The Station House in Co Meath was the setting for a magical evening hosted by hotelier Suzanne Mullen …
When it came to planning her recent 50th birthday, hotelier and former financier Suzanne Mullen deliberately chose the theme an “Irish Midsummer’s Night Dream” to incorporate the beauty of the gardens at Station House Hotel, Co Meath (previously her family home) and set the scene for a night filled with music and fun.
Among the stylish party of over 130 friends and family, were interior designer Aileen McNamee, boutique owner Joanne Mallon, Patrick Shelley, founder of Oranbrak Gin and Origin Spirits and Darina Slattery, founder of Oomi Travel.
As guests arrived at the boutique hotel, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, they were greeted by an outdoor installation created by florist Joeanna Caffrey and the hotel’s resident landscape gardener, Martin Fagan (of Martin Fagan Landscapes) featuring tree ferns, magnolia, cherry blossom, hydrangeas and abundant planting.
“To get the evening started, we enlisted a local traditional Irish music band, Jucbox, from the Gaeltacht area of Rathcairn, who played during the pre-dinner drinks on the terrace where we served pints of Guinness and Carlingford oysters. There was also an Ornabrak Gin bar, and Gremillet Brut champagne with a selection of canapés for guests on arrival,” says Suzanne, who wore a teal Stella McCartney dress.
The celebration supper was held in The Carriage Suite, originally a locomotive workshop dating back to 1862, and the setting for many weddings and special occasions. Already elegant, The Carriage Suite was transformed into a lush bower with help from Joeanna and event planner Maria Reidy. “I particularly wanted three, long ‘Harry Potter-style’ tables and flowers to complement the existing foliage on the ceiling and fresh eucalyptus to frame the windows, gave a beautiful scent as you entered.”
The seasonal supper was prepared by chef Gordon Mooney and his team. Delicious mushroom and wild garlic tartlets were followed by fillet of Irish Hereford beef or wild Irish hake and a rhubarb custard tart, made with rhubarb from Swainstown Farm in Kilmessan.
After supper and speeches, guests took a stroll through the woods to The Turntable (an onsite amphitheatre often used for humanist wedding ceremonies), where Pulse Drummers, an all-female drum troupe, performed. The sounds of the saxophone beckoned guests back to The Carriage Suite for the remainder of the night.
This special evening also had a purpose: instead of birthday gifts, Suzanne asked for donations to Tiglin, a charity which helps people overcome addiction and homelessness. The amount raised was over €4,601.
Click into the gallery below to see the guests who attended the party.
Photographer: @ivanas.photography.