HURLEYS AND camogie sticks were held high at one of the world’s most famous rugby grounds at the weekend, where the grand-daughter of a GAA hurling legend celebrated her wedding reception.Thomond Park, was a field of dreams for Limerick couple Eilis Mackey and Paul Flannery who tied the knot on Saturday.
The hospitality suite at the revamped rugby stadium saved the day for the couple who feared their Valentine’s Day wedding was ruined following the closure of the Castletroy Park hotel where their reception was due to be held.
The four star hotel will reopen this Wednesday under the new management of the Carlton Group, but the re-opening was not in time for the Limerick couple who became the first couple to have their wedding reception at the ground. The 23-year-old bride Eilis is the grand-daughter of hurling legend Mick Mackey.
“We only had two weeks’ notice. In hurling terms, we were caught on the hop and had to find somewhere fast,” explained the groom Paul Flannery, who is first cousin to Munster’s hooker Jerry Flannery.
“Lucky for us, there was no game or anything scheduled for the big day so we had the reception there,” he said. “There was plenty of slagging and banter between the two families with the sporting backgrounds. It is hard enough to get into Thomond Park when there is a game on, so it was a great day.”
Many of the couple’s 200 wedding guests held hurleys and camogie sticks high for their wedding photos.
Five more weddings are booked for the new function room in Thomond Park which can accommodate 500 people.