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A beautiful hunting lodge located in the heart of the Cavan countryside, a triangle of Ireland people don’t visit enough. In its 400 years of history, there has only been three owners and I am very lucky to call myself the fourth. My intentions were never a hotel, but rather a “hometel.” It’s a cross between a country house and the efficiencies of a great hotel with a real sense of your own home and your own staff.
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Our Story Welcome to Virginia Park Lodge, an 18th century hunting estate set in 100 acres of beautiful Cavan countryside overlooking Lough Ramor. Truly a unique estate and former home of Lord Headfort and his actress wife Rosie Boote who later became the Marchioness of Headfort. As one of the most controversial love affairs of the past century, they defied all odds and retreated to the solace of Virginia Park Lodge. Here they married and raised their loving family, here they fought wars with the other aristocracy about social injustice and held tight whilst the world went to war. Virginia Park Lodge and deer park was their home and playground. Their love still resonates throughout every historic wall, every treasured botanical gift he grew for the Marchioness and we offer it to you to write your own history, memories and story. This hometel caters for weddings, corporate events, sporting weekends and exclusive hires. The property has been brought back into Irish hands by Richard Corrigan. Just 50 minutes from Dublin, this private home can be your personal backdrop for your bespoke event. Richard is one of the most established and well known Irish chefs in the UK and beyond. He has cooked all his life and he is a vehement supporter of British and Irish produce and small independent suppliers and an ambassador for the Slow Food movement. Richard has opened numerous restaurants, gained two Michelin stars, is the author of three cook books, designed the menus for Concorde, has cooked for the Queen twice and was crowned winner of The Great British Menu four consecutive times. Richard owns Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Piccadilly, Corrigan’s Mayfair and Bentley’s Sea Grill at the internationally renowned Harrods of Knightsbridge. Virginia Park Lodge is very special to Richard as this is where he married his blushing bride, Maria, 28 years ago.
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“We offer it to you to write your own history, memories and story.�
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Our dream is to create truly lasting memories for our guests, through exquisite cuisine made with the finest ingredients, beautiful wines and hospitality of an uncompromising standard.
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Weddings Whether you are looking for intimate or extravagant, traditional or unexpected, Virginia Park Lodge is a truly individual place to celebrate the most memorable day of your lives. We offer a dedicated events team to organise all the special details of your wedding. We are happy to design a bespoke menu, compiled using only the finest natural produce, a true reflection of Richard Corrigan’s passion for wild, flavour-rich and unpretentious cooking. The historic house and stunning gardens are exclusively yours to enjoy with your close friends and family amidst the beauty and privacy of the estate. Unique Excellence Set on a hundred acres of private grounds on the banks of Lough Ramor ~ Exclusive pavilion with lakeviews, that can cater for up to 300 guests ~ Our Beautiful 18th Century Marchioness banqueting room can hold a more intimate wedding for anything up to 90 guests ~ Luxury guest house accommodation with the amenities of a modern hotel for up to 100 people ~ Farm fresh organic produce from our own Gooseberry Gardens and Farm ~ An experienced team trained to the highest of standards from our own Mayfair restaurants, taking care of your every wish during your stay
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Wedding Package Our wedding package combines our exquisite cuisine with uncompromising service from start to finish. We welcome you to share your ideas, dreams and preferences with us, so our team can turn your perfect day into a reality. Welcome Reception Seasonal flower arrangements in the Lodge Complementary luxurious bridal suite on your wedding night Drinks Reception Champagne on arrival for the bridal party CanapĂŠs on arrival Tea, coffee and petit fours Wedding Banquet Lake view pavilion Seasonal four course dinner menu Corrigan homemade bread with double churned butter Personalised menus, placecards and table plan Late night fayre Table arrangements Extra touches Personal wedding coordinator Private parking in the estate car park Cake stand & Knife Menu consultation
Package Prices available upon request.
