Brian O'Driscoll & Amy Huberman

Aughavas and Lough Rynn became the centre of media attention today as Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman got married in Lovely Leitrim. I was very happy to be invited to photograph events at the church today. Security was tight, there was a big media presence and large numbers of the public gathered to wish the happy couple well. This wasn't a closed off celebrity-style wedding behind high walls - no deals with glossy magazines. Before the ceremony Brian mingled with the crowd who'd come to share in the excitement, and other well-known guests did likewise. As you'd expect there was plenty of glamour, with Amy stealing the show in a stunning Stephanie Allin dress from Myrtle Ivory, complemented by beautiful flowers from Josephine & Brendan of Calla Floral Design, who I've often worked with before.

There's no need to caption these pictures - I'm sure you recognise the faces. It's reassuring to see that even scoring Paris hat-tricks, winning Grand Slams, Triple Crowns, Heineken Cups, Capataining the Lions and generally being the best rugby player on the planet doesn't prevent a groom feeling just a little bit nervous on the morning of his wedding.

Margaret & Eddie

Maggie & Eddie got married last Friday in the beautiful village of Ballintubber. It was a pleasure to photograph - great people, picturesque places, including Conor Daly's shop museum. And I got to work with top men too - the legendary Sean Browne was filming the video and my mate Ger, photographer, designer and webmaster was alongside me for most of the day. The shots of Eddie and his parents and of the four lads striding purposefully to the church are by Ger.

The reception was held in the Galway Bay Hotel, my first time to work there. Great views and staff, with Diarmuid and Peter making everyone very welcome. We even made it down to the beach amongst the holidaymakers for a few minutes. As you can see below, the West of Ireland tradition of lighting bonfires to greet and honour the newly-married couple is alive and well. Abbeyknockmoy was ablaze as we passed through - proving what a popular couple Maggie and Eddie are. And I'm not sure if Eddie Treacy is related to Philip, but just look at that hat extravaganza.....

Randomness

Four quick unrelated pictures that have nothing to do with anything other than that they caught my eye over the last couple of weeks. The tree is just below Cromleach Lodge in the grounds of the ruins of Ballindoon Friary. The street scene looked like Philadelphia, but is actually Mohill. That same evening, crossing the Dublin-Sligo Line tracks at Ardcarne I noticed how the evening sun was reflected in the train tracks. Finally, a quick panoramic I did for the class I've been teaching in the Enterprise Centre in Mohill. 5 portrait shots stitched together. Unlike the past couple of years, the great run of weather means most of the year's hay is saved already.

Barbara & Patrick

I was back up in Dromahair last week, and conditions couldn't have been more different to my last visit. From wind snow and ice to the hottest day of the year so far. The beach in Enniscrone was like Bermuda before we arrived at the Diamond Coast Hotel. This was a very romantic story - Patrick asked Barbara out on their first date 22 years ago. He was the local publican's son, she was the girl next door. Whatever twists and turns they encountered afterwards eventually led them back to each other, and to their wedding day.

Patrick delivered an eloquent, heartfelt speech that had the crowd ooh-ing & aah-ing and sighing wistfully. His best man, Rory, a man of fewer words, spoke equally well, but surprised any of the crowd who'd bet long on the speeches. Barbara, who has been a beauty queen winner on at least one famous occasion in the past looked as lovely as you'd expect.













This picture shows how hard it is to get Leitrim men to move while the match is still on telly.