Review: The Landmark Hotel

I drive through Carrick-on-Shannon every year. I’ve stopped for tea more times than I can count, admired the views over the Shannon, and always thought fondly of The Landmark Hotel. However, if I’m being honest, I had no idea just how strong this venue is when it comes to weddings. Yes, I know that they win many awards but I didn’t really know what it had to offer as a venue.

Sponsored but all thoughts are my own.

From the moment I arrived, the warmth of the team was unmistakable. For the first time in all of my years reviewing wedding venues, I was actually sat down and treated to a full wedding menu tasting, exactly as couples experience it. It was exceptional. The food genuinely stopped me in my tracks. This is a culinary hidden gem, and one that deserves far more attention than it gets. I haven’t stopped telling people about how good the food was.

A venue with personality (and ducks!)

When I stepped into the lobby, the first thing that caught my eye was the subtle duck décor. Naturally, I assumed it was a nod to the River Shannon, which flows right past the hotel. But there’s a much better story behind it.

When the owners first opened The Landmark, they took inspiration from a hotel in the USA that hosted a daily Duck Show. If you were lucky enough to experience it, you would have seen a family of ducks come down the hotel’s impressive staircase and make their way outside to the river. It’s these little details and stories that give a venue real character, and The Landmark has that in spades.

The venue sits right on the banks of the Shannon River. Couples are spoilt with locations to capture their wedding photos without having to go far. Don’t be surprised if you have a few swans and ducks coming to meet you.

Arrival & drinks reception

On the wedding day, guests are welcomed into a beautiful Kelly Suite which is a private arrival reception space. It’s spacious and calm. There’s plenty of room to add entertainment if you wish, plus the venue dress it so well with all you will need to give your guests a great welcome.

The drinks and canapés are beautifully presented and, having sampled them myself, I can confirm they taste just as good as they look. The attention to detail here really stood out.

The Kelly Suite has direct access to the Grand Ballroom and is beside the private Mallard Bar, creating a seamless flow for guests from the very start of the day.

Ceremony options

For those looking to get married onsite, The Landmark Hotel offers several ceremony spaces depending on the style and scale of your day.

• Kelly Suite – seats up to 200 guests for a more traditional ceremony
• Rowing Suite – ideal for intimate weddings, seating up to 60 guests

The Grand Ballroom

The Grand Ballroom is opulent and dressed in natural, neutral tones that allow couples to bring in their own style if they wish. That said, the room stands beautifully on its own and doesn’t require heavy décor to feel special.

Large chandeliers, a draped backdrop with uplighting, integrated centrepieces and a generous dancefloor all add to the sense of occasion. The bar is discreetly incorporated into the room, meaning once dinner begins, you and your guests are fully self-contained in your own world, something couples consistently tell is important to them.

The ballroom can cater for up to 350 guests, while still feeling warm and atmospheric, and there are smaller spaces available for more intimate celebrations.

Bars, accommodation & overall experience

In addition to the private Mallard Bar for arrival drinks, this residents’ bar is also available later in the evening, offering guests variety without ever feeling disjointed.

There is ample guest accommodation on site, which is always a huge plus, and the hotel’s riverside setting provides a stunning backdrop for photographs, with both water and rural scenery on your doorstep.

A multi award-winning team you can trust

What stood out to me most during my visit was the team. Their warmth, professionalism and genuine pride in what they do makes it very clear why The Landmark sweeps up wedding awards year after year.

With over 20 years of experience hosting weddings, they understand the concerns couples have when planning so far in advance, and they know how to guide you through the process calmly and confidently. If my experience is anything to go by, wedding couples are exceptionally well looked after here.

The Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim is a venue that quietly delivers on all fronts:
exceptional food, genuine hospitality, beautiful spaces, and a seamless wedding experience.

If you’re considering Leitrim for your wedding, or even if you’re just beginning your venue search, this is one I would strongly recommend putting on your list.