaking through cloud cover. Hikers, this one's your dream.
Vibe: Wild, earthy, intimate
Best for: Adventure elopements, mountain lovers, or saying your vows with the wind in your hair and no one else around
Tollymore Forest Park
Tollymore holds a special place in both of our hearts, we each spent summers here as children, we even considered having our own wedding here. Nestled at the base of the Mourne Mountains this Forest Park is magical! There are plenty of trails to follow but If you’re brave enough to follow the trails up to the top you will be rewarded with some pretty magical Landscapes and views in the mountains! click here to see this epic windswept engagement session in Tollymore Forest where we adventured right to the top!
Ireland Elopement Locations
Cliffs of Moher
Go big or go home right!? We couldn’t not mention this epic location in our list! The cliffs of Moher are something else, you really have to see them in person to get the incredible scale and vastness of these cliffs. Sitting on the Wild Atlantic Way in Co. Clare the Cliffs stretch from Hags Head to Doolin with over 8km of cliff Edge to explore. You could pretty much stop of at any point on the cliff walk and get an incredible view but as always our favourites are on the road less traveled! The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland most popular tourist attractions, to beat the tourists we highly recommend planning to visit them off season or during off peak times, you cant beat a good evening sunset session late autumn!
We hope our top list of locations in Ireland & Northern Ireland have inspired you! Planning on adventuring with your love on this beautiful island and getting some rad images too? Hit us up we would love to go exploring with you!
The Wicklow Mountains
