Becky & Rob's Kilfenora Pub Wedding: A Timeless Celebration
Some weddings fade from memory and others stay with you for years. Becky & Rob’s day at Vaughan’s Pub in Kilfenora, County Clare will always be one of the latter. Annie and I photographed it together, and for me there was an added layer of meaning because Rob is the brother of my good friend and the brilliantly talented photographer Darren Kirwan. To be trusted by him to document such an important day was an absolute honour.
Kilfenora itself is steeped in history. It is known as the “City of the Crosses” thanks to its medieval cathedral and intricately carved high crosses. It sits at the edge of the Burren, a landscape like no other, rugged and dramatic, and it was the perfect backdrop for such a heartfelt celebration.
Vaughan’s Pub is no ordinary pub. It is a Clare institution. With its roaring fire, its wedding barn for music and dancing, and a focus on genuine hospitality and locally sourced food, it has a warmth that makes every celebration feel like home. Becky & Rob’s wedding had that quality in abundance. It was relaxed, intimate, and full of joy.
There are moments from that day I will never forget. One stands out above all: a frame of Darren and Rob’s two aunties that went on to win both a Fearless Award and a This is Reportage Award. It is still one of my favorite images, not just for the recognition but for what it represents. Family, connection, and the kind of unposed magic that documentary photography is all about.
Looking back now, Becky & Rob’s wedding was more than a pub wedding in Clare. It was a gathering of family and friends in a place that feels timeless. For Annie and me, it was also a reminder of why we do what we do: to preserve stories like this with honesty and heart.
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