'Under two foot of water': Couple marry in Cork despite 'epic flooding' caused by Storm Amy

A couple who booked their wedding in famous Gougane Barra could never have imagined that their big day would coincide with the “epic flooding” caused by Storm Amy.

American bride Elisabeth Villa and her Irish husband Anthony McSweeney tied the knot in the popular oratory wedding venue on an island near Ballingeary.

But the island became a “no walk zone” and the couple had to pull out all the stops to keep their big day from being ruined as Storm Amy took hold.

Photographer John Sexton told the Neil Prendeville Show on Red FM that the rainfall was “biblical” in nature.

“The rain came off the mountains. By the time of the wedding the island was flooded. It was under two foot of water. Fr Sean O’Sullivan went up to the couple and said ‘lads we are in trouble.’ 

“Because all of the paperwork is signed and ready to go it does need to be signed on the island of Gougane.” 

He said that Neil Lucey of the Gougane Barra Hotel ferried the family members over in a 4x4 jeep, making five or six trips, and the ceremony was described as “quick”.

“There was a possibility we would get stuck there if we didn’t hurry up,” said Mr Sexton.

He added that he wanted to get at least one photograph of the couple outside the church.

“I had to venture out onto what was the island, but was now a lake. I was able to venture out with small plastic bags, but they were too small, so Fr Sean gave me two refuse bags to put on my legs,” said Mr Sexton, who got a stunning picture of the couple in the door of the church.

"The harpist had a huge harp. That had to be lifted on and off the island.” 

Meanwhile, the bride Elisabeth joked that the so-called ‘lucky charm’, the Child of Prague statue, brought the couple flooding instead of sunshine.

“I had the best bridesmaids who were willing to get wet themselves to save me and my dress. I still have the cleanest dress around, as we didn’t do as many pictures outside.” 

She said her Dad had to lift her out of the car but the weather “made it a lot more fun”.

"I don’t think I would change anything. All we needed was Anthony and me to be there. It will be a great story to tell in the future.”