27 Hours, 46 Seconds

When I look back on 2009, one of the highlights will definitely be the Oxfam Ireland Trailtrekker Event that took place in the Mourne Mountains a few weeks ago. Liam's bright idea, it was always going to be tough to hike 100km in under 30 hours. Whatever ideas I had of documenting the journey were quickly dispelled - the pro camera was left in the support car and I brought a small point and shoot that barely came out of the rucksack, as we concentrated on putting one foot in front of another. But we made it, blistered and sore, well under the target time and with 4 grand raised for a worthy cause. The Guinness tasted good that night.

Aoife & Donnacha

For lots of reasons, it's been a while since I've posted here, but now I intend to catch up with quite a bit I missed out on, starting with Aoife & Donnacha's brilliant wedding in Castle Leslie. If you want to see more of this, check out Niall's video clip on Complete Weddings.

The venue was gorgeous, the bride was beautiful, Captain Merrick brought his Ferrari, Donnacha singing the first dance to Aoife left not a dry eye in the house, the guests danced the night away, and the girl who wanted it most caught the bouquet. A perfect recipe for a photographer.

Lisa & Vincent

St Ultan's in Killinkere was the venue for Lisa & Vincent's wedding, and then we headed east across the Boyne to Glebe House and the City North Hotel for the celebrations. Lisa & Vincent moved out of Dublin to enjoy the good life in the country a while back, so now they bring their designer wellies with them everywhere. It was a first for me to see a bride in wellies, but seeing Lisa looking so good in them, it might just catch on.

Aoife & Donnacha

Just quickly putting up two for Aoife & Donnacha from their wedding in the beautiful Castle Leslie yesterday. The party continues tonight on Moon River, so this is a suitably water-based picture. And when I heard the annual conference of the Irish UFO Society is on here in Boyle this weekend I thought I just had to post one of the sky lanterns.

We had a brilliant day, night and early hours of the morning, and even got a show-stopping set from Donnacha and Late Nite Radio in the middle of it all last night. More to follow soon.

Nora & James

I had another local wedding, this time in Ballyfarnon and Kilronan Castle, when Nora married Galwayman, James. Nora is probably the most petite bride I've photographed, and she looked stunning on the day - James didn't look too bad either. The picture of all the guests was meant to replicate one Nora's parents have in their album since they got married in the same church over thirty years ago. I didn't see the original, but hope I've come close.

Paula & Ruairi

I had a local Boyle event last week, when I photographed Paula & Ruairi's wedding in St Joseph's. Their reception was in the Landmark in Carrick, where as usual Patricia looked after everyone wonderfully.

Hay Fever

The recent spell of good weather has had tractors, mowers and balers out in force for a second cut of silage. It's been nice to see a little bit of sunshine again.

Three Weddings

One from each of three IWP weddings earlier in the summer when we still had some sunshine- in the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone, the Lough Erne Golf & Spa Resort, Enniskillen and the Clarion in Sligo.

Marcella & Gerry

After two IWP weddings, in the Landmark Hotel and Castle Dargan, I was back in the Landmark yesterday for the second time in a week to photograph Gerry and Marcella’s wedding. Marcella arrived to the church in style in a pony and trap - it was an action-packed day with loads going on and lots of stops along the way. Gerry and Marcella took everything in their stride, and with Eamon from Big Apple Video, we even managed to replicate that scene from Titanic before the storm arrived.