I always love an excuse to return to Galway, and especially to Salthill where I lived for a few years quite a while ago. Eileen and Michael’s wedding at The Ardilaun (with ceremony at the iconic Claddagh church) was just that excuse, and I was even happier when we decided to do some photos by the diving boards at Blackrock – that most famous of Galway swimming spots.
The reception Eileen and Michael got all day from the locals was just brilliant – this was a wedding that was taking place after there had been a general lull in weddings due to Covid restrictions and it seemed like people were genuinely happy to see newly weds walking about again.
After the ceremony we stopped briefly at The Claddagh for some shots with the Long Walk in the background and car horns beeped as Eileen and Michael walked the short distance there from the church. Our next stop before arriving at The Ardilaun was Blackrock where the large number of people gathered cheered loudly as the couple made their way right to the top for a photo. No, they didn’t jump in!
It was such a great moment, and a real highlight on what was a lovely wedding day. With dancing on hold at the time, I left them as they sat for dinner with their guests, and took myself back down to the prom in Salthill for a walk, because there’s no better way to finish a day’s work than that!
