The Westgrove Hotel’s unrivalled reputation for beautiful weddings was underscored when Director of Weddings Lorna McKeon was named Wedding Coordinator of the Year at the Let’s Talk Weddings Ireland Awards 2025.
By coincidence, the Awards were hosted on September 22 last for the second successive year by the 4-star family-run hotel, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in May 2026. Lorna’s dedication to her couples has earned her some of the industry’s most prestigious accolades, including Wedding Coordinator of the Year 2024 with WeddingsOnline and once again in 2025 with Let’s Talk Weddings. A private wedding planner before she joined The Westgrove in 2021, Lorna continues to elevate every celebration at the multi-awarding hotel, bringing passion, innovation and above all a personal touch to each and every wedding.
Celebrating excellence in the Irish wedding industry, the Let’s Talk Weddings Ireland Awards are the Oscars of the wedding business. With over 200 premium Let’s Talking Weddings suppliers in attendance, it was a night filled with joy, celebration and recognition of the incredible talent within Ireland’s wedding industry.
The difficult task of selecting the winners and highly commended suppliers fell to a panel of judges made up of real brides and grooms. Every finalist represented the very best in weddings, making the decision far from easy.
“I was both shocked and delighted to win this award, and in our own hotel of all places!” Lorna enthuses.
“Huge credit must go to our amazing wedding team at the hotel for making this happen. It really is a team effort and ours is truly the best in the business! The awards were based on votes from past couples, the general public, a written submission as well as testimonials and social media reviews. We literally have hundreds of five-star reviews online and they obviously impressed the judges.
“Among the glowing reviews we received were from well-known Irish wedding blogger Sara Kennedy, and Fair City and Love Hate actor Johnny Ward, whose wedding to Brenda we were delighted to host in 2023.
“What sets The Westgrove Hotel apart as an exceptional choice for a wedding is its highly-dedicated team, known for their unwavering attention to detail, remarkable service standards, exquisite food, and genuine care for each couple. One entire wing of the hotel is reserved exclusively for the wedding party and their guests, offering a unique sense of privacy and prestige that consistently leaves couples impressed and delighted.
“At The Westgrove Hotel, we love weddings… and it shows.”
As Director of Weddings at The Westgrove Hotel, Lorna is widely recognised as one of Ireland’s leading wedding experts. Before joining the team in Clane, she built her reputation as a highly sought-after private wedding planner, known for her impeccable organisation, warm and personal approach and creative vision.
Throughout her career, Lorna has had more goosebump and pinch-me moments than she can count! When a couple book their Big Day at The Westgrove Hotel, they’re not just choosing a venue – they’re choosing Lorna. As their award-winning wedding coordinator, she is the first point of contact and their constant support from the moment they meet until the final farewell.
“I wear many different hats: confidante, cheerleader, problem-solver, secret bridesmaid, dream-weaver and sometimes even therapist!” the affable Celbridge woman explains.
“My role is to be the calm in the chaos, the voice of reassurance and the glue that holds every detail of their day beautifully together – all bundled up with excitement and fun from the get-go.
“One couple once joked that I knew their wedding better than they did – and on the day, when the bride forgot her something blue, it was already tucked into her bouquet, just in case. For me, it’s not just about planning a wedding – it’s about making sure each couple feels truly seen, supported and celebrated every step of the way.”
Furthermore, Lorna is unapologetically authentic: friendly, welcoming, genuinely interested, organised, honest and fun. Her creativity flows naturally, fuelled by an unwavering passion to make every wedding magical. Couples often say that Lorna has an infectious personality – and it’s safe to say that’s her secret superpower.
“I’m proud to be a professional wedding coordinator and to have worked in this wonderful industry for over 10 years. They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life and it’s 100% true for me.”
Lorna’s expertise is complemented by an award-winning All-Inclusive package at one of Ireland’s finest wedding venues. The choice of multiple suppliers included in the package features industry-leading bands, DJs, photographers, cake makers, florists and wedding cars. In addition to this, lots of complimentary extras are included.
“One of the jewels in our crown is our All-Inclusive Package which is the best in the country. To be able to offer our couples a choice of award-winning suppliers and every element they need for their big day in one package has been a game-changer for us. It’s rare to come across a high-end, award-winning All-Inclusive Package that’s also great value, but we believe we’ve topped the list and have the awards to prove it,” Lorna points out.
