Rosapenna Pavillion Downings Wedding Joanna + Stuart

Congratulations to Joanna Clerkin and Stuart Gardner who where married in St. John The Baptist Church in Carrigart Co. Donegal on Saturday 23rd August 2014. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of Joanna and Stuart’s wedding in late August and the fact it took place in probably the most scenic part of Ireland was a real bonus and on top of that the fact that the sun was shining too- well that was a Brucy bonus with a cherry on top. Myself and Sinead started the day with Stuart and his groomsmen Ashley and Peter who where getting suited and booted as we arrived in the picturesque village of Carrigart in north Donegal. Stuart is from Austraila – Brighton Victoria – and he had a lot of friends and family make the trip to sunny Donegal for the wedding- i’m sure they weren’t disappointed with the beauty and hospitality of the place. After the lads headed off the short walk to the church to start greeting the guests myself and Sinead crossed the street to meet up with Joanna and her bridesmaids Labhaoise and Kate. The house was relaxed and apart from one dress getting some needle work done on it there where no dramas at all. We got some bridal portraits done with Joanna and the girls before making our way across the road to the beautiful St. John the Baptist Church for the wedding ceremony itself- the only driving worth talking about was the trip from home in Kinlough to Downings and back as the rest of the day everything was so close together. After the ceremony the guests enjoyed a chat in the warm summer sun before they departed to the reception. The bridal party and ourselves went towards Doe castle in Creeslough for some photos. The castle was built in 1425 by the Mac Sweeney clan and made a great backdrop for our photos. We also stopped at the old narrow bridge over the Lackagh river on the way to the castle and got some beautiful wedding photos of Joanna and Stuart on the bridge. We had to park the cars up a little bog road and as there was a full bloom of heather on show we made some great photographs there too- never miss an opportunity! From Doe castle we made our way back to Downings and the beautiful setting of the Rosapenna Pavillion in Downings for the reception. This was my first Rosapenna Pavillion Downings Wedding and what a wedding to start with.  The Rosapenna Pavillion is set on an amazing links golf course and has the most amazing views of the rugged north Donegal coast. We got some photos with Sheephaven Bay in the background and also some wedding photos with Muckish mountain in the background and I think Ashley and Peter where quite surprised to see such beautiful beaches outside Australia- beautiful to look at surely but putting on a skimpy pair of speedos and getting in the water would be a brave or foolish mans game!. On our arrival at the reception the guests where out on the patio area enjoying Guinness, beer and Champagne in the warm summer sunshine. After the meal the band got set up and they kicked off the evenings entertainment with a slow dance for Joanna and Stuart followed by “I come from a land down under” by Men At Work which went down brilliantly with the Australian guests and it was a great way to start the party. I finished off the evening by getting some sparkler and light painting shots on the golf course before making the long but enjoyable journey back to south Donegal and home. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Joanna and Stuart the very best for their future and thank them for allowing me be part of their special day. Below are some of the other vendors who helped make Joanna and Stuart’s wedding day so special….

Click PLAY below to watch a FUSION Slideshow of Joanna and Stuart’s Rosapenna Pavillion Downings Wedding

If you would like to book Fergal Mc Grath Photography for your own Rosapenna Pavillion Downings Wedding please use the contact me section of this website.