Síle Lynch and Ethan Kerin

Hotel Woodstock, Ennis, Co. Clare

Photos courtesy of White Thorn Media

The Meet

Síle Lynch and Ethan Kerin first met almost two decades ago. Ethan, then a teenager, had recently moved to Síle’s hometown, Aughanteeroe in Ennis, Co. Clare. One day Ethan was unlucky enough to trip over a bar sticking out of the wall, falling in front of three other teenagers from the area – Síle and her friends. Síle’s loud infectious laugh could be heard for miles. It was the start of a love story. 

The Engagement

 The pair dated for ten years before getting engaged on August 6, 2016. That day, Síle arrived home from work as usual, only to be greeted at the door by Ethan holding out a glass of Prosecco and some envelopes. Inside the envelopes were old Valentine’s cards that Ethan had kept over the years. The cards contained pieces of jigsaw puzzles. Síle put together the puzzle to reveal a photo of them taken soon after they first became a couple, but one line of the puzzle was missing. Ethan asked her to close her eyes as he fitted the last piece, which contained the words ‘will you marry me’? When Síle opened her eyes, she saw the puzzle complete and Ethan down on one knee holding a ring. There were tears of joy. The answer was of course ‘yes’. 

The Wedding

On June 24, 2023 Síle and Ethan were married at the Hotel Woodstock in Ennis. 160 guests attended, watching Síle walk up the aisle to ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ by Savage Garden. Their wedding celebrant, John Burns, brought about both belly laughter and tears in his anecdotes about Síle and Ethan. On the day, the quarter final of the All-Hurling Senior Hurling Championship took place. The Clare v Dublin match livened up the drinks reception on TVs provided by the hotel. The hotel even arranged to delay the dinner reception so guests could enjoy the end of the game excitement, with Clare beating Dublin. Ethan stunned in a suit from Esquire Formal Menswear in Limerick. Their words of advice for others planning a wedding: ‘Do not stress!’ They made a solemn agreement before the wedding that no matter what happened on the day, they would not let things get in the way of enjoying the best day of their lives. And ‘thankfully nothing did’!

How was your experience with Hotel Woodstock? 

“Our wedding experience at the Hotel Woodstock was nothing short of magical, as they seamlessly transformed our special day into a fairytale. From the heartfelt ceremony to the exquisite dinner reception and the festivities of day two, the hotel proved to be the perfect backdrop for every moment. Elaine and Seán, not just owners but dedicated wedding coordinators, went above and beyond to ensure that every detail was flawlessly executed, leaving us to revel in the joy of our celebration. Their warmth and attention to detail made us feel not just like guests, but cherished members of the hotel’s extended family. Throughout the entire event, the staff, embodying the spirit of hospitality, were readily available, making us feel genuinely embraced by their genuine care and commitment. We couldn’t have asked for a more welcoming and accommodating venue for our special occasion. The Hotel Woodstock holds a special place in our hearts, forever tied to the beautiful memories of our wedding day.” hotelwoodstock.ie

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