Wedding of the Week: The Fish Box owner Mícheál marries teacher Aoife in sunny Dingle

Aoife Sheehy and Mícheál Flannery. Pictures: Padraig Healy Wedding Photography
West Kerry bride and groom Aoife Sheehy and Mícheál Flannery exchanged vows in their home town, Dingle.
Aoife, a primary school teacher, and Mícheál, owner of popular eatery The Fish Box, Dingle, were married in St Mary’s Church, Dingle, by Fr Michael Moynihan and held their reception in the Dingle Skellig Hotel.

They met 15 years ago, in January 2010, at a youth club disco. Where all dreams begin!” says Aoife. “We would have known each other beforehand but became acquainted at that one particular disco.”
They got engaged at Glanteenassig Lake on Jun 15, 2023. “Mícheál very spontaneously insisted we go for a walk with our dog Woody and head to Castlegregory for pizza after,” says Aoife.

Woody also put in an appearance on the big day, as did the bride’s fourth class pupils.
The bride’s parents, Mairéad Sheehy and Gerard Sheehy, and the groom’s mother and father, Deirdre and Michael Flannery, played key roles.

“My father-in-law very kindly offered to drive my father and me, along with my niece,” says Aoife. “Many neighbours waved us off as we left, and this set off the tears.
"We arrived at the church to see my fourth class students lined up outside. I heard our beautiful musicians Teresa Horgan and Gerry O Beirne, singing the 'Adore You' rendition by Sidney, it was absolutely stunning.

"My dad wept the whole way up the aisle — he actually stole my thunder and claims he was 'the talk of the town' because of it.”
The bride sourced her wedding dress in Memories, Cork, and the groom was kitted out in Tuxedo, Tralee.

Maire Johnson and Aine McMahon were the hair and makeup duo, and the weather gods were on side from early on.
“From six o'clock that morning when we woke for the appointments to begin, we knew we were in for a gorgeous day. I saw, from bed, that the hairdresser had shared a fabulous [Insta] story looking down over the Conor Pass on her journey up,” says Aoife.

Róisín Sheehy was the maid of honour, and Eimear Murphy, Sharon Greaney and Megan O’Malley were the bridesmaids, with Dara Ryan as the best man and Paul Flannery, Dónal Kennedy and Patrick O’Connor as the groomsmen.
Aoife’s niece Róisín Sheehy was the flowergirl, and Mícheál’s nephews Séamus and Michael Flannery were the pageboys.

After the Mass, the newlyweds joined their guests in Dick Mack's. Their photographer, Padraig Healy of Padraig Healy Wedding Photography (Padraighealy.com) led the photoshoot, which included scenic Binn Bán.
“Our pictures are amazing and we will never get tired of looking at them,” says Aoife. “We then rejoined our guest at our drinks reception, where the vibe was fantastic. The sun was shining, Craig Counihan was singing, and people were sipping on their Aperol Spritzes.”

Later, after the meal at the Dingle Skellig, Truly Diverse and DJ Eamon Dowd ensured the dance floor was the place to be. “We had been told that Truly Diverse were electric, and they were. The energy was phenomenal.
“We knew the Skellig would be superb, and the views are amazing. We focused on choosing good music and entertainment for the day of and our Day Two.”

Videographer Pilgrim Studio was also behind the camera, and All Seasons Florist created the floral décor.
The newlyweds, who live in Dingle, honeymooned in Miami and Barbados.
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