Wedding of the Week: A Cork couple who had not set eyes on each other for 18 years wed this summer

THERE are a few love stories that take your breath away, and Michael Desmond and Joan Kehoe’s is certainly one of these.

Joan, from Carrigaline, is a Special Needs Assistant in Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline, while Michael, from Ballyfeard, is a manager in Musgrave Market Place, Airport Road. They live in beautiful Ballyfeard.

Their story began in 1996 when they met in Rosies bar in Carrigaline and love blossomed, they got engaged and planned a future together. Life, however had other plans.

They split up in the summer of 1998 and Joan moved to Dublin, got married and had three children. Michael concentrated on his work but Joan was never too far from his thoughts.

Over the next 18 years they never set eyes on each other again. Thanks to social media, Michael made contact with Joan in August, 2016, and they chatted online for a few months. When they met up their love was rekindled.

Joan and two of her sons moved to Cork to live with Michael and he proposed on Dursey Island, West Cork, in February, 2018. The engagement ring was designed by Eric Maguire of Maguire Jewellers in Gorey.

On their special day, they were joined by Joan’s sons Andrew, Daniel and David. Andrew gave his mum away on the day, which was a very emotional walk for them both.

They got married in the Church of our Lady and St John in Carrigaline in a ceremony led by Fr Pat Fogarty PP and concelebrated by Fr Des Campion on July 26, and had their reception in the Carrigaline Court Hotel.

Music for the ceremony was by Carrigaline Folk Choir.

Joan bought her dress and veil from The Ivory Rose bridal in Passage West and Michael and all the male wedding party bought their suits from Debenhams. The younger men wore Vans which matched their bow ties.

They wanted to keep their wedding as local as possible and used many independent businesses in Carrigaline. Wedding invitations were printed by the Printing Studio and Wedding Press, the flowers were by Bouquets by Victoria, cake by Anita Venczel of Cakeland, Joan’s hair by Urban Hair Design, make up by Beautique Beauty Salon and nails by Zsuzsanna in the Swan Studio. 

Photographs were taken by Jayne Burke and the reception music was provided by DJ Cian Drinan. The reception was held in the Carrigaline Court Hotel who, under the guidance of managers, Sinead and Barry, ensured the day was enjoyed by all.

They honeymooned for a week in Cala Bona, Majorca, after a short revisit to Dursey Island for a few days following the wedding.

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