Ballymagarvey Village

Wedding Day

Church of the Assumption

Ceremony

Reception

Home

2014

There are different versions of this story depending who you ask but Aodhán like's to think that he spotted Ali on the far side of a bar and made the first move! November 7th, (well November 8th as it was late) with 2 Vodka Cranberries in the Black Door on Harcourt St. A few eventful dates where Aodhán turned up late to the first one, almost set a pub on fire, and had a specsavers moment, Alison somehow stuck by and the dates continued.

2015

Time to meet the friend's and families. Alison got thrown into the deep end with an early family birthday for Aodhán but came out ok! Our first holiday together in Italia where we definitely didn't purchase a selfie stick, Aodhán just has really long arms.

2016

We were flying it at this stage, no stopping us. We found out we like travelling with trips to Belgium, Iceland, London, Tenerife, We started going to weddings together and really loved one venue in particular- Ballymagarvey.

2017

Getting serious now, Aodhán managed to woo Ali to the southside and we made the big move in together in our new Inchicore home. Ali learned fast that Aodhán can't cook. Our travelling bug went further afield with longer trips to Thailand, Croatia and New York.

2018

Around the world in 160 days, We headed off to 14 countries and managed not to kill each other. We came back with a love for all types of cuisine, hiking, a bit more Spanish, and a very questionable beard.

2019

We got the keys to our new house in Clontarf, Aodhán surprised Ali inside with a proposal, and after a lot of crying she said yes. Aodhán still hopes the crying was a good thing!

2020

Let's just say we thought travelling together for a few months would be the most time we would ever spend together, along came Covid. A great opportunity for wedding planning (a.k.a. watching Tony Holohan hoping for wedding announcements) and to get some decorating done on our new home. Looking forward to our biggest milestone yet, Tús le ré nua, Táimid ag siúl le ceilliúradh libh.

Our Story

What's going on with COVID-19

Unfortunately due to the most recent government announcements on August 4th we have had to scale back our wedding to less than 50 guests to meet the new guidelines. As churches are treated differently we can still invite up to 90 to our wedding ceremony, so you are more than welcome, but we completely understand if people can't take a day off or make the trip just to come to the ceremony. We hope to have another big party to celebrate our wedding some time in the future. Currently we are following government guidelines for the big day by:- Limiting numbers as per HSE guidelines (so if you made it this far we really love you)- social distancing in church &amp; Banquet (families and couples can still sit together)- no shared items or foods on tables (individually wrapped canopés and sachés, table service etc)- no shakey hands thing at the end of the ceremony (sorry I know you all love this)- we can't have shared bathroom baskets or flip flops (sorry lads) so please bring your own dancing shoes! Ballymagarvey Village are also taking a number of precautions at the venue and at the accomodation to aid social distancing.

Aodhán you know I can't speak Irish- will I understand anything?

Yes, sure you learnt it for 14 years! The ceremony will be bilingual and sure you'll be grand. You've a few weeks to study

Is there a dress code?

Normal semi-formal wedding attire but we would be delighted to have you with us regardless what you are wearing

Can we take pictures on the day?

If you know us, you know we love a few photos. Snap away but please also send them to us so we have memories of the day.

Will there still be a band / bar?

YES! We still have a band coming along so bring your dancing shoes. Although it will likely be table service for drinks, we will have a late bar license on the night also.While dancing is encouraged unfortunately we may not be able to have a Céilí as planned as they're not very Covid friendly - I know you are all secretly devastated.

Feeling anxious about Covid-19. Not sure if I can make it?

No problem, we completely understand if you can't make the big day, please keep us in the loop!

Aodhán and I go way back.. to early 1987 to be precise. That's when he landed on the scene and took the coveted spoilt youngest child slot off me! He's found an absolute gem in Ali and we can't wait to officially welcome her to the family! Delighted to be part of Aodhán & Ali's special day and at this point the highlight of all of our year's by a long shot! Looking forward to seeing you all on the big day

Rory O'Dea

Ali and I go a long way back! From sharing crayons in junior infants to making up dance routines in our bedrooms. From all the drama of secondary school (including being basketball and hockey stars) to sorting out all of life's problems on the much trodden Clontarf seafront. Many great nights out were had together with too many stories to tell!

In stept Aodhán onto the scene. Full of laughter,  with a marvellous singing voice -Aodhán fit right in. There’s been many a board game night since then and without ever cheating - the boys always seem to win! But Come Dine with Me nights are where Ali and Aodhán shine. They really are on fire with their handmade spring rolls!

I look forward to sharing many more memories with both of them in the future and am especially looking forward to being a part of their big day

Sarah Maxwell

So, how do I know Aodhán and Ali? Well it all started when I was 4 and Aidan arrived on the scene (some were hoping for a girl - Deirdre) but despite some cross dressing in school plays, dodgy haircuts and picking up the Gaeilge through the years Aodhán turned out to be a great brother. 


