Wedding of the Week: Cork couple’s chance meeting after Point to Point led to marriage

KINSALE couple Orla Wright and Paul Moloney mark 10 years together this month.

The couple, who grew up just down the road from each other, now live in Ballinhassig.

Orla recalls their first meeting.

We first met when we were kids, both had an interest in horses.

“We hadn’t seen each other for close to 20 years and a chance encounter in the Bacchus night club in Kinsale after the Point to Point weekend in June, 2014, is where our story really started. We met for a coffee soon after and, well, as they say, the rest is history.”

They got engaged at a Garth Brooks concert in Dublin, in September, 2022.

“It was a total surprise for me as I wasn’t expecting it at a concert. I obviously said yes anyway,” said Orla.

They were married on April 20 in St John the Baptist Church, Kinsale.

This was very special for us both, and having my almost 88-year-old dad there to walk me up the aisle made it even more special. 

“We were blessed that all our parents were present and our kids and family and close friends,” said Orla.

Their four children were there, as well as the couple’s parents, their dog Myles, and one of their horses, Damut, also made an appearance for photographs.

“Damut turned 16 the day we got married … he was really what kept us together in earlier years, travelling the country with him to various races, and thankfully now retired and living his best life as my therapist,” said Orla.

The church was decorated by Catherine and her team from West Cork Flowers.

The reception was held in the Celtic Ross in Rosscarbery.

“Eva and her team were amazing to deal with and made everything so easy,” the bride said.

The cake was a mixture of cupcakes and cake, by Theresa Treats.

The band were the Celtic Knights, who kept the floor full all night.

First dance was to Perfect For Me by Bradley Marshall.

As to the most memorable thing about the day?

I think the weather really made the day, we had seven months of rain and our day was absolutely beautiful, there was no need for the Child of Prague.

“Everything about the day was amazing, it was honestly the best day of our lives. The day goes by so fast, no matter how hard you try to slow it down. I’d do it all over again in the morning.”