Wedding of the Week: From Sydney to Kerry as school sweethearts say 'I do'

Marie Murphy and Chris Nagle exchange vows in Gneeveguilla followed by reception in Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee

Marie Murphy and Chris Nagle. Pictures: Tara Donoghue Photography

Sat, 30 Sep, 2023 - 02:00

Eve Kelliher

September's a month that rings in changes for many, and so it was when Kerry couple Marie Murphy and Chris Nagle first met almost two decades ago.

Marie, from Gneeveguilla, and Chris, Rathmore, had taken their seats at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore when they set eyes on one another. “We
finally got together as an item when we were in sixth year, in 2009, having been in the same class from first year, and we’ve been inseparable ever since,” says Marie, a midwife.

Willow Murphy and Dylan and Oisin Nagle. Pictures: Tara Donoghue Photography

She and Chris, a mechanical fitter, moved to Australia five years ago but returned from their Sydney base to their home county to get engaged, in June 2019.

That was while enjoying a break at their favourite hotel, the Europe Hotel in Killarney. “Despite our being together for so long, Chris still managed to surprise me when he dropped to one knee while strolling by the lake there,” says Marie.

Marie Murphy and Paddy Murphy walking up the aisle. Pictures: Tara Donoghue Photography

And from school bells to wedding chimes, they were back in Kerry again to exchange vows, in May 2023. “This was the third date we had set, after postponements and many cancelled flights, due to that little thing called covid,” says Marie.

Fr Pat O’Donnell led the Mass, in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Gneeveguilla, and the reception took place in Ballygarry Estate Hotel and Spa, Tralee.

Marie Murphy and Chris Nagle with Elaine Murphy, Isabel Counihan, Pa Kelliher and Patrick Nagle. Pictures: Tara Donoghue Photography

Marie’s sister Elaine Murphy was her maid of honour and her childhood friend Isabel Counihan was her bridesmaid while Pa Kelliher, Chris’s friend, was his best man and his brother Patrick Nagle, was his groomsman.

The bride’s nephews Dylan and Oisin Murphy and the groom’s nephews Kristian and Killian Nagle joined forces as pageboys and Marie’s niece Willow Murphy was the flowergirl. “They made us laugh and giggle all day, especially with their cute antics in the church during the ceremony,” says Marie.

The bride’s dad Paddy walked her up the aisle and the groom’s mum Joan helped them plan the event. The couple lit a candle in memory of Marie’s mother, the late Breda Murphy, who “was truly missed on the day”, says the bride. “Our families and friends made the occasion so special. We felt so loved,” adds Marie. “So many friends and relatives travelled from across the country and the world to be with us.”

The bride's mother Breda was in their thoughts on the occasion.

Marie looked elegant in a Pronovias gown she sourced in Sydney in 2019. “It had been hidden in a friend’s wardrobe for three years,” she says. The bridal hairstyling and makeup were by her cousin Aileen Brosnan and Aideen McCarthy Makeup. The groom and his party wore suits from Ryles Menswear in Tralee.

Husband and wife duo Dave Laing and Tara Donoghue of Tara Donoghue Photography and LM Videography were behind the lens. “They made us so relaxed and really captured the essence of the day,” says Marie.

Breeda Nagle of Sliabh Luachra Florists created the décor and bouquets and the cake was by O’Carroll’s Cakes, Killarney.

“We tragically lost our amazing dog Milo in the run-up to the wedding but we still managed to make him part of the occasion, by featuring his image in many ways, including on our cake,” says the bride.