Wedding of the Week: 'We met on Tinder, 'encouraged' by our families'

A PROPOSAL at 1pm – three years to the date and time after they first met – led to the wedding of this couple.

Margaret (Mags) Buckley is from Freemount, North Cork, while David (Dave) O’Connell is from Ballyphehane.

Mags spent a number of years in London, but moved to Mallow when she returned home in 2017. Dave was living in Ballincollig when they met. The couple now live in Mallow.

Mags recalled: “Dave and I met through Tinder back in 2020. We had both been ‘encouraged’ to sign up by family members. We were an immediate match and texted for a few weeks before meeting in person on St Patrick’s Day 2020.

“As you can imagine, this was the start of Covid restrictions so our options for where to meet were limited. We met first in Doneraile Park for a walk followed by a cuppa in the Hi B in Mallow. It must have been a success because date two took place a few days later with another walk, this time in Garretstown and Ballinspittle. We were pretty inseparable after that.”

They got engaged on March 17, 2023, three years after they first met. Mags said: “Dave proposed on Ross Beach in Glenbeigh at 1pm, the exact time we had met in 2020.”

They were married in the Prince of Peace Church, Fossa, Co Kerry on May 24, 2024, looking out onto the lakes of Killarney.

Church music was by Julie from Wedding Music by Jewel, based in Clonakilty.

They had their reception in The Brehon Hotel & Spa where they enjoyed wonderful food and hospitality and a harpist for the drinks reception.

The bride’s dress was from Vows in Blarney. make-up artist was Georgina Mackessy, and hair was by Tara Boughen, both of Killarney. Dave got his suit in Scopes in London. Best man and groomsmen were suited by Morleys of Cork.

Both Mags’ parents have passed away so her brother Con Buckley gave her away, and Dave’s mum, Teresa gave a lovely speech on the day.

Mags said: “We were also joined by our siblings, their spouses, our nephews and nieces and great nieces and great nephew. We wanted the day to be a real celebration and several of our cousins also travelled long distances to join us. I was also lucky to have 18 friends from London join us on the day, all of whom I met through my work there.”

Music at the reception was provided by Gemma and The Jets. Their first dance was to The One, by Kodaline, inspired by when they saw them in concert together.

Photographs were by Kevin Flynn of Abbeyfeale and the Videographer was Ger Riordan based in Tralee.