After the people of
Ireland voted to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday, Tourism Ireland rolled
out a campaign to promote same-sex weddings and honeymoons.
The campaign targets
nine source markets — the U.S., Britain, Canada, Scandinavia,
Australia, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.
A new video showcases Ireland’s scenery and culture, as well was the Outing, a LGBT
matchmaking festival taking place Oct. 2-4 in Lisdoonvarna, Ireland.
Tourism Ireland is
also doing targeted advertising on Facebook, directing potential visitors to a
new section on the Tourism Ireland website that features wedding
locations, bars and clubs.
Suppliers in Ireland
are promoting to the LGBT market, as well. The 800-year-old luxury hotel
Ashford Castle in County Mayo has introduced gay wedding and honeymoon
packages starting in summer 2015.
Pricing for a wedding
at the castle, with a minimum of 75 bedrooms or 160 guests per night, starts at
$63,050.
The castle honeymoon package includes two nights in a suite with full
Irish breakfast; a bottle of champagne in room upon arrival; an archery lesson
for two; a five-course meal for two at the George V Dining Room; rose petal
turndown service; a movie night with Valrhona handmade chocolates and choice of
night cap; room service breakfast for two; and a mid-afternoon check
out. Pricing for the castle honeymoon starts at $1,620.