With over 100 guests in attendance, the wedding of celebrated Irish violinist Gregory Harrington and his American bride Kelly Downey was a seamless blend of contemporary style and tradition …
The Couple
As an internationally renowned Irish violinist, Dublin-born Gregory is celebrated for his multi-genre style. He is based in New York City, where he has performed in iconic venues from Carnegie Hall, in addition to special invites to the White House in Washington DC. President Biden invited him to the Oval Office after a performance for Congress. The President also sent the couple his good wishes on their wedding.
From Michigan, Kelly has Cork ancestry and is the Senior Vice President of Communications for Shamin Abas, specialising in luxury brands and a diverse range of events from restaurateur’s Daniel Boulud to Space Perspective, Zinger Cars and the Palm Beach Boat show. Kelly also modeled when she was younger; Gregory says they share a sense of elegance and artistry as well as similar interests including a passion for culture and travel.
Their love story began in 2019 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side at a wine bar, just before the pandemic. Gregory proposed in 2023 atop a mountain in Bergen, Norway, overlooking the fjords, and the engagement was featured in The New York Times’ coveted vows section.
The Civil Ceremony
Prior to the wedding, they had a civil ceremony in New York. “We held it at City Hall,” Gregory explains. “I wore a sleek black suit by Proper Cloth and Kelly chose a white suit by Theory, adding an understated elegance to the occasion. The ceremony was an intimate moment shared with close friends, marking the beginning of our journey to Ireland for the larger celebration.”
The Wedding Venue: Bellingham Castle, Co Louth
“We chose Bellingham Castle because it gave us a setting that was not only beautiful, but also felt intimate and personal,” says Gregory. “We had visited several venues, but the very first time we drove up the castle’s tree-lined driveway, saw the gates open and were greeted by an Irish wolfhound at the door, we knew it aligned with the vision of what we wanted an Irish castle wedding to be. It was a personal connection that ran deeper than just aesthetics – the warmth of the staff and the serenity of the grounds made us feel immediately at home. As we had quite an international guestlist coming from all corners of the globe, we felt that this would be a beautiful place for our family and friends to come together, celebrating in a place that embodied Irish elegance and charm.”
Kelly and Gregory planned everything themselves, rather than outsourcing to a wedding planner. They said the castle’s team made the whole experience seamless, which took the stress out of the day.
The Style
Kelly wore a Pnina Tornai gown with lace detailing, which felt like an extension of the castle’s charm, and she loved that the greenery of the grounds was reflected in the delicate appliqué. Her ring was her mother-in-law’s engagement ring, featuring an opal from his grandmother. She also wore her grandmother’s angel pin in her bouquet.
Gregory wore a bespoke Black Irish Linen Tuxedo by Proper Cloth. He honoured his late friend Christo by wearing his pocket square, as well as his father’s cufflinks. His boutonniere included lily of the valley, a flower his mother loved, making his attire deeply personal.
The Ceremony
Held on the grounds of Bellingham Castle, Gregory and Kelly exchanged vows before their 120 guests under an arch adorned with ammi visnaga, viburnum snowballs and trailing ruscus, beautifully arranged by Laura Chalcroft of Iris & the Bee. The wedding décor was in a palette of white and green, with floral arrangements designed with local greenery and white florals like lisianthus Alissa Pure and David Austin Patience roses.
Their close friend David O’Leary officiated the ceremony, while the couple’s godparents served as ring bearers, with Gregory’s godmother (in her late 80s) traveling from New Zealand and Kelly’s godfather joining from Michigan.
The Reception
The reception was held in the Bute Suite, where guests enjoyed supper, speeches and toasts. Nettle soup was part of the menu – a nod to Irish tradition and the many guests who had traveled to celebrate with them.
The Music
As a celebrated violinist, music was central to Gregory’s vision for the day. He arranged the ceremony music, performed by cellists Eleanor Norton and Ailbhe McDonagh. At the reception, he surprised Kelly by performing two songs, starting with Zombie by The Cranberries – a song with special significance from a private pandemic performance he had once given for her at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York. Rather than have a first dance, Kelly had asked Gregory to perform a piece for her. He created an original composition, Til the End of Time, which reduced many guests to tears. Gregory had carefully curated the rest of the evening’s playlists, while the band Poplife also ensured everyone danced the night away.
The Honeymoon
The couple decided to delay their honeymoon to fully enjoy their time with family and friends. They organised a welcome party at The Clermont in Blackrock, Dundalk for guests, followed by a Friday pub crawl through Dublin with over 40 friends to wrap up the festivities. After that, the couple enjoyed a mini moon at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Galway.
Their Best Moments
Gregory: “Listening to Kelly’s vows, which included a letter to my parents, was incredibly moving. Giving my speech and seeing everyone we love gathered together under one roof felt magical.”
Kelly: “Greg’s composition for me was a beautiful surprise. It captured everything I felt, but couldn’t put into words. I’ll cherish that moment forever.”
Gregory & Kelly’s Little Black Book
Photography: Nick O’Keeffe Photography
Wedding Content Creator: Your Story, By Elle
Make-up: Jess Mulpeter
Hair: Michelle O’Halloran