Wedding Photography Opportunities at Jackson's Hotel, Donegal

Your wedding photographs are the memories you'll return to for years to come, and Jackson's Hotel is surrounded by some of the most beautiful settings in Donegal. From elegant spaces within the hotel to riverside woodland, a traditional cottage garden and one of the county's most dramatic mountain passes, you'll have a wonderful choice of backdrops, all within a short distance of your celebration.

The Finn Suite Staircase, Terraces and Walled Gardens

Distance from the hotel: On site

The sweeping staircase in the Finn Suite's private arrivals lobby is a favourite with wedding photographers, perfect for a grand entrance, bridal portraits and group photographs with your wedding party. Outside, our terraces and walled gardens offer calm, sheltered spots for relaxed couple portraits and family photographs, making them an ideal choice in any weather and convenient for larger family groups.

The River Finn and Drumboe Woods

Distance from the hotel: A few minutes' walk, directly across the River Finn

Just across the river, Drumboe Woods offers around 150 acres of mature beech, oak, ash and birch woodland along the banks of the River Finn. Riverside paths, tall trees and soft natural light make it a beautiful setting for romantic, natural photographs, and a peaceful place to share a quiet moment together away from the celebration. Look out for the giant sequoia and Californian redwood at the heart of the woods, carpets of bluebells in spring and rich golden colour in autumn.

The Cottage Garden

Distance from the hotel: Approx. 5 minutes by car

Tucked into the quiet Donegal countryside, The Cottage Garden is home to a traditional Irish stone cottage set within a pretty garden of flowers and trees. With its thick stone walls, timber door and traditional detailing, the cottage has real character, while the garden around it offers flowering borders, shady trees and quiet corners that shift in colour through the year. Spring blossom against the stone, roses in full bloom in summer and soft autumn tones along the pathways each bring something different to your photographs.

What couples and photographers love most is its natural, unstaged feel. This is a real garden rather than a manicured backdrop, and it feels timeless and unmistakably Irish. Whether you're stepping away for a few quiet portraits or gathering your family in a relaxed setting, The Cottage Garden adds something truly special to your wedding album. 

Barnesmore Gap

Distance from the hotel: Approx. 20 minutes by car

For couples who'd love something more dramatic, Barnesmore Gap is one of the most striking locations in Donegal. This historic mountain pass cuts through the Bluestack Mountains between Croaghconnellagh and Croaghonagh, with steep slopes rising on either side and the Lowerymore River running alongside the road. Open skies, sweeping hills and a real sense of wild Donegal make for bold, cinematic wedding photographs, particularly in the golden light of late afternoon and evening. Your photographer can help you plan the timing, so it fits comfortably into your day.