Orlaith and Niall, 23.04.27

Orlaith and Niall An Lá Mór (the big day) 23.04.27, Rang (class): Everybody

THE COPYBOOK, 88 pages, wide ruled, made between Limerick and Derry

This copy belongs to

NamesOrlaith Woods and Niall McDermott
Schoolwherever the other one is
Subjectus
DateFriday 23 April 2027

Lovely cover. Keep it safe, there will be questions later.

page 1

An Nuacht (the news)

Our news, written up properly. Corrected in red where it needed it, which was nowhere.

The day it started

Today Niall gave Orlaith a thumbs up at a basketball match. He says it was very smooth. She says it was a thumbs up.

Maith thú! (well done!)
That same night

Everybody went to Shake Dog after. Niall and Orlaith talked for ages and ages and the chips went cold. Nobody minded one bit.

great detail
Geography

Orlaith is from Limerick and very proud of it. Niall is from Derry and very proud of that. The two counties have agreed to share.

The Dubai years

Orlaith went to live in Dubai for two whole years. Niall visited five times. Miss, that is a lot of flights for one thumbs up.

checked, correct
The best news of all

In Kilkee, where Orlaith went every summer when she was small, Niall asked a very big question beside the sea. She said yes.

the whole class is delighted

Rough work only. The pair of them still owe the class the full story, and it goes in the good copy with the invites.

page 2

5/5

New words

This week's list. Learn them for Friday. There will not be a test, there will be a wedding.

  1. 1.fiancéeOrlaith said yes, so Orlaith is Niall's fiancée until the 23rd of April, and his wife after that.
  2. 2.MonaleenThe wedding Mass is in Monaleen Church in Limerick at 1 o'clock, so everybody needs their good clothes on early.
  3. 3.WoodlandsAfter the church the whole class goes out to the Woodlands Hotel and Spa in Adare for the dinner and the dancing.
  4. 4.KilkeeNiall asked the big question in Kilkee in Co. Clare, beside the sea, where Orlaith spent her summers when she was small.
  5. 5.foreverThis one was easy. They picked each other forever. correct usage
page 3

Sums

Show all workings. They did. Every answer checked in red and every answer right.

1 thumbs up + 1 chat in Shake Dog = 1 couple

1 Limerick + 1 Derry = 2 proud counties, 1 house

2 years in Dubai + 5 flights over = 1 sure thing

298 guests ÷ 2 days = no quiet corners

23
+ 04
+ 27
the big day

full marks

page 4

The timetable

Friday 23 April 2027. Miss Woods marries Coach McDermott and the whole class has the day out.

TimeLesson
12:30Line upDoors of Monaleen Church, Castletroy. Early birds get the good pews.
1:00ReligionThe ceremony itself, all eyes forward. Taking the class: Monsignor Dan Neenan. Music: Jessica Brett.
2:30School tour, part oneOut to the Woodlands Hotel and Spa, Adare, 25 minutes away. The newlyweds travel by 1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, everybody else by car. Drinks on arrival and Jessica Brett plays on.
5:00Dinner timeSit where your card says. Speeches with dessert: story time, lengths ambitious.
8:30P.E.The Bentley Boys take the floor, then the DJ till late. Full participation expected, no notes from home accepted.
LateHome timeOr stay put, most of the class is sleeping over.

Working plan, final times with the invites. The 1 o'clock Mass is the fixed point, the rest is pencilled in.

page 5

Notice: the school tour

day two, and everybody is going

artist's impression
When
Saturday 24 April 2027, from 4:00 PM.
Where
The Treehouse, at the Woodlands.
Transport
None needed. It is at the hotel, so the bus in the drawing is purely decorative. Walk down when you surface.
Bring
Comfy clothes, sore heads, yesterday's stories.
Cost
Nothing.
Permission
Already granted. Everybody on the invite list is invited, no exceptions.

Our class

Drawn from memory. Likenesses approximate, loyalty exact.

Orlaith and Niall on a basketball court, each holding a trophy cup
Miss Woods and Coach McDermott. They are getting married.

The bridesmaids

Avril CrosseBridesmaid
Rhea McMahonBridesmaid
chief!
Sarah JaneChief Bridesmaid
LauraBridesmaid

The groomsmen

Feargal McDermottGroomsman
Gary CampbellGroomsman
Sean DohertyGroomsman
Ciaran LockhartGroomsman
Best manSeat saved

Roll book note: Sarah Jane and Laura, surnames being checked against the roll. Best man to be announced, the seat is kept warm.

page 6

Our news in pictures

art wall, term three, curated by the whole class

Windswept selfie of Orlaith and Niall on an Irish headland
very windy but very happy
Piggyback on a desert dune at sunset in Dubai
Dubai. he visited 5 times.
Kneeling in the snow beside two king penguins
we met penguins. they were small.
picture of the week Showing off the engagement ring beside the Christmas tree
look at the ring!!
On a Greek hillside, Orlaith in a pink dress
summer holidays
Golden hour together in the Spanish hills
the sun going down in Spain
At a concert under yellow lights
very very loud
Under a neon sign that reads Disco Made Me Do It
the disco made them do it
The whole family group on court with trophies on cup day
cup day with the whole gang

Sleeps to go

counting sleeps

one tally mark for every ten sleeps, we are not made of chalk

the roll is being called

counted fresh every morning, straight after the roll

page 7
Practice copy

Permission slip

This is the practice copy. The real slip goes home with the invites in January 2027, and it will work for keeps.

The pupil(s) will be there for:

Slips back by 1 March 2027 (to be confirmed on the invites). No slip? Tell any of the wedding party instead, word always reaches the top table.

Ask teacher

Questions from the back of the room, answered in print so there is no arguing.

Q. What do we wear?
A. Your absolute best. Colour is welcome and comfort is wise. Two rules only: no white unless you are the bride, and no club jerseys. Yes, that includes both clubs. We know you.
Q. Is Saturday really for everyone?
A. Completely. The Treehouse at the Woodlands from 4:00 PM, comfy clothes, sore heads welcome. If you are within reach of Adare, you are expected.
Q. Can we bring the kids?
A. Your invite will name everyone included. Check it when it lands, and just ask if you are not sure.
Q. Phones in the church?
A. The ruling arrives with the invites. Either way, Black Diamond Photography and MDA Productions have every angle covered, so you can watch this one with your actual eyes.
Q. What about presents?
A. Your presence is the present, most of ye are crossing the country for us. There will be a card box on the day, and that is the end of that conversation.
Q. When is the slip due back?
A. 1 March 2027, to be confirmed on the invites. Do it now while you are thinking of it, it takes thirty seconds.
Q. What is the weather plan?
A. April in Ireland, so all four seasons before the soup. Everything important is indoors. Bring a coat for the photos.

Getting to school

Monaleen Church

Castletroy, Limerick. Doors at 12:30, Mass at 1:00 PM. Map

The Woodlands

Adare, Co. Limerick, 25 minutes from the church. Dinner, dancing and Saturday's tour, all under one roof. Map

From the North

M1 then M7. About 4 hours from Belfast, closer to 5 from Derry. The Thursday night convoy is the pro move.

Flying in

Shannon is 30 minutes away, Cork about 1¾ hours, Dublin about 2½.

Staying over

The Woodlands itself (mention the wedding when you book), the Dunraven Arms in Adare, or Limerick city: the Strand, the Clayton or the George, 25 minutes away.

Parking and taxis

Plenty of parking at the Woodlands. Church parking notes and taxi numbers follow with the invites, and the hotel desk sorts stragglers, however late.

page 8