Celebrating 40 Years Part 1: An Irish Midsummer Night’s Dream

To mark this momentous occasion, we did what we do best— threw a fabulous party! 

While we’ve hosted many special events over the years, this one was particularly dear to our hearts as it was not only in honor of our 40-year milestone but also the 50th birthday of our own Suzanne Mullen, who spent her childhood at the Station House when it was the Slattery family home. 

We invite you to celebrate 40 years of hospitality with us through this two-part series. Enjoy highlights from the party, and stay tuned for part two, where we travel back in time and share some memorable moments from the past four decades. 

Inspired by the ethereal beauty of our gardens, the theme was “An Irish Midsummer Night’s Dream”

As guests arrived, sporting black ties and vibrant dresses, they were transported into a fairy tale scene with a stunning outdoor installation by florist Joeanna Caffrey and our resident landscape gardener Martin Fagan. A lush blend of ferns, magnolia, cherry blossoms, and hydrangeas bloomed around the entrance to the Carriage Suite.

Also on display were a few family relics to top off the Shakespearean ‘fairy garden’ theme: an antique grammar phone, and various musical instruments!

The festivities began on the terrace with Jucbox, a traditional Irish band from Rathcairn. Their music had everyone’s toes tapping as guests enjoyed pints of Guinness, glasses of Il Borro Rose wine, and an Ornabrak Gin bar. 

Our house champagne, Gremillet Brut, flowed freely, accompanied by a selection of delicious canapés.

Dinner was held in The Carriage Suite. Formally a locomotive workshop dating back to 1862, the beautifully restored ‘Carriage Suite and Banquet Hall’ is a fairy-tale setting for weddings and social events.

Three long “Harry Potter-style” tables, draped in rich emerald cloth, were deliberately chosen to complement the hall’s standout features—the lush foliage ceiling and fresh eucalyptus-framed windows that fill the space with a crisp, forest scent year-round.

Charming floral arrangements by Joeanna Caffrey, in shades of pink, white, coral, and pastel blue, were artfully sprinkled throughout, adding a vibrant pop of color.

Event planner Maria Reidy added her special touch with napkin ribbons and candles that, alongside our crystal chandeliers and fairy lights, made the room sparkle as though by starlight.

For Dinner, Chef Gordon, head chef of our award-winning Signal Restaurant, and his team prepared an exquisite three-course meal, made entirely from fresh and locally sourced ingredients.

After supper, the celebration moved outdoors for a stroll through the gardens. It began to drizzle, but we didn’t let the rain stop our parade! (after all, what’s an Irish celebration without a splash of summer rain?) 

Beneath a canopy of umbrellas, guests followed a lantern-lit path to the Turntable. Originally used to rotate train cars, the historic stone amphitheater is the perfect venue for intimate wedding ceremonies and garden parties.

Here, the all-female drum troupe, Pulse Drummers, delivered a dazzling performance under the stars. 

Amid lingering echoes of the last drumbeat, a saxophone called guests back to The Carriage Suite, where ‘DJ and Sax’ played lively music and everyone danced the night away! 

In lieu of gifts, Suzanne requested donations to Tiglin, a charity dedicated to helping people overcome addiction and homelessness. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests, over €4,600 was raised.

A special shoutout to Joeanna Caffrey for the breathtaking floral arrangements, Maria Reidy for her impeccable event planning, and all our suppliers for their outstanding service. 

Thank you to The Gloss magazine for featuring the party in their Gloss-ip column.

Finally, thank you to our outstanding team at The Station House, whose dedication and hard work made the night truly magical! 

If you’re searching for the perfect venue for a private event, look no further than The Station House Hotel. Our convenient location, world-class hospitality, and award-winning food make us the ideal choice for weddings, ceremonies, corporate events, social events, and much more.

Stay Tuned for part 2 in our “Celebrating 40 Years” series