Nestled in the rolling countryside of Co. Kildare, The Westgrove Hotel is the epitome of sophistication, elegance and romance. It is the perfect backdrop to celebrate one of the biggest days of your life, surrounded by family and friends. The Westgrove Hotel wedding team really knows how to do gorgeous, elegant, stunning, once-in-a-lifetime and memorable weddings.
Whether you envision an intimate gathering or a lavish affair, The Westgrove Hotel offers the perfect setting. The hotel can accommodate celebrations of all sizes, with wedding packages tailored to fit your guest list. From an Exclusive Intimate package for 50 guests – lovingly created for couples who want an exquisite celebration surrounded by those closest to them – to a grand All-Inclusive package hosting up to 300 guests – creating a spectacular day filled with exceptional suppliers, taking care of every detail so you can focus of what matters most – The Westgrove Hotel has you covered.
From the delicious canapes at your drinks reception to the magnificent celebration of your wedding banquet, The Westgrove Hotel’s culinary experience is crafted to leave a lasting impression. The hotel offers both outdoor ceremonies on its stunning Roof Terrace and indoor ceremonies in the elegant O’Connell Suite. Each venue is carefully designed to bring magic to your special day, featuring a red or ivory-carpet aisle, stunning aisle décor, floral arches, candle-lit lanterns and exquisite floral displays.
The team’s attention to detail and creative touch make every ceremony unique, ensuring a picture-perfect backdrop for memories that will last a lifetime.
“We have 96 bedrooms, including a host of beautifully refurbished and high-spec suites, including the honeymoon suite. We also have a wing of the hotel with a private bar and rooftop which is exclusive to wedding parties,” Lorna adds.
Of course, The Westgrove Hotel isn’t just a wedding venue. A mere 10 minutes from the M4 at Maynooth, and now even easier to reach off the M7 via the new Junction 9A, the hotel is perfectly located to tour Ireland’s Ancient East. It is easily accessible to all local amenities such as Kildare Village, Newbridge Silverware, The Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens, The Curragh and lots more.
Boasting well-appointed family rooms, apartments and a choice of individually styled and decorated suites, The Westgrove Hotel has the perfect accommodation option for business travellers, couples and families alike.
The Oak Bar & Restaurant is a warm and sophisticated space, crafted in walnut wood and natural limestone to create a relaxed yet refined ambience. Now featuring a refreshed cocktail menu, with both classic and inventive options a favourite among guests is the Espresso Martini, praised on TripAdvisor by many of their guests.
The Evening Menu pairs beautifully with the new cocktail menu, with an offering of familiar favourites and seasonal dishes, plus delicious vegan options. Whether as a pre-dinner drink, post-meeting unwinds, a bar-style gathering, etc the Oak Bar provides sophistication, character, and flexibility.
As part of a €2 million investment in 2025, the Westgrove Hotel has undergone a major transformation, including a complete redesign of Kirby’s Restaurant. The upgraded Kirby’s Restaurant now serves as an elegant, modern dining space, ideal for private dining, group gatherings, and intimate celebrations.
The hotel also offers a choice of conference and event spaces with a purpose-built Conference Centre over two floors. O’Connell Suite which boasts theatre capacity up to 450, banquet-style for around 320 people. The Alexandra Suite seats up to 400 in theatre-style, or 180 for an evening banquet. In addition, there is a host of small to medium sized meeting rooms for every client. Each space boasts natural daylight, air-conditioning, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and full AV support. A dedicated events team tailor events from conferences and product launches to banquets, team-building and corporate gatherings.
As part of their ongoing commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience, the Westgrove Hotel has recently invested in a full upgrade of our Leisure Centre. Introducing state-of-the-art fitness equipment and enhanced wellness facilities. These upgrades ensure that couples, their guests, corporate clients, families can enjoy premium amenities during their stay, whether they wish to unwind before any celebrations or rejuvenate after the big day, relax after a busy working day or tire the kids out before bed.
Fronted by CEO Patrick Fadden, The Westgrove Hotel continues to go from strength to strength, 20 years since first opening its doors. Here’s to the next 20 and many more!
The Westgrove Hotel
Abbeylands,
Clane,
Naas,
Co. Kildare,
W91 YWE0.
Telephone: 045 989 900
Email: [email protected]
This article was published in Hotel & Tourism Magazine, Spring 2026, Vol 2 No 1
