Vaughan's Pub Kilfenora

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Well, two swipes actually. Which direction is it again? Thankfully I can't recall. This is the first photo of us together, and on our third date. As is the way with modern courting, we'd spent a long time texting before we met and I think we both felt like we knew each other before we'd even met. It's beyond strange but sure look (as they say in these parts), it's the way of the world these days. I was living in Galway at the time and to the outside world had it made, good job, living in a town many people love, plenty of disposable income, waterfront apartment and trophy...eh...dog? But as we know, things are never that simple. Pam came into my life less like a breath of fresh air and more like that shot of adrenaline Uma Thurman gets to the heart in Pulp Fiction. I fell hard (would like to think we both did...). Date one was a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. Picture the scene, lots of drunk tourists involved in an all-singing, all-dancing drama while eating slabs of meat and two people meeting for the first time (stone cold sober) trying to make conversation over the hilarity. Perhaps an unorthodox choice but sitting outside Durty Nelly's and actually being able to have a chat salvaged the night. And it couldn't have been that bad as it resulted in a second date! The next week we went to Quin (one 'n' away from greatness) and continued to hit it off, we actually managed to get drunk this time which was an enormous help. Less than a week later we were in Salthill, Galway doing the Croi 5km. Croi (for the non-Irish) among you is the Irish heart and stroke charity (yes, the irony of me doing this while unknowingly being in heart failure is not lost on me!). Our first month together culminated in a weekend in Dingle. It was a cracking start, it really was. We spent so much time talking and texting as well as seeing each other every weekend. I'd been thinking of jacking in the job and leaving Ireland but already I was in two minds (the second of these two minds said 'quit the job but stay in Ireland anyway!'- and I listened). Pam always regrets the fact that we didn't get a selfie at Bunratty so I wrote one: Do you remember…? (a selfie)&nbsp;Do you remember the timeYears agoWhen we first metAnd sat through a banquet from the middle ages?&nbsp;Nervous, awkward but hopefulThe fucking American tourists didn’t helpBoiling hot soupThe wine tasted like vinegarThe meal and theatricsDidn’t lend themselves to conversation&nbsp;Smiling at youOver candle lightYour beautiful eyes sparkingWhile listening to some gowl telling his maAbout the belle of Belfast City&nbsp;Sweet release cameIn the form of a beer gardenYou were funny, clever and kindWhen you looked up and smiledTime stopped&nbsp;The evening draws to a closeWe wander along to the car parkWe embraceAnd I stammer‘You’ve got beautiful eyes by the way!’&nbsp;The drive home brings introspectionCould I have done better? Been more natural?Should I have tried to kiss you?&nbsp;I got home and wrote a textUnsure it was a good ideaI was upfront and honestThe way it should beAnd the best thing I’ve ever done

It started with a swipe...

Pam lives in Limerick (about an hour from Galway) but we still found time to see each other during the week and every weekend. We became so very close. I was now jobless and homeless (not for the first time!) so I did what I usually do in this situation...dropped Dylan off at my mum's and swanned off on holiday! And Pam agreed to come. Malta is a lovely place. Stunning actually but that wasn't the main attraction for me... it was one week of uninterrupted Pammie time!

Goin' loco down in...Gozo...

So we were all set. I was going to spend Christmas in Scotland then come back to Ireland, find a place to live near Limerick, get a job and start a new life. This is what my heart wanted but also it was my heart that got in the way... I won't go into the gory details but it turns out I needed pretty serious heart surgery and quick. The cardiologist didn't recommend flying so I was stuck in Scotland until I could get the surgery and recover...no bother, I thought. It took 6 months until I was well enough to travel. That would have killed many relationships in their infancy but it made us stronger. Pam came over to Scotland every couple of weeks while I was waiting for then recovering from surgery and we got to do loads of cool things (like visiting Loch Ness or her breaking me out of high dependency in a wheelchair to go for lunch and chill out in her hotel room!). The support she gave me during this time was nothing short of astounding. She put on a brave face and helped me all the way through. It's no word of a lie to say I'm not sure I'd have made it without her.

Down and out in Newarthill and Loch Ness

I survived to tell the tale. I recovered and soon enough I was back in Ireland. The plan was that a few months later I'd move in with Pam in Ireland after spending time with her kids. Who would have thought that I'd end up living in a house with four kids but they are kinda alright...sometimes....on occasion...when they are sleeping... Then we thought one more won't make a difference so we added Fionn Alexander O'Donoghue Mackenzie to the hoardes. The most modern of families (add in the dog, cat, bearded dragon and hedgehog), but it works.

The boy who lived, and the girl who saved him

I drove Pam to the exact spot at the car park at Bunratty and asked her to marry me. She said yes (obviously!) and I knew she would but it still make me incredibly happy. We've been through a lot together in our relatively short time together and there is so much more to come. As we've both found out, life is exciting, fresh and a joy when you are with someone who is right for you. The future is bright for (soon to be) Mr &amp; Mrs Mackenzie!

