Fethard to be shaken not stirred with Magnier wedding

A RURAL region will be shaken, not stirred this weekend as 007 star Pierce Brosnan and other celebrities arrive in Fethard, Co Tipperary, for the VIP wedding of the year tomorrow.

Up to 1,000 guests are under starters orders as 24-year-old Katie Magnier, daughter of world-renowned bloodstock businessman John Magnier, prepares to tie the knot with local man, David Wachman, 28.

The royal family from Dubai are also among those expected to turn heads as they gather in the quiet town of Fethard in south Tipperary tomorrow.

Guests are expected to begin gathering from lunchtime for the 6pm ‘off’ at the private ceremony at the Augustinian Abbey, in the Magnier home town. They’ll then adjourn to marquees on the grounds of the coveted Coolmore Stud. All the leading Irish and international players in the horse racing field, as well as big names in Irish and international sports, politics, fashion and entertainment will be there.

Other guests include composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson who is also a keen racing enthusiast.

The Coolmore staff are also rolling out the red carpet for An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and several of his cabinet colleagues.

Extra gardaí are being drafted into Fethard for the day, as well as personal security staff.

A number of marquees have been set up around the world-renowned stud so guests can party well into the early hours.