Wedding bells for Laois born Ballymaloe chef Rory O'Connell
Famous friends Clodagh McKenna, Richard E. Grant and Imelda May amongst well wishers for happy couple
Laois native and co-founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School Rory O’Connell has tied the knot.
The renowned chef, teacher, author and creator of television series How To Cook Well, has married his partner, Irish financier Ruaidri Carmody.
The wedding took place in the beautiful surrounds of Ballymaloe House Hotel this October, with Rory sharing photos of the delectable food and drink enjoyed by the wedding guests.
“One week married. What a day it was. So much joy,” Rory said on his Instagram page Rorysfood.
Among the famous names congratulating the happy couple, is actor and Traitors star Richard E Grant.
“MIGHTY CONGRATULATIONS to you both!,” the actor said.
Singer Imelda May sent her happy wishes also.
“Oh SO delighted for you both X.” she said.
Chef Clodagh McKenna shared a lovely photo from the wedding.
“A truly magical day celebration the wedding of the most special two people in our lives @rorysfood & @rcarmody4 at @ballymaloe_house We love you both SO much seeing you both married in Cork was one of the happiest days ever…
“Wedding desert trolley of dreams by the fabulous @jrryall and the most incredible dinner by head chef Dervilla Flynn @ballymaloe_house I ate it so fast I forgot to take a photo . Thank you Rory & Ruairí for having us part of this very special day…,” she said, with a reply from Rory.
“We loved having you both - the most special darling friends @clodagh_mckenna @harry_m_herbert to share our most special day,” he said.
Many other chefs also congratulated the happy couple, including Neven Maguire.
Rory found love with Ruadhri back in 2021, as he told the Sunday Independent.
“I was sitting in Heathrow airport on my way back from a weekend in London and I was bored waiting for the flight to board. So I went on Tinder and I met this very nice man and it went from there."
He said it taught him how "wonderful and important" love is.
"I knew it all along but it's just glorious, isn't it? You just find yourself staring in an adoring way and then you realise, 'Oh God, I'm staring'. It's the joy of someone you adore and the ease and familiarity you get being able to talk to them about your day, the good and the bad.
"It's the utter joy of companionship and all of the clichés."
Rory and his sister Darina Allen are frequent visitors back home to see their family and support community events in Cullohill.
The O’Connell family grew up in the village learning their first cooking and business skills from their widowed mother Elizabeth.
Their family pub and shop has just been reopened by retired Gardaí John and Anne-Marie Scanlan as a gastropub and guesthouse, with Darina and other members of the O’Connell family attending the official opening of the Laois business, performed by Marty Morrissey.
Family members also feature each year at the laois festivals Folly Festival.