GETTING to the church on time was not a problem for
Killarney motorcycle enthusiasts Katriona Lynch and Seamie Morrissey
who supplied their own spectacular mode of transport for their big
day.
And considering their paths first crossed at a biker rally, in
Fermanagh several years ago, it was only fitting that this bride and
groom revved up on a trusty Honda 50 and Jaguar trike as they wound
their way through the Black Valley, where they exchanged wedding vows
on Friday.
Katriona, from Knock-asartnett, Killarney, and Seamie, a native of
Mullina-hone, Co Tipperary, planned a big day with a difference --and
it certainly celebrated their passion for motorcycles.
The couple, who are based in Beaufort and are members of the
Killarney Motorcycle Club, decided to set a date at Christmas.
“We were going to get married in Prague but we live across the road
from the Black Valley and we could think of nowhere more beautiful
than there for our wed-ding day,” Katriona told The Kingdom.
About 80 of their 150 guests travelled by motorbike on the wedding
day, with the remainder arriving by jaunting car through the scenic
Black Valley to the wedding ceremony, which was led by Beaufort PP Fr
Mícheál " Dochartaigh.
Guests of honour included the bride’s parents Pat and Mary Lynch
and the groom’s mother Tess Morrissey.
The bride, who wore a gown by Causeway designer
Caroline Leahy, chose her friend Mathona O’Connor,
Killarney, to be her bridesmaid, while the groom’s friend Murty
Campion, Kilkenny, was best man.
Katriona also decorated her own motorcycle, a Honda 50, with
love-hearts and was driven to the church as her friend Tom Coffey’s
passenger.
Tom’s wife Bríd Coffey, Fossa, meanwhile, made the wedding cake for
the event.
Like best man Murty, bridesmaid Mathona also arrived on a Honda 50,
with hers driven by Brendan Heffernan.
And though motorcycles and fairies are not usually images that one
would associate with each other, Katriona combined the two with
stylish ease for the wedding reception at Kate Kearney’s Cottage.
Elaborate wildflower arrangements caught the eye in the reception
venue, as did a host of fairy-themed ornaments.
Friends and family travelled from across Ireland as well as Norway,
India and Australia for the big day.
Entertainment on offer at the reception included performances by
circus act the Fanzini Brothers, who pogo-sticked over the bride at
one stage.
Meanwhile a pig-on-a-spit satisfied the appetites of diners later
that night.
The couple, who have travelled the globe together, will spend their
honeymoon in Poland.