All haste was forgotten when she and Eoin O’Leary started talking as they walked past with the dogs Harley and Marvin.

Because on that first date on July 10, 2019, they had 10 years to catch up. “We quickly arranged another date, and before Eoin knew it, he had let himself be persuaded to paint my entire apartment from floor to ceiling – three coats!” says Danielle.

Shortly afterwards she moved in with Eoin from Killarney. It was in this house that her story began 12 years ago when Danielle from Knockaderry, Farranfore, became Eoin’s lodger.

“After only three months in the closet, I moved in with friends,” she says. The two would not see each other again for ten years.

Then, while Danielle was working as a wedding coordinator at the Killarney Oaks Hotel, she noticed Eoin when he arrived as best man at the wedding of his friends Johnny and Jennifer Hickey.

“That re-established the connection,” says Danielle. Eoin popped the question on Christmas Eve 2021 at the Aghadoe lookout point in Killarney.

The couple are now living with their daughter Kelly Mai in the home of Eoin’s late grandparents Mai and Dan Kelly in Killarney town while they renovate the home they bought in Firies, Co Kerry.

They got married this year at the Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort, where the reception also took place.

Irish soul celebrant Sinéad Gould aka Bonnie Boux (Instagram: @theirishsoulcelebrant) performed the spiritual ceremony and Tara Donoghue (taradonoghuephotography.com) captured the occasion on camera.

LM Wedding Videography (@lmweddingvideography) was also behind the lens and Bizzy Lizzies Flowers (@bizzylizziesflowers) created the floral decoration.

Kelly Mai was the flower girl, Carmel Courtney and Denise Fleming were bridesmaids and Seán Hurley and Liam Brocklebank were groomsmen. Her boyfriend Conor Hickey and her nephew Odhran O’Leary were page boys.

Danielle’s parents Margaret and Tagdh Mannix and Eoin’s mother and father Betty and Tony O’Leary led the celebrations. Eoin’s brother Kieran travelled from Edinburgh with his wife Maggie and son Odhran.

Danielle’s brother James participated virtually from Sydney with his girlfriend Micheli.

Danielle looked elegant in a dress by Essence of Australia. “I bought it from Pearls and Lace Bridal in Donegal,” she says. “The boys bought it from Tom Murphy Menswear in Cork City.”

Niamh Tynan (@idohair_bridal) was responsible for the bride’s hairstyle and Lisa Coffey (@lisacoffey-makeup) was the make-up artist.

Eoin’s friends “went above and beyond” by ensuring motorbikes and vintage cars were part of the celebration, adds Danielle.

Music also played an important role on this big day. “We couldn’t be happier with the musicians,” says Danielle.

“The music for the ceremony and reception was by Gearóid McCarthy (@gearoidmccarthymusic) who created a great atmosphere. The band was Super Céilí (@superceili) who kept the dance floor packed and really got the vibe going. Then we had DJ & Sax who were amazing and so much fun.”

Danielle and Eoin run Kerry Used Furniture together.

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