Kerry
Elopement
From Kentucky to Kerry -
A dream Ireland elopement
Surrounded by a small group of family and friends, Ann and Brad celebrated their day in Cahersiveen, exchanging vows enveloped by the breathtaking Irish countryside. The couple had met online, quickly falling head over heels in love, before choosing to travel from Kentucky all the way to Ireland for a bit of Celtic magic on their wedding day. Their elopement was truly a trip to remember. They spent five days taking in the sights in Dublin, Galway, and Kerry, before settling into charming Cahersiveen for the main event. The couple knew they wanted to exchange their vows in the most dramatic and romantic setting — a cliff overlooking the ocean — and Ireland certainly offers dramatic vistas at every turn!
There was a group welcome dinner the night before, to celebrate with 15 friends and family who had joined them for the trip of a lifetime. Their loved ones were a huge part of the event, and Ann was surrounded by her nearest and dearest as they did bridal prep at the lovely Skellig Suite at Quinlan & Cooke Townhouse, getting those intimate moments with loved ones even a world away from home.
The ceremony itself was beyond picturesque. The Irish weather can be a full of surprises, the wind had picked up a little so we decided to move the ceremony location to Cahergall Stone Fort. This iconic landmark is not only full of intricate and impressive stonework, but it has stood proudly for 1500 years — a perfect place to form a strong marital foundation. The fort’s structure has been a major landmark since it was built in the Iron Age (perfect for a 6th anniversary revisit, perhaps!).
After the ceremony, the guests were whisked away to the Skellig Six 18 Distillery, to “savor the taste of the Atlantic” with some premium whiskey and gin tasting. Meanwhile, the couple had a chance to savor the incredible Skellig coastline and some of the beautiful and rugged Irish backdrops. Stones, hills, greens, and sea were all there, to really bring the romance and grandeur of the occasion to the fore.
Later in the afternoon the winds had calmed, we visited the Kerry Cliffs for photos, where they were also able to make their dream of exchanging vows on a clifftop come true as they shared personal vows overlooking the sea. They visited Valentia Island, a stunning 7-mile stretch that makes up one of Ireland's most westerly points, before heading to Ballycarbery Castle, which sits on a beautiful grassy hill just outside of Cahersiveen. The beautiful surroundings gave the couple some quiet moments together, while the rest of the wedding guests got the party started.
And it was quite the party. After a group dinner, the knees-up really began with speeches from family members and, of course, a memorable first dance. The dancing and celebrations continued into the early hours (the Irish whiskey may have helped!), which felt like a perfect way to celebrate their elopement. But the couple wasn’t done exploring. Keen to soak in even more of Ireland’s beauty, they spent a few days in Cork and Killarney. And having already crossed the Atlantic, it was an easy trip over to Greece for their honeymoon — a benefit of eloping to Europe! A long way from Kentucky, but definitely worth the trip.
Vendors:
Planner: Emerald Weddings
Photographer: Nick O'Keeffe
Officiant: Caroline Mc Carthy
Florals: Flowers by Joesphine
Hair & Makeup: Tricia O'Sullivan
Venue: Quinlan & Cooke