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Little Extras To make your wedding a truly tailor-made affair, we would be happy to assist in procuring any customised items, personal touches, or additional details not covered in our packages. Our attentive team are on hand with a list of our preferred suppliers to ensure your special day reflects all of your wishes. Live music DJ Flower arrangements Wedding cakes Petit fours and wedding favours Dove release Balloon release Themed decorations Photographers Videographers Vintage car hire Wedding make up and hair styling Lake lighting Fireworks Yoga and spa treatments
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Your Setting Strategically planned clumps of exotic trees and winding paths guide you round to unveil amazing architectural and lake vistas. This kind of garden was a rebellion toward the early 18th Century symmetrical gardens that surrounded estates at that time. The deer park walks, with bridges, follies and seemingly undiscovered waterfalls are a stunning reminder of this type of naturalistic garden. Walk along the tranquil park and hear the sounds of silence, laced with the chirping of Cavan’s thriving bird life; it feels unspoilt and unchanged for nearly 300 years and will leave you wondering how, this part of Ireland, has remained such a well hidden and undiscovered secret for so long. The Lodge was built around the idea of self sufficiency, still a very current concept today. Our walled garden, with the assistance of polytunnels, produce enough food to maintain the house and also supply our London restaurants with produce such as vegetables, soft fruits, herbs and spices. Within the grounds expect to find: Pleasure gardens (complete with bandstand) Apple orchards Walled garden bearing muscat grapes Parterre gardens Woodlands and meadows A stable block Explore the gardens and polytunnels to discover the fresh produce used in your meals at the Lodge.
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Lodge Accomodation Altogether the Lodge can hold up to 100 guests. The main house at Virginia Park Lodge has 25 en-suite bedrooms with a capacity for 50 guests. Bective court is a beautifully restored courtyard with 11 self-catering cottages. They sleep between 2-6 guests in each. The cottages are fully furnished with fitted kitchens, bathrooms and modern furnishings. It is required that all the rooms in the house and Bective Court are booked for the night of the wedding. If you are unable to book all the rooms a minimum spend will apply. If your numbers are greater than the number we can sleep, we can provide a list of local hotels, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts for the overflow guests. Accommodation in the bridal Suite for the wedding couple is complimentary. All rooms include: Complimentary Breakfast VOYA organic products (a seaweed beauty product manufacturer based on Ireland’s Atlantic coast) in all bathrooms. Complimentary Tipperary bottled water
Accommodation prices are available upon request and are quoted per person sharing, per night.
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Drinks Reception We work hard on our chosen wines, using numerous suppliers and tasting often. Our selection provides a wide variety of options to suit the most discerning palate. We assist you in perfectly complementing your menu with our varied and specially-chosen wine list, in terms of both quality and value for money, enhancing the dining experience for you and your guests at Virginia Park Lodge.
Richard Corrigan and his team are on hand to give you professional advice when choosing the wine for your event. Our wine list reflects the quality and uniqueness of Virginia Park Lodge. We are passionate about the food we serve and the right wine can enhance a dish to perfection.
We also do cocktails. No frilly umbrellas though, but rather a focus on quality spirits and a restrained hand. We offer plenty of options for your reception drinks from champagne cocktails to jugs of Pimms.
Drinks menu available upon request.
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Menu Our head chef is available to discuss and plan all aspects of the food for the duration of your stay at Virginia Park Lodge. Together you can design a menu and create an individual, personalised culinary feast. We have a wide selection of menu items carefully designed to reflect the very best locally sourced seasonal ingredients. We are proud to support local farmers, food producers and suppliers. We source the best seasonal food insisting on freshness and quality so that your wedding meal will be a memorable experience for you and your guests. The quality of ingredients and the standard of food very much speaks for itself.
SAMPLE WEDDING MENU Headfort Menu Crab, Lobster & Prawn Cocktail *** Chicken & Truffle ConsommĂŠ *** Roast Sirloin of Hereford Beef, Chargrilled Onions, Cep, Salsa Verde Traditional Goose Fat Roasted Potatoes *** Local Strawberries, Lavender, White Chocolate & Honeycomb Ice-Cream
A selection of seasonal farmhouse cheeses are available for all menus at a supplement. Please note that our produce is seasonal and menus are subject to change due to weather, some dishes may contain nuts. All prices are inclusive of VAT. We kindly ask you to select one menu for the entire party, with the exception of any special dietary requirements
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Stay a little longer At Virginia Park Lodge your celebrations can last more than just an afternoon and evening. You, your friends and family can come and experience all the comfort and hospitality that Virginia Park Lodge has to offer. Meet up the night before for a family dinner, or continue your celebrations over an elegant afternoon tea, gourmet buffet or barbecue for you and your guests. Afternoon Tea A Selection of Traditional Finger Sandwiches Raisin & Plain Scones Freshly Baked, served with Clotted Cream A Selection of Handmade Pastries Barbecue Gourmet BBQ on the lawn Menu 1 Chicken & Freshly Picked Vegetable Skewers 100% Locally Sourced Beef Burger Locally Sourced Sausage in a Soft Floured Roll Seasonal Salads & Garnishes Menu 2 Grilled Duck Grilled Beef Steaks Lamb Cutlets Seasonal Salads to include Cous Cous with Roasted Vegetables Home grown Jacket Potatoes Please note that these are sample menus only. Please note that our produce is seasonal and menus are subject to change due to weather, some dishes may contain nuts. All prices are inclusive of VAT.
