Well-known Killybegs man Shane McCrudden thought he was going to spend his honeymoon with a few days in Waterford after his beautiful wedding on Saturday last.
But the love of his life had other plans.
However, not even Sinead Doogan could have dreamt that things could have worked out so well.
Because not only did they have the best day of their lives with the perfect wedding, but they also had their marriage blessed by new Pope Leo XIV.
As beautiful as the sunny south-east is, Sinead decided in February to surprise Shane with a trip to Rome for their honeymoon.
He only discovered her plan on the morning of their wedding when she left a letter for him at his house telling him of their trip to the famous city.
Speaking from Rome, Shane told Donegal Daily that he was simply gobsmacked by the gesture.
“I’ve been to most places in Ireland but I always fancied spending a few days in Waterford and I thought that was where we were going.
Shane and Sinead following their wedding reception at An Chuairt Hotel in Gaoth Dobhair.
“But Sinead surprised me with this trip to Rome and only told me in a letter she left at my house on Saturday morning last before the wedding.
“It was a beautiful surprise but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead to the most incredible few days we have just had,” he said.
The couple enjoyed the most beautiful wedding mass at St Mary of the Visitation Church in Killybegs before a memorable reception at An Chuairt Hotel under the shadow of Errigal before heading out to Rome on Tuesday.
As organised as she is, Sinead did not plan for them to arrive in the middle of the succession plans of a new Pope into the Vatican following the passing of the late Pope Francis.
The couple visited St Peter’s Square on Wednesday before returning again yesterday only to be disappointed by the bellows of black smoke from the chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel.
However, a local priest from Mexico whom Shane got chatting to suggested they should hang around as he felt news on the new Pope would not be far away.
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