September 2020. LYIT Donegal v the Eagles, a hall full of noise and squeaking trainers.
Across the court, Niall caught Orlaith’s eye and gave her one thumb, up. That was the whole move. Reader, it worked.
Later that night: Shake Dog
After a night out, the late-night takeaway in Limerick. This is where they properly talked for the first time.
1 chicken for Niall
1 cheese and garlic chips for Orlaith
Two proud counties
Orlaith is proudly Limerick: the Huskies, the Shannon, King John’s Castle. Niall is proudly Derry: the Walls, the Guildhall, the Peace Bridge.
Between them, 360 km of road. Both basketball mad. She teaches a primary class; he works for Basketball Ireland.
Two years in Dubai
Orlaith lived in Dubai for two years. She loved it, and there’s family out there still.
Niall flew out five times. Five. The towers started to recognise him.
Kilkee
Kilkee, County Clare. Her favourite place in the world, and the summers of her childhood. Cliffs, sea, wind.
Up on the cliffs, Niall asked the question.
She said yes.The full story is still being written for this page.
The day
Friday 23 April 2027. Monaleen Church, Castletroy, at 1:00 PM (doors 12:30), with Monsignor Dan Neenan. Then the Woodlands Hotel and Spa, Adare, for the rest of the day and most of the night.
The bride arrives in a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. The order of the day is just after the story.
The Treehouse: Day 2
Saturday 24 April 2027, from 4:00 PM, at the Treehouse in the Woodlands.
Everyone is welcome. No second list, no small print. Come as you are, bring Friday’s stories, and stay for the craic.
The day, in order
Friday 23 April 2027. Working plan, final times with the invites.
12:30Doors open at Monaleen Church, Castletroy. Come early if you’re fussy about pews.
1:00 PMThe ceremony, with Monsignor Dan Neenan. Music from Jessica Brett. The time may move to 1:30; the invites will confirm.
2:30Off to Adare, about 25 minutes to the Woodlands Hotel and Spa. The bride goes by 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.
thenDrinks on arrival, with Jessica Brett playing.
5:00Dinner.
dessertSpeeches, served with dessert, which seems fair.
8:30The Bentley Boys, then the DJ.
lateCarriages. Late. Very late.
And on Saturday
The Treehouse at the Woodlands, Saturday 24 April 2027, from 4:00 PM. Day 2 is for everyone. Food, music, and a full review of Friday.
Count with us
1thumbs-up
2proud counties
2years in Dubai
5flights
298guests, roughly
23.04.27the date
The wedding party
Cut from the same sheet. Unfold them.
With Orlaith
Sarah Jane
chief bridesmaid
Avril Crosse
bridesmaid
Rhea McMahon
bridesmaid
Laura
bridesmaid
With Niall
Best man
to be announced
Feargal McDermott
groomsman
Gary Campbell
groomsman
Sean Doherty
groomsman
Ciaran Lockhart
groomsman
Officiating: Monsignor Dan Neenan. Pictures: Black Diamond Photography. Moving pictures: MDA Productions. Music: Jessica Brett at the church and the drinks, then The Bentley Boys and the DJ. Wheels: a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.
The scrapbook
Stuck in with paper corners. More pages after the day.
Two cups, one house.
Dubai: piggyback across the dunes.
Windswept, and happy about it.
Photo booth: three takes, no regrets.
Ski Dubai: meeting the locals.
Spain, golden hour.
Las Vegas: arms up.
The ring makes its debut.
Getting here, and staying over
Getting here
Monaleen Church, Castletroy, Limerick. Doors 12:30, ceremony 1:00 PM. Open the map
The Woodlands Hotel and Spa, Adare. The reception, and Saturday’s Treehouse. About 25 minutes from the church. Open the map
From Derry: 360 km, about four and three quarter hours on the western road: Lifford, Ballybofey, Donegal Town, Ballyshannon, Sligo (wave at Benbulben), Knock, Claremorris, Tuam, Gort, Ennis, Shannon, then into Limerick. From Belfast: the M1 then the M7, about four hours. From Dublin: the M7, about two and a half.
Flying in? Shannon is 30 minutes away and the easy choice. Cork is about one and three quarter hours by road; Dublin about two and a half after landing.
Parking: plenty at the Woodlands. Church parking notes come with the invites. Car sharing very welcome, especially for the northern convoy.
Taxis: local numbers come with the invites. Whatever the hour, the hotel desk will call one for you.
Staying over
The Woodlands itself, first. Ring and say you’re with the wedding. Those rooms go early.
The Dunraven Arms in Adare village, about five minutes away.
Limerick city, 25 minutes, with plenty of rooms: the Strand, the Clayton, the George.
April in Ireland means all four seasons before the soup. Everything happens indoors, apart from the photos. Bring a coat.
Lift the flaps
Questions on top, answers underneath. Tap a flap.
What should I wear?
Your good clothes, in any colour you like. Two rules, both firm: nothing white unless you’re the bride, and no club jerseys. Either club. Yes, even that one.
Is Saturday really for everyone?
Really. The Treehouse at the Woodlands, Saturday 24 April from 4:00 PM. No second list, no small print. Come along.
Can I bring the children?
Your invite names everyone it’s for. Check it when it lands in the new year, and just ask if anything’s unclear.
Phones in the church?
The ruling comes with the invites. Either way, Black Diamond Photography and MDA Productions have the pictures covered, so you can just be there.
What about gifts?
Having you there is the gift. There’ll be a card box on the day, quietly. That’s all we’ll say.
When do I need to reply?
By 1 March 2027 (to be confirmed on the invites). Early is lovely.
Is the reply card real?
Not yet. This one is a proof copy. The real one, which finds your name and your household, goes live before the invites go out.
What if it rains?
It’s April in Ireland, so expect all four seasons before the soup. Everything is indoors except the photos. Bring a coat.
The reply card
Reply by 1 March 2027(to be confirmed on the invites).
Proof copy: the real reply card goes live with the invites.
Reply card inside
You’re in the book.
Lovely. We can’t wait to see you. This was the proof copy, so nothing was sent yet: when the real card goes live with the invites, this is exactly how it works.
We’ll miss you.
Thanks for letting us know. There’ll be a page kept for you all the same, and we’ll send you the pictures.
Prefer paper? Tell any of the bridal party and they’ll fill it in for you.
