Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) today (13 February 2014) offered couples intending to get married in Civil Ceremonies the option of holding their event in one of the heritage sites run by the OPW.

Speaking today, Minister Hayes said "OPW has some wonderful historic sites in its care and last year, we welcomed about 4.2 million visitors at sites such as Newgrange and the Rock of Cashel. These are just two of our wonderful and iconic sites that are  a key part of our cultural heritage. There are many other sites in our portfolio apart from the obvious ones - hidden gems if you will - and we are very interested in bringing people to these places and opening them up to more visitors and a greater variety of uses. To this end, I have long felt that there is a great potential in some of our heritage sites to become venues for Civil Ceremonies."

A number of Civil Ceremonies have already taken place at OPW sites such as Castletown House in Co. Kildare and the Casino at Marino, Dublin 3. The OPW is keen to increase the number of its sites that might be offered as locations to intending couples and is currently working with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assess the suitability of various properties for example Desmond Hall in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick or the Main Guard in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.  There are rules governing the suitability of locations to act as Civil Ceremony venues and not all sites managed by the OPW will be approved by the HSE. In addition, approved OPW sites will only be the venue for the official civil ceremony itself and not for receptions afterward. 

Minister Hayes concluded "I hope to be able to formally announce more of these approved locations shortly, so that couples intending to hold Civil Ceremonies can avail of some of Ireland's most beautiful and atmospheric places for their big day."

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For further information or if you wish to interview Minister Brian Hayes, please contact Colette Davis, OPW Press Officer at 046 942 6128 or 087 947 5552 or colette.davis@opw.ie