It doesn’t matter how many times we have gotten the chance to return to the Emerald Isle – Ireland is still full of magic. Ireland is a country renowned for its history, being full of castles, abbeys, and cathedrals at almost every turn. It seemed like more than the hand of fate by having our second wedding anniversary fall just a few days after my husband wrapped on filming his latest upcoming movie. For all my love of everything historical and royal, this was bound to be the perfect escape to celebrate year two of marriage at a romantic Irish castle. After driving through the lusciously green, rolling landscapes of the Irish countryside, turning down the lengthy tree-lined driveway towards the majestic stone-built castle felt like the beginning of a fairytale story.
Romance oozes out of every corner at Cabra Castle, which we had the pleasure of calling “home” for a few days and were the guests of its beloved owner named Mitzie (they had just opened beautiful gardens next to the castle in her name just days earlier). Just over an hour northwest outside of Dublin, our castle was just off the beaten path enough away from modern day civilization. Here we could truly immerse ourselves in a somewhat fantasy lifestyle of a noble couple as residents of this romantic Irish castle. With rooms fit for a king and queen, and a grand dining room that exuded Downton Abbey vibes each night we dined in there for dinner, my husband kept remarking on how I never stopped smiling.
Dressing feminine is my favorite way to dress up, especially when we are calling a castle “home.” On this trip, I packed several of my new favorite Paige pieces that made me feel like a modern day Lady Mary Crawley. I don’t normally dress in an all-similar color palette, especially a light one, but this delicate embroidered satin kimono paired so well with this ruffled top and white denim. The kimono works so well underneath a maxi coat or as a jacket on its own. It’s one of the most feminine outerwear pieces for spring in my wardrobe.
For Easter Sunday lunch, there was no way I wasn’t going to pretend this was a Downton Abbey-type Sunday. We made reservations to dine in the grand dining room, so I took advantage by dressing for the occasion in a lace top with this floral, asymmetrical dress. When I shared my Ireland packing list, this dress was the most commented on and rightfully so. It’s not only perfect for spring and perfect for layering pieces underneath, but it’ll also be a dreamy dress for warmer summer weather.
Staying in a romantic Irish castle could not have been more fitting for Easter and for our second wedding anniversary. After a year of countless marathons of The Crown and Downton Abbey, I finally got to dress up and live out a weekend in royal style like I’ve been dreaming about. As we pulled away from our royal abode for the weekend, I couldn’t help but look back on the magnificent castle behind us and reminisce in the beautiful memories we had created there.
WHAT I WORE IN THIS POST:
LOOK 1
PAIGE KIMONO, TOP, AND DENIM C/O, MANSUR GAVRIEL BAG, JEFFREY CAMPBELL BOOTS
LOOK 2
PAIGE DRESS C/O, WAYF LACE TOP, SÉZANE BOOTS, CUYANA BAG, NARS POWERMATTE LIPSTICK IN SAVE THE QUEEN
Thank you to PAIGE for sponsoring this post.
Photos by Torrance Coombs.
Location: Cabra Castle, Ireland
You completely look like you belong in a castle setting and you look so happy all the time. The spring fashion vibes where perfect also! Perhaps people should start calling you Lady Alyssa!
haha for some reason “Lady Alyssa” doesn’t have a nice ring to it….
Dear Alyssa,
I am sure that this trip of yours was more than perfect. We can see your happiness shining from every photo and you truly enjoyed your days off.
I love reading your articles because I feel like I am there. You are writing so passionately and it is a pleasure to be able to see your adventures.
Keep the articles coming because you’re so good at it!
Aww thank you so much Danielle! That means a lot!
This was such a beautiful post and I adore the attire! Not to mention that the hot drink looks to die for! Sending you both lots of love .xxx
Thank you so much!