Wedding of the Week: From Kildare to Kerry for five-star celebration

Catríona Crowe and Kevin Grogan say 'I do' in Killarney thanks to groom's family ties with the town

Sat, 18 May, 2024 - 16:57

Eve Kelliher

THEIR paths first crossed in the office, and the groom’s family ties with Killarney meant Catríona Crowe and Kevin Grogan made tracks from their Co Kildare base to Kerry to exchange vows.

Catríona, from Maynooth, where the newlyweds live, and Kevin, from Swords, Co Dublin, were married in the atrium in the five-star Muckross Park Hotel by Helen O’Sullivan of Spiritual Ceremonies, and held the reception in the hotel’s Abbey Suite. “We met each other working in Allianz Insurance and became good friends in 2018,” says the bride.

Catríona Crowe and Kevin Grogan. Pictures: Micheál O’Sullivan Photography, www.osullivanphotographyirl.com

Kevin adds: “Catríona asked me out on a date one Saturday and the rest is history!”

Three years later, in December 2021, Kevin popped the question on Spencer Docks.

Catríona Crowe and Kevin Grogan with Tina and Philip Crowe and Margaret and Oliver Grogan. Pictures: Micheál O’Sullivan Photography, www.osullivanphotographyirl.com

Choosing where to say I do was a “no-brainer”, adds the bride. “Kevin and his family visit Killarney several times a year and I quickly fell in love with the town,” says the bride.

The groom’s maternal grandfather, Seamus O’Donoghue, was born at 25 Plunkett Street (then Henn Street) — which is now where the Porterhouse bar/restaurant is.

His father, Jack O’Donoghue, had married Margaret O’Donoghue, nee Curran, whose father owned a grocery shop on Main Street, Killarney.

Kevin’s great-grandfather and great-grandmother and their sons, Tom and Jack O’Donoghue (Kevin’s great-uncles), are buried in Muckross Abbey.

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As it happens, Muckross Abbey is where the bride and groom’s photographer, Kerry-based Mícheál O’Sullivan (www.osullivanphotographyirl.com), led the couple for their wedding shoot. “Mícheál is absolutely fantastic at what he does, we are so happy with our pictures,” adds Catríona.

The bride’s parents Tina and Philip Crowe, and the groom’s mother and father Margaret and Oliver Grogan, together with the bridal party helped them plan a big day Catríona describes as “completely beyond our wildest dreams”.

Catríona Crowe and Kevin Grogan with their wedding party. Pictures: Micheál O’Sullivan Photography, www.osullivanphotographyirl.com

“My maid of honour was Nessa Ledwith, who is basically like a sister, and my best friends Hollie Mae Clifft and Jenna Harkin and cousin/best friend Rachel Doogan were my bridesmaids,” adds Catríona.

Kevin’s brother Fergal Grogan was his best man and his brother Conor Grogan, brother-in-law Niall Shanahan and friends Aidan Brogan and Stephen Fitzgerald were his groomsmen.

Kevin Grogan with Fergal Grogan, Conor Grogan, Niall Shanahan, Aidan Brogan and Stephen Fitzgerald.

“We wanted the ceremony to be chill and for us to be as relaxed as we could be, and Orla and Niall from Muckross Park Hotel made the organising so seamless,” says the bride.

Catríona looked elegant in a Rosa Clará design sourced in MK Bridal Boutique and Kevin was dapper thanks to Best Menswear.

Joanne Henderson Bridal Hair and Sandra Flynn Beauty were the hair and makeup artists, Tie the Knot created the floral décor and Gabi Cakes made the wedding cake/cupcakes.

What was the highlight of the entire occasion? “Probably Kevin’s brother pretending to choke him with one of the ribbons for the handfasting ceremony.