Wedding of the Week: West Cork vows written in the sand for Emily and Ronan

Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle are wed in Sacred Heart Church, Clonakilty, with reception in Dunowen House

Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

Their love for West Cork meant Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle travelled to Clonakilty to say “I do”.

Emily, from Ballinagar, Offaly, and Ronan, from Dangan, Galway, were married in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Darrara, by Fr Tom Hayes.

Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

They held their reception in Dunowen House, Ardfield.

The bride’s parents, Frances and Ted Brennan, and the groom’s mother and father, Susan and PJ Coyle, helped them plan their dream celebration.

Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle with their guests. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

Emily chose her cousin Ruth Whittaker and friend Claire McWey to be her bridesmaids, and Ronan’s brother Ruairí Coyle and friend Conor Wilson were by his side as groomsmen.

Emily, a solicitor, and Ronan, who works in pharmaceuticals, first met on a night out in the Quays Bar in Galway.

Ronan Coyle with Ruairi Coyle and Conor Wilson. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

“I was working in Dublin at the time and had made a decision to go back to Galway to do a master’s degree— and I met Ronan on the first night I returned,” she says. 

“I had originally only planned on staying in Galway for the year, but after meeting Ronan I ended up staying for six more years.”

Emily Brennan with Ruth Whittaker and Claire McWey. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

Ronan popped the question on November 7, 2021, on the beach in Spiddal.

“I was trying to write our names in the sand and, when I turned around, Ronan was on one knee behind me. I was completely caught off guard — I think that made it all the more special,” Emily says.

Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

They knew from the outset a big wedding wasn’t for them. “We wanted a small intimate occasion,” Emily adds.

“We had 32 guests and it was perfect for us, it felt like a big celebration with just our nearest and dearest.

Emily Brennan with her dad Ted Brennan and Ronan Coyle. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

“We also knew that we wanted to have our wedding in Cork or Kerry, as we both loved spending time there over the years. We stumbled across Dunowen House by looking on Ireland’s Blue Book properties and fell in love with it.

“We went to view it on a wet day in February, and knew right away that it was where we wanted to get married.

Emily Brennan and Ronan Coyle. Pictures: Dermot Sullivan

“Our big day was everything we could have hoped for and more. The Irish weather is so unpredictable and, from the moment we landed in Clonakilty to the moment we left, the sun shone the entire weekend.

“I had contacted anyone I knew who had a Child of Prague statue to put it out for us, so it seemed to pay off.”

Music was a key element of the celebration. “My cousin Wayne Brennan, who is a musician in London, flew back home for our wedding,” the bride says.

“He added such a special touch to the weekend.”

Emily looked elegant in an Anna Kara dress, bought in Pearl Lane Bridal in Galway. The bridal hair and makeup team consisted of makeup artist Laura Campbell and A Cut Above from Clonakilty.

Ronan and his attendants were dapper thanks to Guy Clothing, Tullamore, where the suits were sourced. Wedding photographer Dermot Sullivan ( dermotsullivan.com) was behind the lens, and the Flower Basket, Clonakilty, created the floral décor.

The newlyweds plan to head for France in September to honeymoon along the Côte d’Azur. Emily and Ronan, who have lived in Galway for the past six years, recently relocated to Ballinagar. 

“I managed to convince Ronan to make the move, so we can enjoy a quieter pace of life. We are hoping to start building our family home soon.”

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