Orlaith &Niall

Friday 23 April 2027

201 days  00:00:00  to go

How it grew

From one thumbs-up in 2020 to a church in Monaleen. Five moments, five small arrangements. Scroll slowly: everything here grows as you go.

It started with a thumbs-up

LYIT Donegal v the Eagles · September 2020

A basketball game, and Niall gave Orlaith a thumbs-up. There was no chat-up line, just the thumb. Somehow, it worked.

One primrose. The first flower of spring, for the first sign.

Shake Dog, that night

The late-night takeaway · Limerick

That night they talked properly for the first time, in Shake Dog. Niall got chicken. Orlaith got cheese and garlic chips. Not the most romantic menu in Limerick, but it did the job.

Wild garlic. What else would it be.

Derry and Limerick

Two proud counties · one house

Both basketball mad. Orlaith is proudly Limerick, a Huskies woman and a primary school teacher. Niall is proudly Derry and works for Basketball Ireland. Match days at home are mostly peaceful.

Two cowslips, leaning in.

Dubai

Two years · five flights

Orlaith lived in Dubai for two years. She loves the place and has family there. Niall flew out five times, which is a lot of airport for one man from Derry.

Forget-me-nots. Five open, one for every flight.

Kilkee

Co. Clare · on the cliffs

Her favourite place in the world, where she spent her childhood summers. On the cliffs, Niall asked the question. She said yes.

The full story is still in bud. It opens closer to the day.

One question, one blossom. Apple again: it's our flower now.

So far: 1 thumbs-up, 2 proud counties, 2 years in Dubai, 5 flights, about 298 guests, and one date. 23.04.27

Friday 23 April

Monaleen Church in Castletroy, then the Woodlands in Adare.

  1. 12:30Doors open at Monaleen Church, Castletroy
  2. 1:00 PMThe ceremony, with Monsignor Dan Neenan. Jessica Brett on music.It may move to 1:30. The invites will say for certain.
  3. 2:30Over to Adare, about 25 minutes by road
  4. ArrivalDrinks at the Woodlands, Jessica Brett playing
  5. 5:00Dinner
  6. DessertSpeeches, with dessert to soften them
  7. 8:30The Bentley Boys, then the DJ
  8. LateStill going

Working plan, final times with the invites.

Cherry, opening down the branch as the day goes on.

Saturday at the Treehouse

The day after, at the Treehouse in the Woodlands. Everyone is welcome. Come as you are and bring Friday's stories.

WhenSaturday 24 April 2027, from 4:00 PM
WhereThe Treehouse, the Woodlands Hotel & Spa, Adare
WhoEveryone, Friday crowd or not.

Wild garlic and primroses, like any good Irish wood in late April.

The wedding party

The people standing up with us.

With Orlaith

  • Sarah Janechief bridesmaid
  • Avril Crossebridesmaid
  • Rhea McMahonbridesmaid
  • Laurabridesmaid

With Niall

  • Still in budbest man, named soon
  • Feargal McDermottgroomsman
  • Gary Campbellgroomsman
  • Sean Dohertygroomsman
  • Ciaran Lockhartgroomsman

Monsignor Dan Neenan officiates. Black Diamond Photography and MDA Productions have the photos and the film. Jessica Brett plays the church and the drinks. The Bentley Boys bring the band and the DJ. And a 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud does the driving.

Four primroses for the bridesmaids. Four cherry blossoms for the groomsmen, and a bud for the best man.

Getting here

From Derry360 km, about 4¾ hours down the west: Lifford, Ballybofey, Donegal Town, Ballyshannon, Sligo under Benbulben, Knock, Claremorris, Tuam, Gort, Ennis, Shannon, and into Limerick.
Belfast, DublinBelfast is about four hours, M1 then M7. Dublin is about two and a half on the M7.
By airShannon is 30 minutes away and the easy one. Cork is about 1¾ hours by road, Dublin about 2½.
ParkingPlenty at the Woodlands. Church parking notes come with the invites. Share a car if you can.
TaxisLocal numbers come with the invites, and the hotel desk will always ring you one.

Monaleen Church on the mapThe Woodlands on the map

Cowslips, the verge flower of an Irish April. Watch for them on the way down.

Where to stay

The WoodlandsStay where the party is. Ring the hotel and say you're with the wedding: those rooms go early. Saturday's Treehouse is on the doorstep.
Adare villageThe Dunraven Arms, about five minutes away.
Limerick cityAbout 25 minutes, with plenty of beds: the Strand, the Clayton, the George.

Cherry by the door.

Good questions

What should I wear?

Your good clothes, and colour is welcome. Two rules: no white, that's the bride's, and no club jerseys. Either club. Yes, even that one.

Is Saturday really for everyone?

Yes. The Treehouse at the Woodlands, Saturday 24 April, from 4:00 PM. No fine print.

Can the kids come?

Your invite names everyone it's for. If you're not sure, just ask us.

Phones at the ceremony?

We'll tell you with the invites. Black Diamond and MDA have the photos and film covered either way, so you can simply be there.

Gifts?

Having you there is the gift. Honestly.

What will the weather do?

April in Limerick: sun, showers, sun again. Everything is indoors. Bring a coat for the photos.

When do I need to reply by?

1 March 2027, to be confirmed on the invites. Early is lovely.

Is the reply form real?

Not yet. It's a working demo for now and goes live with the invites, when your name will bring up everyone on your invite.

Primroses, three open and one thinking about it.

Will you come?

Still a seedling: this form goes live with the invites. Try it now; nothing is sent.

When it goes live, your name brings up everyone on your invite.

Friday 23 April, the wedding
Saturday 24 April, the Treehouse

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.

Forget-me-nots. Blue for yes.