Wedding of the Week: Tricia and Gearóid travelled 15,000km to marry in Cork

Tricia Delaney and Gearóid Hurley exchange vows in St Finbarr's Oratory and hold their reception in Dromquinna Manor

Sun, 13 Apr, 2025 - 08:25

Eve Kelliher

West Cork couple Tricia Delaney and Gearóid Hurley travelled almost 15,000km to exchange vows in their home county. Tricia, from Schull, and Bantry native Gearóid were married in St Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra, by Fr James McSweeney, Carrigaline parish, and held their reception at Dromquinna Manor, Co Kerry.

Tricia, a remote and regional emergency nurse in Western Australia, and Gearóid, a mechanical fitter, first met on a night out in Skibbereen 13 years ago. “We began texting after and had our first date on Barleycove beach,” says Tricia.

Tricia Delaney and Gearóid Hurley. Pictures: Sarah Kate Photography

They now live in Perth but a decade after that first rendezvous, the same seaside setting beckoned for their engagement. “Gearóid decided to propose a year and a half after we moved to Australia,” says Tricia.

Tricia Delaney with Lorraine Hurley, Megan O'Brien and Olivia Derengowska.

“It was on our first trip back to Ireland, on September 20, 2023, and he asked me to marry him, after he’d asked my parents and only brother, Luke, for permission!”

Tricia’s parents, Geraldine (Ger) and Richie Delaney, were there to celebrate on the big day as was the groom’s mother and father, Martha and Gerard Hurley.

The groom with his parents, Gerard Hurley, Martha Hurley and Gearóid Hurley. Pictures: Sarah Kate Photography

Luke was one of two members of the wedding party to arrive from Australia for the occasion.

“Lorraine Hurley, Gearóid’s youngest sister, was the maid of honour and Luke was the best man,” says Tricia.

The bride with her parents: Richie Delaney, Tricia Delaney and Geraldine Delaney. Pictures: Sarah Kate Photography

“Both Luke and Lorraine also live in Perth. Megan O’Brien and Olivia Derengowska, friends who worked with me in the ED at Cork University Hospital, were my bridesmaids, and Gearóid’s brothers, Sean Hurley and Stephen Hurley, were the groomsmen.”

The couple always wanted a small wedding. “We decided to have our ceremony in Gougane Barra as that is where Tricia’s parents got married 34 years ago,” says Gearóid.

Tricia Delaney and Gearóid Hurley with their wedding party. Pictures: Sarah Kate Photography

Both agree the day was “the best of our lives”, adds Tricia. “There was so much love and joy on the occasion,” she adds.

“The ceremony in Gougane Barra was very intimate and casual and the reception at Dromquinna was exceptional. We had the best fun and didn’t leave the dancefloor all night.”

Deborah Murphy (@bespoke_wedding_music) provided the music for the ceremony and drinks reception and The Buachaills ensured dancing continued into the night after the meal.

As for advice to other brides and grooms-to-be? “Forget about everything and everyone else on the wedding day and focus on why you are there in the first place. If things go wrong, you will probably laugh later so just let it go!” says Tricia.

The bride looked super-chic in a Hera Couture gown she sourced in Aubrey Rose in Perth. “It was altered by Ilka Bridal Studio & Alterations in Perth,” she says. “Interestingly, Ilka has altered some of the dresses for MAFS [reality TV series Married at First Sight] Australia!

“I had my great grandmother Hannah Downey’s wedding ring blessed and wore it on the day along with my new wedding and engagement rings. My maid of honour also gave me a crystal guardian angel that was my ‘something blue’.”

The hairstylist and makeup artist were Debbie McCarthy (@bridalbyhoneybee) and Maria Coleman (@mariacolemanmakeup).

Gearóid and his party were dapper in tuxes and styled by Catherine Deasy at Deasy suit Hire (@deasysuithire). Pristine Classics chauffeured the bride and groom.

The bride and groom with Geraldine and Richie Delaney and Gerard and Martha Hurley.

Photographer Sarah Kate Murphy ( sarahkatephotography.ie and @sarahkatemurphyphotography) and videographer Olga Dragon (@seaforestfilms) were behind the camera and Paradise Flowers, Bantry, created the floral arrangements.

The newlyweds, who are still looking forward to deciding on their honeymoon destination, plan to settle down in Australia. “We absolutely love living in Perth. The quality of life there is amazing,” says Tricia.