Wedding of the Week: Fairytale-castle big day in Kerry for Limerick bride and groom
Aoife O’Sullivan and Derek McCarthy with family and guests. Pictures: Emily Doran Photography
Sometimes you believe you know exactly what type of wedding you'll want, but when you start planning, the opposite is the case.
That’s how things panned out for Limerick bride and groom Aoife O’Sullivan and Derek McCarthy.
“We had thought an intimate celebration would be our vibe but it quickly grew to a wonderful large gathering – with my dad inviting lots of friends along the way!” says Aoife, from Kilmallock.
The couple first met 17 years ago on a night out in Kilmallock.
“Derek’s from Ardpatrick, the next village a few kilometres away,” says Aoife.
"We had lots of mutual friends but we had never met before. We moved to England for a few years before coming home to settle in Kilmallock.”
They crossed the border to Kerry for their engagement in September 2022.
“Derek dropped to one knee on Banna beach with the most beautiful solitaire that he and my mum Teresa had spent weeks sourcing. He wanted her to be part of the experience, which I love. They both knew when they had found the perfect ring,” says Aoife.
It was back to the Kingdom for the big day. “We spent our entire wedding day at Ballyseede Castle,” says the bride.
The historic building and its impressive grounds were the romantic backdrop to the ceremony, reception and photoshoot, led by Emily Doran of Emily Doran Photography (emilydoran.com).
“It's an amazing place. My parents, Teresa and Denis O'Sullivan, my brother Rory and his wife Laura, along with Derek’s parents John and Lilia McCarthy, checked in with us the day before the wedding and spent a blissful weekend at the castle,” adds Aoife.
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Both the venue and its wedding-planning team were key to the couple realising their big-day dream, they add, as did their bridesmaid and best man, Noreen Sheedy and Ian McCarthy.
"Noreen was my only bridesmaid, there's nobody else I would have wanted my side. She was amazing and went above and beyond in every aspect. She really took care of me! Derek's brother Ian was his best man and he designed our fabulous invitations," says the bride.
“Ballyseede exceeded our expectations with spectacular food, atmosphere and service. Mary Lyons thought of every detail to ensure we had the perfect day. Noreen Sheedy's love and support made the lead-up to our wedding and our wedding day so relaxing and we enjoyed every moment.”
The bride looked elegant in a Catherine Deane design and the groom and his party wore tuxes.
“I bought my dress in The Attic bridal store in Limerick and Esquire kitted out the men in stunning midnight-blue tuxedo,” says Aoife.
The hair and makeup team also added to the joy of the occasion, as did the other suppliers.
“Marie O'Leary Hair and Make-up by Maeve had us looking the part,” says Aoife.
“Maura's Cottage Flowers in Tralee created our beautiful flowers and The Cheese Shop in Tralee produced a spectacular cake made of local cheese. Pressed Flowers by Nell have dried my bouquet."
Aoife is a technician in Fogarty's pharmacy in Kilmallock. “It's an amazing community pharmacy with super staff and it's a great place to work -- the girls I work with were a great help with wedding prep,” she says.
Derek is the director of football at Aisling Annacotty Football Club in Limerick.
Bali beckoned for their honeymoon. “We headed off for three blissful weeks in paradise,” says Aoife.
- If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email eve.kelliher@examiner.ie
