Eimear O’Reilly and Shane Bourke 

Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry 

Photos courtesy of Kevin Murphy Photography

On November 26, 2022, Kerry native Eimear O’Reilly married Limerick man Shane Bourke in Killarney Cathedral and were accompanied by 190 family and friends. Later in the day they all ventured over to The Great Southern Hotel where celebrations ran late into the early hours of the morning. 

The Meet

Eimear and Shane stumbled across each other at a house party hosted by a mutual friend in Limerick. There was an instant connection between the now happily married couple and all it took in Eimear’s own words was ‘an aul Facebook add and the rest is history’. Six and half years later they got engaged and began their journey into married life together.

The Engagement

In early 2020, during the midterm break, Shane whisked Eimear away on a romantic getaway to a secret location for the weekend. After a long drive to Achill Island on the Friday, the couple were met by the choppy sea breeze and the height of Ireland’s freezing weather was on full display. Despite the wet weather Shane’s spirits were not dampened. As he dropped to one knee mid stroll on Keem Bay Beach and presented Eimear with a simply gorgeous ring, exactly to her taste, she was overcome with both shock and pure delight. As it turned out Shane couldn’t have timed it any better as just weeks later the newly engaged couple, along with the rest of the world were put in lockdown because of the Covid 19 pandemic

The Wedding

Upon the arrival of this very special day in late November, Shane waited patiently at the top of the Killarney Cathedral in the company of his groomsmen Patrick Bourke and Willie Griffin, along with 190 other close friends and family members who had travelled to celebrate the matrimony. Eimear herself had received a very special visit by the Sam Maguire cup that morning while getting ready (organised by her sister Orlaith and soon to be husband). As both, a proud Kerry woman and GAA fanatic, she was rearing to go following the rendezvous and was led down the aisle by her stunning bridesmaids, Orlaith O’Reilly and Sheila Hayes. Eimear herself emerged to the voice of Ronan Keating singing “This I Promise You”. The beautiful bride absolutely dazzled in her long-sleeved dress, created in crepe material and detailed buttons added to the sheer elegance of her gown with a long train, cascading down the aisle after her. The minute she saw the dress in Virginia’s Bridal in Limerick she knew she had found the one. 


Eimear looks back on the mass fondly and exudes a deep sense of gratitude for Fr. Chris O’Donnell’s ability to put the couple at ease. She describes the ceremony as “intimate and personal” as Fr. Chris’s words hooked the clergy and ensured there was a balance between both the emotional and humorous aspects of the nuptials. Once the vows were said and the rings exchanged, the newlyweds were greeted by a commemorative hurley arch organised by Adare GAA Club which perfectly captured the couple’s shared love for hurling and as an added plus, made for some great pictures.


The two love birds took flight to The Great Southern Hotel in Killarney and after a fabulous meal, enjoyed a delightful slideshow by Kevin Murphy Photography. Eimear recalls one of her favourite memory’s as looking around after the couple’s first dance to “Starlight” by Westlife and getting “goosebumps” seeing all the happy faces of loved ones taking to the dance floor. Their day was captured on film by Declan of SES Digital, ensuring the newlyweds didn’t miss a moment.


Following their magical day, the couple did a two-week stint in Canada with Trailfinders Ireland where they had a ball venturing through Montreal, Vancouver, Banff and Lake Louise and and spent time visiting Shane’s brother Patrick and his girlfriend Beth.  

Suppliers

Engagement Rings - Matthew Stephens Jewellers, Limerick

Wedding Rings - Tadhg O’Flynn Jewellers, Nenagh

The Dress - Virginias Bridal Boutique, Limerick

The Suits - Mike O’Connell’s, Limerick

Cake - Laura Taylor of Touch of Taylor, Killarney

Ceremony Music - Claire Heffernan

Band - Flog the Dog

DJ - Davin Toomey DJ Entertainment

Photographer - Kevin Murphy Photography

Videographer - Simply Edit Studio

Florist and Décor - Tie the Knot Weddings, Abbeyfeale

Hair - UpStyle Junkie

Makeup - Annette O’Brien Makeup

Invitations - McNamara Printers

Priest - Fr. Chris O’Donnell

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