Weddings at the Honan Chapel

Celebrate Your Wedding With Us

We are blessed that so many valued marriages began their life here at the Honan Chapel. If you are getting married or considering the Honan Chapel as the venue for the celebration of the sacrament of marriage, we congratulate you and wish you a lifetime of love and happiness.

Arranging a Honan Chapel Wedding

If you are a University College Cork student, graduate or staff member, you can be eligible to marry in the Honan Chapel. Students and graduates of the National Universities of Ireland including Teacher Training Colleges (Mary Immaculate Limerick, St Patrick’s (DCU), St Patrick’s Maynooth and St Patrick’s Drumcondra) may also be permitted to marry here. 

In addition, and since the Honan Chapel is a Catholic Church, either the bride or groom must have been baptised a Catholic. 

Once you have chosen the Honan Chapel as your venue and you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the first thing you should do is contact our Wedding Bookings Secretary, Yvonne McGrath. She will guide you with care through all necessary details and explain each step of the process. You can contact Yvonne here or by calling (021) 4903088. 

The Honan Chapel is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm.  
 
During the academic year, there are Masses Monday to Friday at 1.05pm  
The Chapel is open for 12 noon Mass on Sundays during the academic year. Weddings are not permitted on Sundays. 
 
If you are booking a wedding at a time when the Chapel may be busy with liturgical or paraliturgical ceremonies, please check with us in advance.

Since the Chapel is not in receipt of public funding, and is fully dependent on marriage fees and donations, we rely on the fees charged.

Set by the Governors of Honan Trust, and from January 2024, the fee for marriage is €700. 

To secure your booking we ask for a €100 deposit (non-refundable). 

Fees can be paid securely online here.

Preparing for Your Marriage

Your next step should be to approach the priest of your home parish – at least six months in advance – to arrange all the necessary documentation and your pre-marriage course. You will need: 

  • Baptismal certificates issued within six months of the date of marriage and Confirmation Certificates for both parties.  
  • Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Forms for both parties.  
  • Pre-Marriage Course Certificate. 
  • Each person marrying in the State must attend in person (by appointment only) at the office of any Registrar in the State to give at least three months’ notification of intention to marry. Assuming all legal requirements are met, the couple are then issued a Marriage Registration form (MRF). 
  • Marriage papers from abroad should be forwarded for clearance through the local Bishop to: The Reverend Secretary, Diocesan Offices, Redemption Road, Cork. You will also need to supply a certified translation of any foreign language papers. 
  • Your parish priest must then send this documentation to: Dean of the Honan Chapel, University College Cork, Cork. 

Please note: 
All documentation MUST arrive THREE MONTHS in advance of your wedding date. 
We cannot confirm a booking until all documentation has been received and is in good order. 

Arrangements
for the Day

Your Flowers and Decorations

Please tell your florist that all flower arrangements need to be prepared in good time and brought ready for placing in the Chapel. Florists will also need to supply their own pedestals. As the church furniture is antique and preserved, we ask that no adhesive materials or drawing pins are used to attach flower bouquets or displays on the main aisle. For health and safety reasons, candles or other naked flames are not allowed in the body of the church and may be used ONLY in the sanctuary area. We respectfully ask that you do not use confetti. 

Parking

The Honan Chapel offers a designated parking space for the bridal car, the entry for which is from O’ Donovan’s Road immediately below the chapel and through the grounds of ‘Leeholme.’ 
 
We are unable to offer general parking. Please ask your wedding guests to use the adjacent UCC car parks.  

Your Musicians

You are welcome to provide your own musicians, singers and organists. The Chapel organ is available for your use.  

Church Furniture

We thank you for understanding that the church furniture cannot be moved. Arrangements are made for wedding party furniture in the Chapel.

Please note: 
Occasionally there may be maintenance/repairs and University events which are beyond our control. Should this be the case, we will do our utmost to minimise any inconvenience.

Your Wedding Rehearsal

If you wish to rehearse your marriage ceremony, please be sure to make arrangements in good time by contacting the Honan Chapel Wedding Office here or by calling (021) 4903088.

Please note, we ask that all rehearsals are completed by 7.00 pm. 

Your Wedding Ceremony 

As there may be more than one wedding scheduled on a given day, it is essential that your ceremony starts punctually. 

Your Marriage Certificates 

After your wedding you can request a Church Certificate of your marriage by writing to: The Sacristan, The Honan Chapel, University College, Cork. 

Office Hours

Our Office Hours are:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8.30 am to 1pm. 

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