Back to where it all began

When…&nbsp;When you close your eyesand take a deep breath ona hot summer’s day&nbsp;And you know it’s going to bea great daycos it feels so rightand your whole body tingles with anticipation&nbsp;When you reach a peakthat you’ve been trying to conquerforever&nbsp;And you feel relief, releaseat one with the worldand your mind’s eye visualisedthisbut it’s better than you ever could have imagined&nbsp;When you’re homefor the first time in a long time&nbsp;And feel as easecos it’s so comfortablelike your own bed at the end of a long day&nbsp;When you visit somewhere newand it feels like you never leftyou’re in the right place at the right timeIt feeds your soul,opens you upand it feels like exactly what you’ve been waiting for&nbsp;When you awake to the sound of rain on the roofknowing that you don’t have to get upor join the raceor get involved&nbsp;And time, space and existenceare all on your sideyou’re unstoppableuntouchableand unshakeable&nbsp;The world is at your feetyou could reach unknown heightsscale the highest mountainsreach other dimensions&nbsp;The universe is with youevery step of the wayyou are guideda willing follower&nbsp;That’s when you find a new lovethat feels like an old loveand you don’t let gocos you know you’ve always wanted to be there&nbsp;&nbsp;And you want to say and do the right thingand you canbecause it’s the air that you breatheit keeps you alivesustains and nourishes you&nbsp;That’s when you know it’s notif, or even when…

When...

Our Story

The happy couple

Photos

Michael Lennon

Ash O'Keeffe

Donnacha & Jack

Ali & Lucy

Fionn

Dylan

Wedding Party

****update- all rooms at Vaughan's are now gone- we will be in touch with people who have already rsvped but if you haven't then you will need to look at other options**** We have booked all the accommodation at Vaughan's so if you would like to stay there then let us know when you rsvp. Rooms are limited so this will be on a first come, first served basis. There are double, triple and family (sleeping 4 or 5) rooms available. Vaughan's will contact you to collect payment (all rooms 150 euro per night).If you are coming from abroad, accommodation is available on the Friday at Vaughan's as well (and Alex and most people coming from Scotland will be there for dinner and a couple of pints).The wedding party will leave Vaughan's on the Sunday.

Self catering apartments a 10 min drive from Vaughan's. Their site says a 3 night minimum.

Burren Court Lodge, The Burren, Co Clare

B&amp;B 15 mins walk from Vaughan's. 2 doubles and twin.

Ballybreen House B&B

Cottages and rooms available in Kilfenora and surrounding areas.

Airbnb

Hotel is 9 mins drive from Vaughan's

Falls Hotel & Spa

Various options available in Kilfenora, Lisdoonvarna and Ennistymon

Booking.com

Accommodation

The venue

Vaughan's, Main Street, Kilcarragh, Kilfenora, Co. Clare, V95 DT8K <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/VAJWPvCvYyZr8Mrf8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google maps</a>

Travelling from Scotland

Shannon is the closest airport to Vaughan's but the best flight we have found is to Knock from Edinburgh on the Friday, operated by Ireland's favourite budget airline. I (Alex) will be in Kilfenora from the Friday and we are planning to have dinner in the pub and a few pints if you decide to come that day. EDI - NOC 13.00 24/10/25 (Ryanair), currently coming in at £20.60 If enough people book this flight then we can arrange a group transfer of some kind to Kilfenora (1hr 46 mins) and divide the cost (should be around 50 euro per head). There is a return flight on the Sunday (26/10/25) evening from Shannon. SNN - EDI 21.30 26/10/25 (Ryanair), currently 43.99 euro I'll ask Vaughan's to give us a late check out (which I don't think will be an issue) and again a group transfer can be arranged (around 30-40 euro per head). Shannon is around 55 mins away. If you would like to arrive on the day of the wedding you would have to come in to Dublin and make the journey across. The following flights would be workable: EDI - DUB 8.20 (Ryanair), currently £35.99GLA - DUB 7.35 (Ryanair), currently £23.87 You could get a bus from Dublin airport to Ennis (about 3 hours) then a taxi or bus (30 mins) to Kilfenora. Cork is also an option and there is the following flight: EDI - ORK 05.45 (Ryanair), currently £16.99 Also, bus (around 2.5 hours) to Ennis then taxi or bus. Bus from Dublin or Cork to Ennis is with <a href="www.citylink.ie" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Citylink</a> There are return flights on the Sunday from Dublin (to Glasgow and Edinburgh) and Cork (to Edinburgh) as well. The wedding party will be leaving Vaughan's on the Sunday but if you want to stay in Kilfenora longer then let me know and I'll ask them about it. We'll try to give people coming on the Friday priority for rooms in Vaughan's but please rsvp as soon as you can if you want a room there.

TRAVELING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES

As mentioned, Shannon is the closest airport (55 min drive). You can get a bus from there to Ennis then either another bus or taxi (30 mins) to Kilfenora. If arriving at Dublin or Cork, same applies. Bus to Ennis then another bus or taxi.

TRAVELLING FROM THE STATES

Fashion a canoe (cedar is the wood of choice), make your way to New York and put somewhere on the west coast of Ireland into Google maps (maybe Lahinch so you can get fish &amp; chips once you arrive) and paddle like Ron Swanson trying to get away from one of the Tammys. Shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, I would imagine.

Pam & Alex