Singer joined by host of musical friends for Inishbofin wedding

Galileo must have been smiling on Declan O’Rourke last Saturday night following the singer’s wedding to fiancée Eimear O’Grady on the island of Inishbofin.

A supermoon hovered overhead as the happy couple were joined by 180 guests for a reception, which featured the best of local produce, followed by a session that included some of the top names in Irish music, including Paul Brady, Damien Dempsey and John Sheehan of the Dubliners.

Dublin-born Declan, who lives in Kinvara with Eimear, a professional musician and part-time stuntwoman, has been a regular visitor to the island for some seven years. He takes part in the summer season of concerts held in the Dolphin Hotel, which are organised by local woman and musician Geraldine King.

Eimer O’Grady….musician and stuntwoman.

The Dolphin looked after the catering for the wedding reception, following a civil ceremony on Dumhach Beach on the island’s east side. The reception took place in a marquee on private land nearby.  Guests basked in sunshine at the reception – according to one local wag, the Child of Prague had been keeping watch on the beach for the previous week to ensure fine weather.

After the wedding meal, which included local produce, such as crab, lobster, pollock, mackerel, lamb, and a pig on a spit, there was an evening of music.

Everyone was welcomed to the celebration, where there were songs from Paul Brady, and a duet from Damien Dempsey and Declan O’Rourke as well as tunes from the cream of Irish musicians and performers from America and Australia.

As a glorious full moon lit up the sky, Declan sang his best-known song Galileo to a huge reaction. He had previously sung it on Tuesday night, when he played his annual concert at the Dolphin Hotel.

The following evening, guests enjoyed a barbecue at the marquee, also catered by the Dolphin. Declan and Eimear left the island on Tuesday, following their perfect wedding, which had been a year in the planning.