Cork couple who met at kickboxing class are wed 

When Breda Kelleher joined her local kickboxing club, she didn’t expect to meet her future husband there.

On a mission to improve her fitness, the Ballingeary woman said she’d try out West Cork Kickboxing Club.

At that time, Tony Stephenson was the instructor there.

“After three months of training, Tony asked me out on a date and we haven’t looked back since,” she said.

Tony grew up in Bantry and today the couple live just outside the town with their two daughters, Isla (7) and Tírna (4).

Breda Kelleher and Tony Stephenson first met when Breda joined her local kickboxing club. Pictures: Davitt Vaughan

They were wed last month at the Fernhill House Hotel in Clonakilty.

“Damian Moloney married us. He did a great job keeping Tony calm,” said Breda.

“It was such a lovely ceremony. It felt so intimate in the newly renovated marquee.”

Becky Philips sang at the ceremony, and her uncle, Marc De Zoten, played the guitar during the wedding and afterwards at the reception.

The bride’s gown was from Finesse Bridal Wear in Listowel.

“Mags was the lady who looked after me. She helped me pick out the most beautiful dress,” said Breda.

“Beautique by Aisling Daly, Skibbereen, did my make-up, Aisling did a fantastic job on myself and the bridesmaids!

“Claire Flynn in Bantry did our hair and also Isla and Tírna’s hair, they were my flower girls and looked like little princesses,” Breda said.

Breda and Tony pictured with their two daughters, Isla and Tírna.

Tony sourced his suit in Quills in Bantry.

Flowers were by Catherine at West Cork Flowers.

The couple wrote their own vows, something they said was “nerve-wrecking, emotional, and also funny”.

Their daughter, Isla, said a reading. “She wasn’t a bit nervous,” the couple said.

Tony and Breda were joined on the day by family and friends including Breda’s brother, Jerry, who travelled from Australia for the occasion.

“My dad passed away five years ago so Jerry did the honour of giving me away.”

One of Breda’s bridesmaids, Jodi, as well as Tony’s aunt Jackie and uncle Thomas, along with his family, also travelled from Australia for the occasion.

Tony’s uncle Martin and auntie Mary, and their family, travelled from the UK for the nuptials.

After the ceremony, the couple hosted a reception for their guests at the hotel.

“They went above and beyond to make sure our day was perfect.

“The weather was amazing after days of rain and floods prior to the wedding. We literally couldn’t fault a single thing!!

“With the weather being good, we were able to stand out and the guests were able to mingle. The canapés were delicious and prosecco was going down a treat!“

Isla and Tírna were flowergirls on the day.

The bride’s friend, Ciaran Seawright, made the couple a wooden three tier cake stand which they filled with cakes from the Stuffed Olive “which got demolished”.

Music at the reception was by the Ian Hendrick Band.

“I must say, they kept us on the dance floor all night, we thoroughly enjoyed them,” the couple said.

Tony proposed to Breda in 2022 at Glengarriff Woods and they were wed last month.

The couple’s first dance was to the Teddy Swims version of You’re Still the One.

Photos on the day were by Davitt Vaughan while Greg Mulcahy was videographer.

“Their work is amazing, plenty of pictures for the walls,” Breda and Tony said.

Asked what was the most memorable thing about the day, the couple said it was “everyone on the dance floor having the best time. It was just the best day of our lives with the people we love the most.”