Description
At the Shearwater Hotel & Spa, we specialise in creating unforgettable weddings that are uniquely tailored to you.
Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a grand affair for up to 500 guests, our team is here to bring your vision to life. Our recently refurbished ballroom offers a refined, elegant space for your big day. With a soft, neutral colour palette and thoughtfully designed focal points, the room serves as the perfect backdrop for your celebration and your photographs. Step outside onto our newly landscaped private garden patio, where the outdoors blend beautifully with the indoors. Thanks to our wall-to-wall garden-view windows, guests can comfortably mingle in one cohesive space that photographs as beautifully as it feels. Our venue offers a wide array of scenic spots, both inside and out, ensuring timeless wedding photos and eliminating the need to travel off-site, giving you more precious time with your guests.
Weddings are our speciality, and fine food is our promise. Our Executive Head Chef oversees every wedding meal with the utmost care and attention, ensuring an exceptional dining experience for you and your guests. Our new Spa, Fitness Centre and dedicated Beauty Rooms provide the perfect setting for bridal preparations on the morning of your big day, all under one roof.
Message from the team
Experience
Overview of Shearwater Hotel & Spa
Pricing for Shearwater Hotel & Spa
Reviews (8)
- NNora & Dermot15/10/2025Simply magical from start to finishSimply magical from start to finishThe Shearwater Hotel & Spa was the perfect choice for our wedding. From our first call with Kate, we felt supported and at ease. The hotel is stunning, the staff are incredible, and the food is unforgettable. Seeing everything laid out beautifully on the day, surrounded by our loved ones, was a moment we’ll never forget. Our guests are still raving, and we can’t wait to return. Simply magical from start to finish.The Shearwater Hotel & Spa was the perfect choice for our wedding. From our first call with Kate, we felt supported and at ease. The hotel is stunning, the staff are incredible, and the food is unforgettable. Seeing everything laid out beautifully on the day, surrounded by our loved ones, was a moment we’ll never forget. Our guests are still raving, and we can’t wait to return. Simply magical from start to finish.
- MMarie & Willie15/10/2025Thank you to everyone for everythingThank you to everyone for everythingWe enjoyed our wedding at the Shearwater. All the staff were so kind to us, and our drinks reception was beautiful. Thank you, Kate, you were so good to us as well. Thank you to everyone for everything, and special thanks to Rafal for being there just for us. Hope to see ye all soon, thanks again kate.We enjoyed our wedding at the Shearwater. All the staff were so kind to us, and our drinks reception was beautiful. Thank you, Kate, you were so good to us as well. Thank you to everyone for everything, and special thanks to Rafal for being there just for us. Hope to see ye all soon, thanks again kate.
- HHannah & Oisin15/10/2025Every detail was cared forEvery detail was cared forWe had our wedding at The Shearwater and couldn’t recommend it more! From the stunning venue and beautiful spaces for photos, drinks, and dancing, to Kate and Des’s amazing support on the day, everything was perfect. The staff were friendly and professional, and the food was superb, keeping the day flowing smoothly. Every detail was cared for, making our wedding truly unforgettable.We had our wedding at The Shearwater and couldn’t recommend it more! From the stunning venue and beautiful spaces for photos, drinks, and dancing, to Kate and Des’s amazing support on the day, everything was perfect. The staff were friendly and professional, and the food was superb, keeping the day flowing smoothly. Every detail was cared for, making our wedding truly unforgettable.
- CCiara & Joe15/10/2025You all went above and beyondYou all went above and beyondHi Kate, Just wanted to say a massive thank you to yourself and everyone at the Shearwater for making our day so special. There wasn't one single thing we would change. You all went above and beyond, and we will be forever grateful. From the first day we got in contact, there has never been any issue. Our family and friends were so impressed with everything, especially the food and the fast service! Thank you again, we can't wait to come back and celebrate again in the future. Hi Kate, Just wanted to say a massive thank you to yourself and everyone at the Shearwater for making our day so special. There wasn't one single thing we would change. You all went above and beyond, and we will be forever grateful. From the first day we got in contact, there has never been any issue. Our family and friends were so impressed with everything, especially the food and the fast service! Thank you again, we can't wait to come back and celebrate again in the future.
