Jennifer & Artie : Dingle Wedding

There are few things we take for granted in the wild world of weddings, but when Annie from Aislinn Events contacts us about shooting a wedding, we know it’s going to be special. In the case of Jennifer & Artie’s wedding, this proved itself to be true, 10 fold.

Jen + Artie (and 7 guests) came all the way from the bright lights and wide streets of New York to say their vows in beautiful Dingle, co. Kerry. Annie found one of the best possible locations for a wedding ceremony, Minard Castle.

Situated just outside Dingle in Annascaul, Minard Castle was built by the Knights of Kerry and was nearly destroyed by the forces of Oliver Cromwell in 1650. The corners of the castle ruin still show where Cromwell’s forces planted explosive charges in a failed attempt to bring the Castle down completely.

If this wasn't special enough, it also happened to be the 29th of August, the most important day of the year at St. John’s Holy well. This well, just west of the castle, was the site where pilgrims would visit on this magical day and walk circles around the well chanting prayers. The well was reputed to contain a golden fish and the pilgrim lucky enough to spot the fish would enjoy great fortune. If that’s not mad enough, it’s water is said to cure bodily ills and a pilgrim once claimed to have a vision of the head of St. John the Baptist close to the well. Floating heads and magical fish....there might be something in that well that's worth a try.

With a special blessing at the well and wedding ceremony itself just outside Minard Castle, this was a very special day indeed. Top it off with a drive along the awesome Wild Atlantic Way to Dunquin for some photographs, then back to one of the best known and loved pubs in the land for pints and wedding cake (made by the hands of marvelous Cloudberry Bakery)  it really could not have been better.

For anyone traveling to Dingle, the people at Chill Insurance have recently given it the number one spot in their ebook, "Irelands Most Beautiful Drives". Check it out!