Medical Negligence solicitor Francesca Glynn married P.A. Duffy partner Conal McGarrity at Castle Leslie in September 2021.

Photographer: Wild Fern

The Meeting & Proposal

Conal and I met at Queen’s University Belfast, where we were both studying Law. We went out for a walk in the Mourne Mountains one day (in the hills above Rostrevor, where we were staying for the weekend), and Conal proposed to me at the “Kodak Corner” on the slopes of Slieve Martin overlooking Carlingford Lough.

Irish bride and groom kissing in front of the lake on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

White flowers sitting on a blue and pink chair

White leather ted baker high heel with a large bow on the front

Irish bride and groom standing arm in arm outside a cathedral

The Venue

We went to see several venues, but as soon as we went through the gates into Castle Leslie, we knew right away that this was the place we wanted to have our wedding reception. On the day we visited the Castle Estate, there was torrential rain, but as soon as we saw the castle beside the lake and its surrounding grounds, the weather didn’t matter anymore. We were completely taken by such a magical place.

Irish bride and groom walking together down an old stone staircase on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

Bride and groom sitting at their wedding table laughing together during the father of the bride speech

Inside of a large white marquee, a selection of brown tables and chairs draped with white fabric and covered with tableware

Grey stone building next to a large white marquee in Castle Leslie estate in Ireland

Irish bride and groom walking on a wooden pontoon over the lake on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

The Entertainment

I first came across the Muddler’s Club “The Band” on a Christmas work night out in Belfast (The Dirty Onion) in 2018. It was a memorable night out, and the band definitely contributed to that. It was pre-Covid times, and everyone was dancing and singing along to the songs, “Galway Girl” being the most memorable. It was two years later, following my engagement, that I managed to track them down.

Irish Bride and groom sitting at their wedding table looking into each-others eyes during the groom speech

Four tier white wedding cake on a glass table with warm white string lights in the background

Grey stone building in Castle Leslie estate in Ireland with a string quartet inside

Irish bride and father of the bride walking down the aisle of an Irish church

Wedding Dress & Groom’s Suit

I had tried on a number of dresses, probably between 15-20, in about five bridal boutiques in the north. Petticoat Lane in Hillsborough was the final stop. I found this boutique different to the rest; I felt very welcome by the lovely girls that own/run it; there was no time pressure on my slot that ran slightly over, nor did I feel any pressure to purchase a gown. I knew straight away when I put on the Sassi Holford, Vanessa gown that this was the one for me. Not only was it elegant and timeless, it was extremely comfortable!  I picked this gown for our original wedding date in May 2020, and even though we had to postpone it for 16 months, I still loved it as much when I first tried it on. I always knew that I wanted a Black-Tie wedding, but I wanted the Groom’s suit to be slightly different to the guests, and we chose a black velvet blazer to contract with the guests (and groomsmen) suits.

White Sassi Holford satin wedding dress hung up on a doorframe with a wooden hanger

Irish bride and groom embracing on an old stone staircase on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

Irish bride getting out of a grey car in a white satin Sassi Holford wedding dress

Irish bride standing next to a dark brown wooden church door in a white satin Sassi Holford wedding dress

Irish bride standing next to a large bay window in a white satin Sassi Holford wedding dress

The Bridesmaids

Unfortunately, my only sister Georgia, who lives in Sydney, Australia, could not make it home to be my bridesmaid for the wedding because of the Covid pandemic. However, my aunt, Jennifer Atchison - younger sister to my mother - was happy to take my sister’s place as the sole bridesmaid. Luckily enough, I chose a bridesmaid dress that was a convertible wrap dress that one size fits all – Twobirds New York. It was a very flattering dress that could be customised in a number of different ways.

Irish bride with bridesmaid in a long white dress standing in front of a window in Castle Leslie

Irish bride and groom with bridesmaid in a long white dress, three groomsmen in black tuxedos and two small boys in white shirts with black suspenders standing in front of a group of trees

Irish groom with three groomsmen in black tuxedos and two small boys in white shirts with black suspenders standing in front of a group of trees

Irish bride and groom with bridesmaid in a long white dress, three groomsmen in black tuxedos and two small boys in white shirts with black suspenders standing in front of a window in Castle Leslie

Irish bride in a white wedding dress and veil with and her mother in a long white dress walking from the car to the church while holding up her dress skirt

Best Decision

The best decision, by far, was the venue and making it a 2-day, black-tie event.

Irish bride and groom kissing in front of a grey stone building on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

Irish bride and groom embracing in front of the lake on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

Worst Decision

The worst decision was putting the wedding off until 2020 when the pandemic hit!

Irish bride and groom embracing in in a grey and red stone building on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland

Irish bride and groom kissing in front of the lake on the grounds of Castle Leslie in Ireland