VOWS: HELEN WHITE and Paul Cregan, both barristers, were married recently in Ballintubber Abbey, outside Castlebar, Co Mayo, by Fr Desmond Grogan. The reception was held in the Connaught Room at Ashford Castle, overlooking Lough Corrib.
Helen, who grew up in Shropshire, is the daughter of Peter and the late Patricia White. She has two sisters, Clare and Jo, who were at the wedding, and she was grateful for the support of her mother’s sister, Lady Parker, and her uncle, Sir Eric Parker. There were no bridesmaids. Helen completed a doctorate in archaeology at the University of Cambridge before qualifying as a barrister. Like her husband, she was called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, and practises from chambers in London.
Paul is the son of James and Mary Cregan and he also has two sisters, Patricia and Róisín. He grew up in Sligo and Tipperary and went to University College Cork where he took his BCL (law) degree. He later acquired an MA from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before returning to law, and was called to the bar both in London and at King’s Inns in Dublin.
The couple met when their legal paths crossed. They became engaged in Paris during a trip there for Helen’s birthday; Paul proposed at the Pavillon de la Grande Cascade restaurant in the Bois de Bologne.
Highlights of the wedding included readings by Steve Allison, the bride's brother-in-law, Joe Cregan, the groom's uncle, and Gerard Byrne, the groom's cousin, also known as Malachy Costello from Fair City. Irish music was sung throughout the mass by Annette Griffin.
The bride’s dress, and the groom’s tie, were designed by Jasper Conran. The bride described Ashford Castle as “a truly romantic, Arthurian setting”.
After a honeymoon in the west of Ireland, followed by a few days in Paris, the couple returned to London, where they live.
