Kilkee is Orlaith's favourite place in the world. She spent her childhood summers here, in the horseshoe bay, with the Atlantic doing whatever it liked.
So that's where Niall asked. Up on the cliffs, the sea going about its business below. She said yes.
Placeholder: the full story is still to be told, and it washes in soon
are getting married. Come on in, the water's grand.
September 2020, LYIT Donegal v the Eagles. Niall gave Orlaith a thumbs-up at the game. It is still the boldest play of his career, and it worked.
That night, in Shake Dog, the late-night takeaway in Limerick, they properly talked for the first time.
Some love stories start in Paris. This one started with garlic chips.
Both basketball mad. Orlaith is proudly Limerick, Huskies through and through. Niall is proudly Derry, and says so often. She teaches primary school; he works for Basketball Ireland. The household is still standing.
Orlaith lived in Dubai, by another sea, for two years. She loves it still and has family there. Niall made the trip five times. Warmer water, same two people.
The big day. A church in Monaleen, then the Woodlands in Adare until the legs give out.
Monaleen Church, Castletroy, Limerick. Come early, get a good pew.
Monsignor Dan Neenan officiating, with Jessica Brett on the music. The time may move to 1:30; the invites will confirm it.
The Woodlands Hotel & Spa, about 25 minutes from the church. The wedding car is a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, so don't try to overtake it.
Jessica Brett keeps the music going while everyone finds the bar.
Sit down, eat well. Speeches come with dessert, which is only fair.
Then the DJ, until late.
Working plan, final times with the invites
Saturday 24 April 2027, from 4:00 PM
The Treehouse at the Woodlands. Everyone's welcome. No second list, no small print.
Food, music, and a full review of Friday by the people who were there. Come as you are, sore head and all. If you're in Adare on the Saturday, you're in.
The people holding the boat steady.
On the day: Monsignor Dan Neenan officiating, Black Diamond Photography on photos, MDA Productions on video, Jessica Brett at the church and the drinks, The Bentley Boys and the DJ after dinner, and a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud doing the driving.
360 km, about 4¾ hours. Down the west coast and past Benbulben. The Northern convoy is a tradition at this stage.
Belfast: the M1 then the M7, about four hours.
Dublin: straight down the M7, about two and a half.
Parking: plenty at the Woodlands. Church parking notes come with the invites. Car pool if you can.
Shannon Airport is 30 minutes away, and the easy choice. Cork is about 1¾ hours by road; Dublin about 2½ after you land.
Taxis: local numbers come with the invites, and the hotel desk will always get you one.
Weather: April in Ireland, so all four seasons before the soup. Everything is indoors; bring a coat for the photos.
Your good clothes. Colour, suits, dresses, personality. Two rules only: nothing white unless you're the bride, and no club jerseys. Either club. Yes, we know it's a Huskies and Eagles household. That's exactly why.
Really. The Treehouse at the Woodlands, Saturday 24 April, from 4:00 PM. No second list. If you're around, come down.
Your invite names everyone it includes. Check it when it lands in the new year, and just ask one of us if anything's unclear.
The ruling on phones comes with the invites. Either way, Black Diamond Photography and MDA Productions have it covered, so you can just be there.
Having you there is the present; there'll be a quiet card box on the day if you'd like it.
1 March 2027, to be confirmed on the invites. Earlier is lovely.
Not yet. It's a demo. The real one, where you look up your name and answer for your whole household, goes live with the invites.
Practice tide: this is a demo, and it goes live with the invites
Tell us you're coming. It takes a minute, and the tide won't take it.
Your reply is written in the sand, well above the tide line. When the real RSVP opens with the invites, this is exactly how it will work.
Thanks for letting us know. We'll raise a glass to you at the Woodlands, and send you the photos so you can see what you missed.
Please reply by 1 March 2027 (to be confirmed on the invites).
Prefer paper? Tell any of the bridal party and they'll sort it for you.