The first we heard of Ali was Christmas a few years back where Aodhán dashed over to Clontarf on Christmas Day picking up a present en route! Aodhán and Ali are a wonderful couple and we are all delighted to welcome Ali to our family and couldn’t be happier for both of them and look forward to the big day.

Maurice O'Dea

I met Alison on our journey through secondary school in Mount Temple. I don’t think either of us remember what drew us together but I think it was somewhere between a hockey pitch and our ordinary maths class that we must have clicked! 
We have so many memories of our friendship over the years it would be impossible for me to pick just one, but what I do know is our friendship has made me live better and laugh louder on many occasions. 
When Alison introduced me to Aodhán he instantly fitted into our crew and he has since become a great friend to me. 
I am delighted they have asked me to join them in celebrating their special day.
I wish them so much happiness now and for their married lives together. 
With love, Emma

Emma Nelson

The original Eoin Ó Murchú in this line up, I have had the pleasure of knowing Aodhán for over 20 years - back before he was the Irish activist formerly known as Aidan. Through the good times (his UCD student presidency) and bad (bleached blond hair) it’s never a dull moment with Aodho, usually culminating with a bag of chips and a free lift home from yours truly. But despite these many achievements, his best by far is meeting Ali. It’s been brilliant to get to know her over the years and I am only delighted to be a part of their special day.

Eoin Ó Murchú

Hi, I’m Sarah G and I’m delighted to be a part of Ali and Aodhán’s special day! I met Ali about 7 years ago working in Vodafone. Being from the same neck of the woods, we commuted together most days so spent lots of hours together in my car singing, chatting and laughing our way to and from work! I remember the drive where I heard all about her first date with Aodhán (spoiler alert, it went well!) and here we are now! I couldn’t be happier for Ali and Aodhán. They are a fun loving, thoughtful and beautiful couple and I can’t wait to share this special day with them! I look forward to meeting & celebrating with you all on the day x

Sarah Gillanders

Eoin and Aodhán met long long ago in the time before the virus in a small misty village at the foot of the Dublin mountains. Like all good Gaels, they played that ancient Irish sport of rugby. They didn't know each other that well at the time, and the only piece of information that Aodhán remembers about Eoin was that he was 'pretty fast at running'.

Their paths crossed from time to time later on, as archnemeses in summer colleges, and as housemates in Merville UCD and beyond. They have travelled the length and breath of the country in Aodhán’s various cars saving the Irish language (until Aodhán discovered that the environment ‘is cool’ and got rid of his car). As the Irish language is in dire straits their work may not have had much impact but at least they had fun while doing it!

Eoin was with Aodhán that fateful night in the Black Door, when a young innocent boy (Aodhán) met a wonderful woman (Ali) who changed his life. Since then Aodhán has learned how to cook (goodbye to the chicken fillet roles), is now a ‘flexitarian’ (well done Ali) and even has some clothes that are not covered with massive ads for courses in the Gaeltacht! Eoin wishes Ali and Aodhán every success in their lives in Clontarf and whatever their life at the top of the alphabet brings!

Eoin P. Ó Murchú

Since day one of 1U, Ali has been the most wonderful friend through the good, the bad and the makeup mishaps, and I feel so privileged to be part of her special day. From the moment I met Aodhán in Hogan’s all those years ago, and I heard Ali upping the ante with the cúpla focal, I knew they were meant to be. I’ll be raising a glass from London to the beautiful couple and can’t with to celebrate in style together as soon as we can!

Susan Carroll

Jim & Anne O'Dea

Michael & Deirdre Sheil

Wedding Party

We anticipate with reduced numbers that there should be enough accommodation for anyone who wishes to stay the night in Ballymagarvey.

There are a number of rooms available on site in <a href="https://www.ballymagarvey.ie/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ballymagarvey Village</a>. Call (041) 982 5959 to reserve Please note that Ballymagarvey are taking measures to ensure that all rooms are cleaned and sanitised fully, with no weddings in the prior week the rooms will not have been used for over a full week in advance.

Other Hotels & B&B's

There are however a number of cheaper hotels &amp; B&amp;Bs nearby:The Pillo Hotel Ashbourne is the nearest hotel to Ballymagarvey 12.5km away.<a href="https://www.pillohotelashbourne.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.pillohotelashbourne.com/</a> Nearby B&amp;BsThere are also a number of B&amp;B's locally,Balrath House &amp; Courtyards (041) 982 5749Burtonstown House B&amp;B (041) 982 5712

Local Taxis

Micky Dillon (Taxi, Mini Bus &amp; Coach)P: 087 214 3088E: dilloncoaches@gmail.comExpert TaxisP: 01 835 2000P: 01 8010902P: 01 8356000Stephen CollinsP: 086 3157502Evans CoachesP: 041 9825351Taxi FergusP: 087 2730714 (mini bus)McCabes TaxiDan 087 2556300

Accommodation

Leagan Gaeilge den suíomh<a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/aodhan-o-dea-and-alison-sheil-aug-2020-93150223-1034-406b-abe9-e50fec8e6b71/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ar fáil anseo</a>

Alison & Aodhán