29/10/2025: We had the most astonishing wedding at the Listowel Arms Hotel on the 2nd of August, and I genuinely couldn’t recommend it highly enough. From the moment we met Patrice, the wedding coordinator, we knew we were in safe hands. We first met her in the hotel itself, then again at a wedding fair in Dublin, where her warmth and professionalism really stood out. The team were so kind, gave us every bit of information we needed, and from that moment, everything just felt effortless.
Patrice and her team handled every detail of our wedding from start to finish. They took over the planning and coordination so smoothly that we could truly relax and enjoy the build-up. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and everything ran seamlessly on the day.
We travelled down from Dublin with 150 guests, and both the hotel and the town of Listowel embraced us completely. The town had everything our guests needed… from cafés and restaurants to lively pubs like John B. Keane’s, where we gathered the night before the wedding for an unforgettable evening.
Our ceremony took place across the road at St. John’s Theatre, and when we had specific requests about decorations and seating, Patrice went above and beyond to make it perfect. She personally dressed the venue, creating the most intimate and beautiful setting imaginable.
The ballroom was set up beautifully by the staff, elegant, welcoming, and full of atmosphere. You’d be amazed how many people it can comfortably cater for. What’s so special about the Listowel Arms is that you truly get to use the entire hotel… the ballroom, the bar, the front terrace, and the back patio overlooking the river and racecourse. Guests could drift between spaces, and it created a warm, social flow that made the day feel natural and alive.
And the food… outstanding. The fillet steak was enormous and perfectly cooked, the butternut squash soup, the chicken vol au vant and pork belly were outrageously tasty. We received amazing feedback from our guests, that the food was incredible and generous. We were also given real flexibility with the menu… multiple options per course, tailored exactly to our preferences. The wine was lovely, and drinks were very reasonably priced.
One of the hotel’s biggest charms is its rooms…each one is unique, full of character and individuality. It’s a family-run hotel, and that warmth shines through in every detail. The staff take genuine care to ensure every guest feels looked after, and that personal touch makes all the difference.
While the hotel comfortably accommodated an a lot of our guests, there’s also plenty of additional accommodation throughout the town, all within walking distance… so for bigger weddings, there is capacity for everyone. The hotel will happily share local suggestions.
The next morning, we enjoyed a fantastic Irish breakfast, and even for our second day, the hotel were well able to look after everyone’s lunch before we continued our celebrations in McCarthy’s, Finuge. The hotel were still as accommodating as ever when we returned late, for those who mean no end to their evening.
Listowel is only 15 minutes from Ballybunion Beach, a great beach for a swim, and Ballybunion Golf Club… one of the best courses in the world. Many golfers stay in larger towns thinking Ballybunion doesn’t have high-quality accommodation nearby, but the Listowel Arms is a great base.
In terms of value for money, nowhere else compared. We’d visited venues all across Ireland, but none had the warmth, intimacy, or genuine hospitality we found here. What’s so special about the Listowel Arms is how the team make you feel. They manage to look after you with incredible attention while still extending their trademark Kerry welcome to other guests… a true reflection of their experience.
If you want a wedding full of charm, heart, and character… and don’t want to get lost in the commerciality of hotels… this is your venue!
To Patrice and the entire team at the Listowel Arms Hotel, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us the most magical wedding weekend imaginable!
07/10/2025: They let Zoe in, albeit in their covered outside area. You can see the racecourse from there. Its a cosy, quaint sort of place with great friendly service. We all enjoyed our meals. Looked as so they had plenty of rooms to dine in or have a drink or two. I suspect that the accommodation is great too. Overall it seemed to be an olde world charming place although we did not stay there.
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