Sam Maguire makes surprise appearance at Mayo wedding
Couple arrived to wedding at Broadhaven Bay Hotel in Belmullet by helicopter
Move over Electric Picnic ... there was only one ticket everyone wanted last weekend – an invite to the wedding of John Meers from Bonniconlon, Co Mayo, and Sligo Weekender director Dorothy Crean.
The popular couple married in Kilglass Church on Friday last before swapping four wheels for rotor blades, arriving at the Broadhaven Bay Hotel in Belmullet by helicopter.
But just when guests thought that was the biggest surprise of the day, the newlyweds made an entrance that nobody saw coming – proudly carrying Sam Maguire into the reception.
The 460 guests hadn't even had a chance to taste their starters before MC Scruffy Duffy had the place hopping to Green and Red of Mayo. Cutlery was abandoned, seats were left empty, and within minutes the reception looked less like a wedding and more like an All-Ireland homecoming.
Any hopes of an early night disappeared faster than the drinks.
With music from crowd favourites 'One for the Road', special appearances from rebel singer Eimhear Ní Ghlacáin, and entertainment that just kept coming, the celebrations rolled on for four unforgettable days.
The final curtain didn't fall until the early hours of Tuesday morning, when many of the survivors were spotted giving it one last dance at the Bonniconlon Show Dance.
Guests have since admitted they weren't sure whether they had attended a wedding, a concert, a festival or an All-Ireland celebration.
One guest joked: “I've been to weddings before... but this was MeersFest! I think I need a week's annual leave just to recover.”
Another added: “The only thing missing was wristbands and a campsite!”
Rumours are now circulating that MeersFest 2027 will be a sell out ... although organisers Dorothy and John have not commented!