Choppers to queue at McManus wedding

WITH so many helicopters attending the wedding of JP McManus’s daughter next Saturday, pilots will have to get landing slots to fly into the millionaire’s Limerick estate.

And, for safety reasons, a special air traffic control unit will operate on site to direct helicopter traffic.

Sue Ann McManus marries Kerry-born auctioneer Cian Foley in what promises to be the society wedding of the year.

A squadron of privately owned and chartered helicopters is expected to descend on the 500-acre estate.

Shannon-based West Air Aviation will operate the special air traffic control unit.

Such is demand for choppers on the day, West Air said yesterday it had none available for hire on Saturday.

All its Bell 206s, which can hold four passengers, have been booked up at a cost of €1,250 an hour.

Most other aviation companies have also received heavy helicopter bookings for the day.

Martinstown Church where the couple will be married has been given a makeover, where only family and a small group of close friends will attend the ceremony.

The chefs who catered at the Michael Flatley wedding will serve a lavish banquet, while the Corrs head the entertainment line-up.