Hotels in one of the most scenic parts of the country are losing out on potential business because out of town wedding parties cannot find a church or priests there for their wedding. A number of hotels have claimed prospective brides and grooms want to come to County Donegal from the larger urban areas of Dublin and Belfast to celebrate their wedding - but many are being put off because they cannot book a suitable church or available priest in this county.
One hotel in Donegal Town has reported a number of cancellations with couples claiming they can't secure the services of a local priest, particularly on Saturdays.
It is claimed the loss to the hotel and to local bed and breakfast operators has been immense.
Local branch chairman of the Irish Hotels Federation, Paul Diver, told the Donegal Democrat, “They seem to get the same response from every church saying that most Saturdays are gone or are reserved for local people.”
The issue has caused much concern among local hoteliers and has been raised at meetings of the Donegal branch of the Irish Hotels Federation.
Mr Diver who is also General Manager of the Sandhouse Hotel in Rossnowlagh said, “destination hotels are the worst hit.”
He explained couples and their guests are inclined to make at least a weekend out of the special occasion. “I can confirm that quite a few hotels in the county have been affected,” he said.
“There is a very definite demand for these types of out of town weddings. Most of the couples would have no objection to paying for the church - understandably, there are overheads to be met but some do find it difficult to get a priest.”
“There is not even the option of a civil wedding at the weekends as the Registry Office is only open from Monday to Friday. Most people do however, still prefer a church wedding.”
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