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Things to do Set amidst 100 acres of stunning grounds and scenery, the grounds of Virginia Park Lodge and deer park are generously divided between forestry with scenic pedestrian walkways. The grounds also boast a nine hole golf course, extensive walks and agricultural land along the banks of the renowned fishing lake of Lough Ramor, in the heart of the picturesque town of Virginia. As a true country sports estate, we can arrange everything from a morning of fishing using the Lodge’s very own boat, to a shooting weekend or even a post-wedding round of golf. Sports & Leisure Activities: Nine hole golf course Boating Fishing Clay pigeon shooting Falconry Walking
Culture & Heritage – Cavan County Museum & Ramor Theatre Bike rides Horse riding National Attractions – Cavan Burren Park & Marble Arch Caves Spa treatments
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FAQ What would you say are the main differences between having a wedding at Virginia Park Lodge compared to a hotel? A hometel or private estate has a very different atmosphere to a standard hotel venue. Children are also very safe to roam. Richard and Maria’s home becomes your own country estate for the weekend to host your wedding party. This means your guests, your taste, your home and your own private affair.
Is the Lodge open for lunch and dinner? No. We are currently open for large bookings, house parties, corporate occasions and weddings only.
Is there a Church of Ireland nearby? Yes, Virginia Church of Ireland is just across the street from the estate.
What is the Booking Confirmation Payment procedure? 10% deposit to be paid upon confirmation of the booking. A further 50% to be paid by 6 months before the wedding date. The remaining 40% to be paid by 1 month before the wedding date.
Can I stay at the Lodge the night before or the day after my event or wedding? Of course, we welcome this. We offer rates for a prewedding day family dinner and also BBQ packages for those wanting to extend their day into a long weekend. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy friends and family in a more informal setting and atmosphere. However time restrictions may apply.
What time does the bar close? This is a private home, with the capabilities of an extended bar licence. The extended bar service is available upon request. Our resident licence is until 2am.
Is there a Catholic Church nearby? St. Patrick’s in Lurgan, St. Mary Immaculate in Virginia and Saint Matthew’s in Stramatt.
Does Richard Corrigan cook and host the parties at the Lodge? Virginia Park Lodge is Richard’s personal estate so he is constantly in the kitchens or gardens, however his demanding filming schedule can take him away at times. Every event is always under his watchful eye, while his experienced team of professionals, most of whom have worked with Richard for over a decade, cater to your every need.
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Do you offer Corkage? As our food is of Michelin star standard we believe in pairing it with an appropriate wine chosen by our staff or sommeliers. Richard Corrigan has chosen a broad selection of wines reflecting various clients requirements and budgets.
May I bring my own alcohol on to the estate? This is a private home and under licensing rules all alcohol consumed must be purchased on site from the Residents’ Bar.
FAQ May I bring my own alcohol on to the estate? This is a private home and under licensing rules all alcohol consumed must be purchased on site from the Residents’ Bar.
Is it possible to check-in earlier or check-out later? It is sometimes possible; however, this depends on availability and cannot be guaranteed. Additional charges may apply.
Do you cater for vegetarians? Yes, we can accommodate vegetarians, allergies and other dietary requirements with advance notice.
What credit and debit cards do you accept? We accept all major credit cards apart from American Express and Dinners Club cards. Cheques are accepted with prior arrangement. Bank transfers and cash work best of course.
We hope to bring our own wedding cake – is there a charge to serve and set up? We can provide you with a dressed table, cake knife and cake stand. We will serve the cake at no charge. If you would like any help with choosing a cake we will provide you with our list of preferred suppliers.
How much parking space is there? There is adequate available space for up to 50 cars.
What are the standard check-in and check-out times? Guests are welcome to check-in from 2:00pm onwards and check-out is at 12:00 am.
Do you have toiletries in the bathrooms? Yes, we supply shower gel, soap, shampoo and conditioner all from VOYA Organic (a seaweed beauty product manufacturer based on Ireland’s Atlantic coast) in all bathrooms. If you need anything extra, please contact reception.
Do you have a mini bar in the rooms? No, we encourage guests to join us in the Resident’s Bar on the ground floor to enjoy a range of wines, cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. All rooms come with complimentary Tipperary bottled water.
Can you cater for disabled guests? Yes, please discuss your requirements with us. Do you have WiFi? There is a complimentary WiFi service throughout the property.
Do you have a pet policy? The Lodge is a pet friendly environment; however please alert us to any pet as we reserve the right to decline, accepting an animal subject to our manager’s discretion.
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Notes
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Notes
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