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Photo finish for bride and groom
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MICHELLE CLARKE and John Francis O’Mahony’s paths first crossed as a result of their shared love of running so it was only fitting on their big day that the groom joined his friends on a 5k Parkrun in Killarney National Park.
John and Michelle met through their local running club Striders of Croydon in November 2014.
The following year they started dating and in September 2016 he popped the question at the Meeting of the Waters in his native Killarney. John, from Scartlea, Muckross, and Michelle, from London, were married in St Mary’s Cathedral by Fr Kieran O’Brien and held their reception in the Castlerosse Hotel.
Helping them celebrate were the bride’s mother Hazel Clarke and the groom’s father Brendan O’Mahony. Very much in their thoughts on the big day was John’s late mother Margaret Mary O’Mahony.
Michelle’s sister Melissa Shepherd was maid of honour with her friend Verena Trend joining forces with John’s sister Peg O’Mahony as bridesmaids. John’s friend Neil Horgan was best man while his son Aaron Morris O’Mahony was groomsman along with his brothers Karol, Stephen and Joseph O’Mahony and Michelle’s brother Stephen Clarke.
The bride’s niece Florence Shepherd and the groom’s niece Alexis O’Mahony were flowergirls and the groom’s nephew Airt O’Mahony was pageboy. The bride looked stunning in a Berketex dress with hairstyling by Deirdre Lyne of Halo Hair Salon, Killarney, and makeup by Aine Doherty.
The groom cut a dapper dash in a TM Lewin suit while the groomsmen were dressed by Formally Yours, Killarney. Adrian O’Neill captured the big day on camera. “It was very special having so many family and friends travel from London, New York, Canada and Guyana to share in our special day,” said John.
The newlyweds’ honeymoon took them on safari to Tanzania followed by a few days in Zanzibar. Michelle is an account manager and John is self-employed specialist interiors consultant. They will reside in London.
Above: Michelle Clarke and John Francis O'Mahony. Pic: Adrian O'Neill