Irish rugby legend marries in style! July 22, 2010

It would be remiss of me as a professional involved in the wedding industry in Ireland not to comment of one of the big celebrity weddings in Ireland for 2010! Brian O’Driscoll is a rugby legend in Ireland and early this month he married actress and author Amy Huberman . I really wanted to share these images with you as I thought it was so refreshing to see Brian and Amy having a classic, stylish, elegant wedding – something rare amongst celebrities these days.

Enjoy !! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48TiFpmI1W0&feature=related and

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/7870347/Brian-ODriscoll-and-Amy-Huberman-marry-in-Ireland.html

Week 5 : Galway July 7, 2010

This is the last in the series that I am going to do but please feel free to email me at michelle@waterlilyweddings.com if you are heading to Ireland and would like information on a county that I have not covered.

1. Galway City is both the centre of the Irish speaking regions in the West and a lively University Town.  It is a very pedestrian friendly town and the best way to take in its history and sights and sounds is on foot. Walk from Eyre Sq, to Spanish Arch and up to the Cathedral of St Nicholas.  Stop on route for some wonderful food in one of the many great pubs and café’s on Shop Street.
2. The Aran Islands: If you want a slice of real old Ireland then a trip over to the Aran Islands is a must. Visit Inis Mor , the largest of the 3 islands and make sure to walk up to Dun Aonghassa. Ferries operate daily from Rossaveal www.aranislandferries.com
3. Clifden: the drive to and from Clifden through the rugged Commemara countryside is simply breath taking.  It truly is the area of Ireland that people dream of when they think about visiting Ireland. Clifden is a wonderful village with lots to do and see – if you make it out there stay over night and enjoy some traditional Irish music in one of the many pubs there! www.connemara.ie
4. Kylemore Abbey: A stunning example of gothicsque architecture and the love of a wealth tycoon for his wife as he built it for her in 19^th Century. www.kylemoreabbey.com
5. The Galway Races Summer Festival: I do not normally recommend a sporting event but this is a racing week like no other. Get dressed up – ladies a fancy hat is a must – and enjoy the fun and frolics of this wonderful festival. www.galwayraces.com/ladies-day-galway-races

WEEK FOUR: Dublin City – the nation’s capital June 25, 2010

I am trying to write this as if I were recommending the top “must see” places to a friend who only has two days in the Capital.  If you are going for longer please let me know and I will recommend more things to take in!

1. Sightseeing Tour Bus: This is definitely one of the best ways to see the city. Pop on one of the open top buses at St. Stephen’s Green and take a guided tour of the cities top sights. www.dublinsightseeing.ie
2. Guinness Storehouse: Even if you are not a lover of the black stuff the top of the Storehouse has the best Ariel view of Dublin City and mountains – stunning! www.guinness-storehouse.com
3. Trinity College: This 400 year old college is in the centre of Dublin City and houses the world famous Book of Kells www.tcd.ie
4. Literary Pubcrawl: This is a very novel way of hearing the history of Dublin, Irish literary, the cities architecture and the world famous pubs! www.dublinpubcrawl.com lots of fun!!
5. The National Museum of Ireland: To really understand the Ireland of old visit some of the wonderful museums in the city centre. www.museum.ie

Week 3 of tourist hot spots by county June 13, 2010

County Cork: It is hard to narrow it down to a top 5 in Cork – it is just such a great county to visit. The best time of year for Cork is definitely May – Oct as most of the fun stuff is outside.

1. Blarney: No trip to Ireland would be complete without  kissing the Blarney stone at the Blarney Castle www.blarneycastle.ie
2. Kinsale: Favorite small fishing village in Ireland and also the Irish gourmet capital! www.kinsale.ie and if you are thinking about getting married there look at www.weddings.kinsale.ie
3. Bantry: Not too far from Kinsale is the beautiful Bantry Bay area www.bantry.ie and stop into Bantry House www.bantryhouse.com for a wonder around this amazing old estate house and gardens
4. Cork City: I vibrant multicultural city with lots to see and do www.tourism.cometocork.ie
5. Pick a village: I love the small villages stopped around the South West coastline of Cork – pick one and enjoy travelling there through old towns and village on the back roads of rural Ireland: Cobh, Youghal, Skibbereen and Baltimore

Week 2 of tourist hot spots by county June 6, 2010

County Clare is simply one of the most amazing Irish counties. It has stunning castles, a beautiful rugged countryside and cliffs on its coast which will literally take your breath away.

 My top 5 in County Clare:

1. The Cliffs of Moher – www.cliffsofmoher.ie
2. A ramble in the stunning, rugged Burren – www.burrennationalpark.ie
3. An afternoon touring Knappogue Castle followed by a medival banquet www.shannonheritage.com/Attractions/KnappogueCastleWalledGarden
4. A pint of Guinness in Gus O’Conner’s Doolin – www.doolin-tourism.com
5. Wondering around Craggaunowen – the Living Past Experience Ireland’s original award winning Pre-historic Park www.shannonheritage.com/Attractions/Craggaunowen/

Top 5 places to visit by county – Ireland! June 1, 2010

 My clients often ask me for recommendations on where do visit while they are touring Ireland so I thought I would take a different county each week and give you my top 5 “must see” places for each one. I will start with Wicklow since that is home!!

1. Powerscourt Waterfall  www.powerscourt.ie  
2. Glendalough www.visitwicklow.ie/attractions/glendalough.htm
3. Stay in Brooklodge www.brooklodge.ie
4. Wicklow mountains and the Wicklow Way www.wicklowway.com
5. Russborough House www.russborough.ie

Stunning Celtic Gowns May 23, 2010

People often ask me about finding the perfect Celtic wedding dress for their wedding in Ireland. I have seen many awful websites and many ridiculous expensive ones so I was delighted when one current bride found this fabulous designer – http://www.lindsayfleming.com/

Irish Wedding Favors April 25, 2010

This website has information on some interesting Irish Traditions you might want to incorporate in your special day as well as some fun favor ideas!

http://www.favorideas.com/wedding-themes/multicultural-themes/ten-ways-to-have-an-irish-wedding/

Volcano in Iceland stops wedding in Ireland!!! April 22, 2010

Who would have thought that a volcano in Iceland could stop a couple from Richmond Virginia from having the wedding of their dreams in Ireland?

I have been working with a couple from Virginia on planning their wedding day in the stunning Ashford Castle for over 18 months. Then last Saturday the 17^th April came, the day for them to fly to Ireland and start the trip of a lifetime. Except a volcano in Iceland which erupted the pervious Thursday completely changed those plans.

The couple finally made it to Dallas on Tuesday but their onward connection to Europe was cancelled. After some emotional turmoil the couple wisely decided to postpone their wedding as even if they could finally manage to get out to Ireland there was no guarantee their family and friends would.

They are know going to travel to Ireland on the exact same day in 2011 and have the wedding they always hoped for with all those close to them there – the silver lining is that more family members may now be able to join them in 2011. Everyone involved from the Castle to the florist have be absolutly wonderful and they all look forward to making sure they have the wedding of a lifetime in April 2011.

Why get married in Ireland? April 8, 2010

Reporter Lorraine DarConte from the Examiner contacted me recently to ask why would people from America bother travelling all the way to Ireland to get married given the current economic climate?? Read the article to hear my response :

 http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-32983-Wedding-Planning-Examiner~y2010m4d6-Emerald-Isle-Weddings