Paula & Jim

I was back in Tullaghan on Friday, for the second time this year for Paula & Jim's wedding. I'd photographed Jim's sister Jacinta's wedding in March. That day, Enda performed the role of unofficial photographer, and we had a lots of banter throughout the day. He was much quieter on Friday as Best Man - having to carry out his official duties and make the speech obviously concentrated the mind. He did a great job of all of them too.

There was loads of activity when I got to the house where Paula was getting ready for the ceremony. The Smyth clan had all decamped from Cavan and travelled up for the wedding, so there was a good crowd in attendance, tying ribbons, pinning buttonholes and whatnot. Seamus, Paula & Jim's chauffeur for the day, was meticulously polishing an already gleaming car. Mine is a cross between a stable, a kennels, and a photo studio most of the time so I was very impressed to see how Seamus keeps his Audi in showroom condition.

After the ceremony, we spun up the road to Mullaghmore. On such a nice Summer day, it was pretty crowded, and it was quite a challenge to get a shot without hordes of paddlers in the background. So I decided if you can't beat them, join them. The opening shot reminds me a bit of days out at the beach when we were kids in the 70s. To escape the crowds, we headed up onto the foreland before going on the The Landmark in Carrick and the usual warm welcome from Patricia & Emma. Michael Freyne was on video, and the always-brilliant Late Nite Radio kept the crowd on the dancefloor for the night. Paula & Jim are on a bit of a US road trip at the moment, taking in California, Vegas and New York amongst others. Good luck in the Casinos!