Couple marry on flooded Cork island as Storm Amy turns dream wedding into ‘biblical’ adventure

Elisabeth Villa and Anthony McSweeney refuse to let Storm Amy ruin their Gougane Barra wedding as floods engulf the island

Neil Prendeville spoke with Cork Couple Anthony McSweeney and Elisabeth Villa who were adamant that nothing would dampen their special day, even when heavy rainfall resulted in their wedding venue being flooded. Pictures: John Sexton photography

A couple who booked their wedding at an oratory on a small island in Co Cork could never have imagined that their big day would coincide with the “epic flooding” caused by Storm Amy.

American bride Elisabeth Villa and her Irish husband Anthony McSweeney tied the knot last week in Gougane Barra, near Ballingeary in the Muskerry Gaeltacht.

The scenic valley and heritage site in the Shehy Mountains of Co Cork is a hugely popular wedding venue.

However, last Thursday the island became a “no-walk zone”, and the couple had to pull out all the stops to keep their big day from being ruined.

Photographer John Sexton told The Neil Prendeville Show on Red FM that the rainfall was “biblical.”

“The rain came off the mountains. By the time of the wedding the island was flooded — it was under two feet of water. Fr Sean O’Sullivan went up to the couple and said ‘lads we are in trouble.’ Because all of the paperwork is signed and ready to go it does need to be signed on the island of Gougane.

"The manager of the (Gougane Barra) hotel brought just the family over in a 4x4 jeep. It was five our six trips in the jeep. We did a quick ceremony."

However, last Thursday the island became a “no-walk zone”, and the couple had to pull out all the stops to keep their big day from being ruined.

Mr Sexton said he was determined to get at least one photograph of the couple outside the church.

“I had to venture out on to the what was the island but was now a lake. I was able to venture out with small plastic bags but they were too small so Fr Sean gave me two refuse bags to put on my legs.

"I turned around and got a photograph of the couple in the door of the church.

"The weird thing is that there was a strange sense of calm. Everyone did their bit. Neil Lucey in Gougane Barra Hotel was a saint with his 4x4. The priest and the couple were fantastic.

"The lake and the island were one. There was a possibility we would get stuck there if we didn’t hurry up.

"The harpist had a huge harp. That had to be lifted on and off the island.” 

'As you can see (from the pictures) my Dad had to lift me out of the car,' Elizabeth Villa said.

Meanwhile, the bride, Elisabeth, said nothing was going to dampen their special day.

“They (the photographs) came out beautiful. More than we could have asked for.

"Everybody was so incredible. We were laughing looking at it all from the bridal suite (in the hotel). We were having fun with it. We just accepted it. We were going to have a great day no matter what.

"I was hanging out with the bridesmaids upstairs having a wonderful morning. It was still a wonderful day.” 

Elisabeth joked that the supposed lucky charm, the Child of Prague statue, had failed them — bringing flooding instead of sunshine.

“I heard of the Child of Prague when we were in Ireland and I was searching for a statue at home to bring over with me. Maybe because the statue came from the US it brought bad luck.

"The Lucey family in the Gouganebarra Hotel helped us while we were planning in two different countries. They also went above and beyond on the day.” 

Elisabeth joked that the supposed lucky charm, the Child of Prague statue, had failed them — bringing flooding instead of sunshine.

Elisabeth said the wedding party jumped through hoops to ensure the ceremony went ahead.

“I had the best bridesmaids who were willing to get wet themselves to save me and my dress. I still have the cleanest dress around as we didn’t do as many pictures outside.

"As you can see (from the pictures) my Dad had to lift me out of the car. They did everything they could to make sure I was fine and it made it a lot more fun.

"I don’t think I would change anything. I expected rain but all we needed was Anthony and me to be there. It will be a great story to tell in the future. I wouldn’t change a thing.” 

Anthony said that although the wedding party consisted of 60 people, only about 20 attended the ceremony because of the flooding.

The couple plan to meet family in Boston for another celebration in the coming weeks and will honeymoon in Italy next year.