Eleven years ago, a chance meeting at Cork’s Holy Cow nightclub led to wedding bells for Cork couple Emma (née McCarthy) and Eamonn McSweeney.
Emma, from Agada, and Eamon, from Bandon, crossed paths while out with friends and the rest, they say, is history.
Eamonn proposed to Emma during a visit to Muckross House and Gardens in Killarney in 2023. “I was very shocked. I wasn’t expecting it at all. I couldn’t believe my eyes, so I forced him to get down on one knee the second time,” Emma said.
More than 200 family and friends joined the couple for the celebration.
Last December, the couple returned to County Kerry and were married by celebrity Jessica Bradley at the Ballygally Estate Hotel and Spa in Tralee. “She was amazing and made the ceremony so personal,” the couple said.
“Eamonn wanted to get married and blurted out ‘I want to get married’ before he was asked. We all had a good laugh,” Emma said.
The bride purchased her Made with Love dress from Lucy at Bella Blue on the South Mall. “She knew exactly what looked good on me and helped me choose the perfect dress,” Emma said.
On the day it was Emma, Eamon, bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Make-up was by Sarah Cummins and hair by Maureen McCarthy, with help from her mother Frances.
The suit had been purchased from Morley’s in Cork. “They looked great too. Eamonn wore a black velvet jacket to be a bit different from the groomsmen and fathers.”
They were supported by bridesmaids Niamh Cashman, Katie McCarthy (now Sisk), Donna McCarthy and Aoife Holland, and groomsmen James McSweeney, Dean Ellis, Chris Carey and Adam Tobin. “They went above and beyond for us,” the couple said.
“Eamonn’s godfather, Jamesy McSweeney, was our absolutely lovely page boy. He was wonderful,” Emma said.
Friends and family traveled from far and wide to join the couple on the day, including Emma’s godfather Martin and sons Coneill and Darragh, who flew in from Perth, Australia, to celebrate.
Other family members were from the UK, and his friend Gavin, who was at the venue the night the couple met, traveled all the way from Canada with his fiancée Armie to attend. “We couldn’t believe the effort everyone made to travel for us,” the couple said.
After the ceremony, the couple held a reception at a hotel for their guests.
No doubt there was some surprise when the Garda arrived at the celebration.
Eamonn proposed to Emma during a visit to Muckross House and Gardens in Killarney in 2023.
“I had prepared a little surprise for Eamonn and the guests. Just as the meal was finishing, the Garda arrived. He announced to the crowd that he had recovered a stolen van, which happened to belong to the groom. Eamonn had to go to the station to fill in some paperwork, but we were confident he would make it in time for the first dance. As we left, Eamonn caught a glimpse of him turning on the speaker and started running. The whole room started singing Abba songs and the guests went wild and we all ended up dancing on our chairs… I’m definitely grateful to Singers Secret for pulling it off.”
Music for the reception was by the Pat Fitz Band. “They were great and the dance floor was packed.”
Photo by Breda Daly of Lovestory Photography. “I can’t say enough about her,” Emma said. The video was shot by Colin Hickey of Orchid Pictures. “He was also great, really calm and calm.”
The couple praised the “fantastic” staff at Ballygalley. “They went above and beyond with outstanding service.”
Asked what the most memorable part of the day was, the bride said: “Each part of the day was so special for different reasons, but walking down Virgin Road was definitely incredibly special. I couldn’t wait to meet Eamon, him and me.”
