First civil ceremony at Limerick's Thomond Park as Munster fans tie the knot
THERE have been many memorable matches in Thomond Park and happy couple Sue Collins and Barry Hogan, who will tie the knot there on Friday, aim to make it another one.
While a number of wedding receptions have been celebrated in the stadium, this will be the first wedding ceremony.
Sue from Roscrea and Barry from Portroe, say they are huge Munster fans, so where better to exchange vows?
The couple who have been together for 11 years are loyal footsoldiers of the Red Army and wanted to do something different for their big day.
"I asked myself where could we go that was local to everybody and is not a hotel. I came up with the idea of Thomond Park and asked Barry what would you think of that and of course Barry went for it like a bee to honey," said Sue.
Mr Hogan couldn't believe it when his bride-to-be suggested the idea as it was always in the back of his mind to get married there.
"When she said it to me I couldn't believe it, to be honest. It was always there (in my mind] but I never mentioned it," said Barry.
John Cantwell, stadium director, is well used to capacity crowds of 26,000 but for the 150 family and friends going to the wedding there is plenty to check too.
"We've had quite a few wedding receptions and they've been very successful. A few months ago we got a request to facilitate a wedding ceremony. It will be the very first civic ceremony so they're obviously very good Munster fans.
"It won't be on the pitch, it will be in the main Thomond suite overlooking the pitch. That entire floor, the largest suite in the stadium, will be converted into a hall for the ceremony," said Mr Cantwell.
He says that they have had to turn one or two marriage ceremonies away as rugby is their first priority and the occasions coincided with Heineken Cup and Magners League dates.
Any other time of the year he says they are happy to host weddings and the only thing they are lacking is beds.
From the ceremony to the photographs to the meal and music everything will be held in Thomond Park this Friday.
"We don't have any bedrooms yet but we might start working on that as demand dictates," laughed Mr Cantwell.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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