- AArlene & Padraig15/10/2025Everything ran so smoothlyEverything ran so smoothlyWe wanted to say a big thank you for all your help. The wedding was truly beautiful, everything turned out even better than we expected. Our guests were very happy and enjoyed the whole experience. We received great feedback and many compliments about the food and service. All the staff were wonderful, especially Desmond, he was top class on both days (the wedding day and day two). Everything ran so smoothly. Thank you again for your organisation, patience, and for making all of this possible.We wanted to say a big thank you for all your help. The wedding was truly beautiful, everything turned out even better than we expected. Our guests were very happy and enjoyed the whole experience. We received great feedback and many compliments about the food and service. All the staff were wonderful, especially Desmond, he was top class on both days (the wedding day and day two). Everything ran so smoothly. Thank you again for your organisation, patience, and for making all of this possible.
- RRebecca & Ronan15/10/2025Every detail was cared forEvery detail was cared forWe had the most amazing day at The Shearwater. Kate, our coordinator, was incredible from start to finish, and Desmond, the night manager, was just as wonderful. The staff handled everything flawlessly, from a flower girl spill to a guest’s allergy, making the day completely stress-free. The food, drinks, and ballroom were stunning, and the atmosphere was perfect. Every detail was cared for, making our wedding truly unforgettable.We had the most amazing day at The Shearwater. Kate, our coordinator, was incredible from start to finish, and Desmond, the night manager, was just as wonderful. The staff handled everything flawlessly, from a flower girl spill to a guest’s allergy, making the day completely stress-free. The food, drinks, and ballroom were stunning, and the atmosphere was perfect. Every detail was cared for, making our wedding truly unforgettable.
- SSandra & Kevin15/06/2023Everything was just perfectEverything was just perfectHi Chloe, Thank you and all the staff so much for our fantastic wedding, everything was just perfect, everyone loved the food. We are so glad we chose shearwater for our wedding; we really couldn`t fault anythingHi Chloe, Thank you and all the staff so much for our fantastic wedding, everything was just perfect, everyone loved the food. We are so glad we chose shearwater for our wedding; we really couldn`t fault anything
- Linda & Garry15/06/2023We got a fantastic package and great valueWe got a fantastic package and great valueFrom the first email we sent to the Shearwater up until our wedding day, we couldn’t fault any of it. From the price to the food to the support from Chloe was exceptional. Chloe was so easy to deal with and professional in every way. Everything seemed so easy and anytime we needed to find out something, there was never an issue and always a quick response. We got a fantastic package and great value for money. On the day of our wedding, we didn’t have to think of anything. From the first email we sent to the Shearwater up until our wedding day, we couldn’t fault any of it. From the price to the food to the support from Chloe was exceptional. Chloe was so easy to deal with and professional in every way. Everything seemed so easy and anytime we needed to find out something, there was never an issue and always a quick response. We got a fantastic package and great value for money. On the day of our wedding, we didn’t have to think of anything.
Location & Contact Details for Shearwater Hotel & Spa
Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
There have been so many incredible weddings here, but one that always stands out was Katie & Philip. Filled with laughter, live music, and so much love. The couple were relaxed and full of joy, and their personalities shone through in every detail. Guests mingled on the terrace in the sunshine, the ballroom looked breathtaking, and the energy all day was just magic. It felt less like work and more like being part of something really special!
What is your No.1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Get ahead of the game with regards to your rooms. It will save you stress closer to the time trying to figure out rooms for your guests, so definitely get on that as early as possible and check in with your reservations manager monthly for updates.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
For the party favours and place cards, the couple had pictures of each guest with the bride or groom. It was such a lovely reminder that everyone there was a special part of their life.
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
Spacious, welcoming, elegant, bright, unforgettable.
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
Directly beside the Shearwater is Ballinasloe Marina, the perfect spot to get those outdoor photos with the most beautiful natural backdrop.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
Not yet, but it's only a matter of time!
What’s your favourite canapé?
Definitely the mini goats cheese tartlet.
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Our beef burger sliders are to die for!
What is your venue's most unique feature?
I can't choose between our lobby with that grand chandelier or our ballroom that can fit up to 500 people and still look luxurious!
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I'm really proud of the work our team put in to making each wedding memorable for both the Bride & Groom and the guests. We really put our all into it, and it shows in the delivery and reviews from our happy customers.
