When Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson married Scottish DJ Hector Barbour (known professionally as Denis Sulta) in a three-day celebration at Dromquinna Manor in Kenmare, County Kerry in August last year, it quickly went viral. Vogue was the first to share the story, followed by multiple outlets on both sides of the Atlantic. But behind the headlines was something much more personal: a wedding weekend designed entirely around family, heritage, and fun. I loved working with this creative couple and bringing their unique vision to life!
I first met Saoirse and Hector about eighteen months before the wedding, when they told me they wanted to bring everyone they loved together for a proper Irish celebration on the west coast. They wanted the sea nearby, space for their guests to stay together for the weekend, and a celebration that honoured both their Irish and Scottish roots. Just as importantly, they wanted it to feel relaxed, joyful, and surprising, and for tradition and theatricality to sit comfortably side by side. The results were truly something special. And while Tara Fay Events has produced many high profile weddings over the years, no matter the client, the goal is always the same: to create a celebration that feels entirely authentic to the people at the centre of it.
From the get-go, Saoirse and Hector were clear that they wanted the weekend to feel immersive rather than formal. They wanted to create an environment where their friends and families could relax together, share meals, tell stories, and celebrate late into the night. Dromquinna Manor turned out to be the perfect setting for that vision. Tucked along the shores of Kenmare Bay, it offered everything they were looking for: privacy, sweeping views of the water, space for a full weekend of celebrations, and fantastic hospitality. From the moment Saoirse first saw it, we knew we’d found the one.
The Brennan family and their team bring a level of warmth and service that’s hard to replicate. Food is prepared fresh on site, much of it sourced locally. For a couple like Saoirse and Hector, who wanted the weekend to feel laid-back and generous rather than overly staged, that approach suited the spirit of the celebration perfectly.
Guests arrived on the Friday to a pizza and drinks reception, giving everyone time to settle into Dromquinna’s lakeside setting. Saturday was the main event, beginning with a ceremony that tipped its hat to Irish culture through music, language, and storytelling, before unfolding into dinner, speeches, and a series of surprises that kept the energy building throughout the night. By the time the dancefloor opened, the atmosphere had shifted to something closer to a festival. Sunday brought a gentler close to the weekend with a breakfast barbecue and mimosas, before the celebrations continued in the nearby village of Sneem. It was the kind of destination wedding that feels like a shared adventure for those who attend.
From our earliest conversations, Saoirse had a wonderfully clear vision for how she wanted the wedding to feel. It needed to pay homage to both her Irish roots and Hector’s Scottish heritage, but it also had to reflect their personalities – creative, slightly rebellious, and not afraid of a little drama. My role was really about helping that vision take shape across the weekend, bringing together the right creative partners and making sure every detail felt cohesive rather than contrived.
Florist Mark Grehan at The Garden played a big part in achieving that balance. Saoirse didn’t want anything overly structured or formal; she wanted the flowers to feel as though they belonged naturally to the landscape around Dromquinna. Mark has an incredible instinct for reading a setting, and he built arrangements that echoed the gardens outside, with soft foliage, loose textures, and plenty of seasonal blooms. Lilac tones appeared throughout as a tribute to Saoirse’s granny, whose favourite colour it had been, and we carried those shades through into the candles and table details so everything felt subtly connected. The bride’s bouquet was a mix of white flowers and foliage, and looked like it had been freshly picked from the Dromquinna gardens.
Fashion was another major element of the creative direction. Working alongside stylist Katie Bryce, Saoirse created a bridal look that was fun, fashion-forward and effortlessly cool. Her Annie’s Ibiza gown, inspired in part by a Dior runway design, combined lace, puff sleeves and corsetry in a way that was equal parts romantic and rock ‘n roll. One of my favourite details was the reversible corset lined with tartan, a nod to Hector’s Scottish heritage that was revealed later in the evening as the dress transformed for dancing (a surprise for the groom!). The bridesmaids wore emerald-green dresses by Rat & Boa, which complemented the kilts worn by many of the Scottish guests. Saoirse also wore Eily O’Connell emerald jewellery, while she gifted her bridesmaids custom pieces made by another Irish jewellery designer, Fada.
Throughout the design we tried to keep the atmosphere playful and full of personality. The stationery, created by a close friend of Hector’s, introduced graphic elements that reappeared across the weekend, while little surprises, like the purple smoke that filled the air as the couple exited the ceremony, added moments of theatre without overwhelming the setting. It was exactly the sort of creative brief I love: thoughtful, expressive, and full of small details that meant something.
By the time the cake was cut (with a conga line leading the way, naturally), the dancefloor had taken on a life of its own. Live music by , a DJ set from Dateline’s Steven Simpson, and the sheer enthusiasm of the guests meant the party carried on well into the wee hours.
Saoirse and Hector’s wedding had it all: personality, family, creativity, and an unforgettable celebration by the sea. For me, it was also a wonderful reminder of how Irish weddings can feel both deeply rooted in tradition and super contemporary. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Ireland or looking for an experienced planner who understands the unique considerations that come with high-profile celebrations, I would love to hear from you.
Slán go Fóill,
Tara
Planner: Tara Fay Events | Venue: Dromquinna Manor | Photographer: Story of Eve | Bridal Stylist: Katie Bryce | Dress Designer: Annie’s Ibiza | Groom’s Kilt: MacGregor and MacDuff | Bridesmaids Dresses: Rat & Boa | Bride’s Jewellery: Eily O’Connell | Bridesmaids’ Jewellery: Fada | Hair: Timothy David | Makeup: Robyn Wheeler | Videographer: Muse of Marquise | Flowers: The Garden
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