Wedding of the Week: Cork couple are wed 12 years after meeting at work

When Cynthia O’Loughlin, from Knocknaheeny, and Kieran Barry, from Mayfield, first walked toward one another on a corridor at work, little did they know that 12 years later they would be wed.

The couple had actually first crossed paths as teens when one of Kieran’s friends had asked Cynthia if she’d go out with the Mayfield man.

“I never forgot his friend Padraig getting out of Kieran’s Honda Civic to run up and ask me. I kindly did turn him down at that time, even though I thought he was good-looking!”

However, their paths were to cross again when Cynthia started working in Janssen in Little Island.

“I was only working there a few days and was walking down the corridor and saw Kieran walking towards me,” she recalled.

Cynthia wasn’t driving at the time, and Kieran offered to give her a lift to and from work. The duo quickly realised they had a lot of shared interests, and friendship blossomed into love.

Today, the couple live in Dublin Hill with their three children.

It was in September, 2024, that Kieran popped the question during a family trip to Paris.

Cynthia and Kieran were wed at the Talbot Hotel in Ballincollig in August, surrounded by their closest friends and families.

“The most special part of our day was having our children with us to celebrate the most important day of our lives,” the bride said.

“Unfortunately, Kieran’s mom and dad passed away, but we tried to include them in every way possible by having candles, photos, and seats reserved for them. We know they were there with us in spirit.”

The bride sourced her gown from Vows in Blarney and her shoes were from Lipsy. Makeup was by Make-Up by Laura while hair was by Nic’s Pin Ups.

After the ceremony, the couple held a reception for their guests at the hotel.

DJ James Leahy from Ace Entertainment ensured everyone was up on their feet that evening.

“He is just amazing at what he does. Not only is he a DJ, but an amazing entertainer. He had the whole place up on their feet. From Rock The Boat to the Cha Cha Slide. Our guests loved it.”

Cynthia and Kieran’s first dance was to Amazed by Lonestar.

“We had many late-nights choreographing a dance to this, but it worked out on the day, and we didn’t mess up our steps. Kieran was dreading it ’cause I messed up a few times while practicing, as I’m no good at slow dancing.”

Cynthia also shared a father-of-the-bride dance with her dad, Michael.

“Kieran also surprised me with a song that he and my aunt Christine got made up just for us about how we met. It was amazing, and I had no idea until the DJ played it,” Cynthia said.

The “absolutely delicious” cake was from Ruairi’s kitchen, and the pictures were by the “talented” Paul Hurley. Erika’s Edit was content creator.

After the wedding, the couple honeymooned in Dubai.

“It was amazing from start to finish. It all happened so fast. My advice to any bride-to-be is to take it all in, as the day goes so fast and is over before you know it.

“And make sure to make time just for yourselves throughout the day in between all the madness... We’re glad we did as we have so many memories to look back on now.”