AISLING KELLETT AND PATRICK O’ROURKE were married in the Church of St Laurence O’Toole, Levitstown, Co Kildare, on July 3rd, by Fr Liam Morgan, a friend and next-door neighbour of the bride’s parents.
Aisling is the daughter of Mrs Anne Kellett and Rtd Comdt Noel Kellett of Browneshill Road, Carlow. The youngest of seven children, she was educated at the St Leo Convent of Mercy, Carlow and has a BA in French and geography from Maynooth College. She is a placement officer with Carlow Volunteer Centre, which focuses on community and local voluntary organisations. She is also a qualified basketball referee and referees all over the south east.
Patrick is the youngest son of John and Elizabeth O’Rourke of Kingsbry, Maynooth, Co Kildare. He was educated at St Mary’s secondary school and went on to study engineering at Maynooth College. He works for ESB International and is currently working on projects across Europe. His only brother, Dr Declan O’Rourke, was his best man. His groomsman James Mullarkey travelled for the occasion from New Zealand, where he plays rugby with the New Zealand University squad.
Patrick and Aisling met more than four years ago during their final year at NUI Maynooth. During a surprise trip to New York for Aisling’s birthday in August 2007, Patrick proposed while they were on a Hudson River cruise, nearing the Statue of Liberty. They later went to Tiffany’s – “very romantic” – where Aisling chose her ring.
The bride was greatly supported by her large family on her wedding day. “I had so much help from my three sisters and my bridesmaids, and my brother, Dr Andrew Kellett, drove me to the church, so I didn’t feel too nervous.” Their friends Joan Farrell and Francis Butler sang the prayer and the couple’s daughter, Alexandra, took her first steps the day before the wedding so she was able to walk up the aisle with Aisling’s bridesmaids.
The music was provided by the Gospel Project, which really added a “celebratory air” to the day. Their 150 guests at the Wolseley Hotel were steeped with champagne and glorious sunshine, which encouraged everyone to linger in the landscaped gardens.
The couple spent a week in Dubrovnik before returning to their home in Carlow.