Love in Temple House
Temple House has got the love. I was a bridesmaid this summer at my oldest best friends wedding, we know each other since we were 4 years old so this rite of passage was a very special occasion. The location was Temple House in South Sligo. And what a beautiful part of hidden Sligo, to quote the tourist slogan of the moment ‘Sligo, who knew‘. This is true of Temple House as with so many parts of Sligo.
Situated just outside Ballymote, Co Sligo this great house nestles in a wooded demesne with a long and winding avenue dotted with magnificent trees and sheep scuttling about. It looks out over the old Knights Templars’ castle. A community of Knights Templars established themselves in this castle by the lake in the 12th century – and left their name in perpetuity. Long before that, Sir Perceval earned fame and honour as one of the Knights of King Arthur’s Round Table.
It’s still owned by Roderick and Helena Perceval, whose family have lived there since 1665! The Bridal party was welcomed by them with open arms and by their gorgeous labradors Fudge, Cocoa and Pepper with waggily tails.
For the duration of the wedding weekend the Bride was made feel like-this was her manor house and we were living our own scenes from Downton Abbey.
The interior of the house is still filled with extraordinary objects, a scene of stuffed frogs dancing, an impressive collection of ancestors looking down from their gilded frames, canopied beds and claw-foot baths, family photos of children and weddings- love has been present in this house for centuries. .
Temple House caters for special weddings and is a boutique B&B. A place of great charm which created the atmosphere, theatrical setting and vintage backdrop in keeping with the style of my star-crossed lovers- Sarah & Nick. Congratulations to you my lovely people! An Irish Wedding blessing to see you out.
May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.
May the saddest day of your future
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship
And your hearts joined forever in love.
Your lives are very special,
God has touched you in many ways.
May his blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days.
I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking. All photos and details were taken in Temple House.
Temple House is part of Hidden Ireland.
