AOIBHIN GARRIHY

Actress, pictured with her husband, John, and their dogs, Rubie (wearing antlers) and Reggie

What a wonderful year 2016 turned out to be. Two career highlights — playing the famous Sorcha in Ross O’Carroll-Kelly’s

Breaking Dad at the Gaiety Theatre and UCH; and playing Gwendolen Fairfax in the Gate Theatre’s production of The

Importance of Being Earnest in Charleston, South Carolina.

But, of course, tying the knot in September trumped the lot. John, my family and I had a magical day in Doolin and Spanish Point, Co Clare, with our extended family and friends and, it sounds cliched, but it was the best day of my life! The day itself went in the blink of an eye, but I also loved every minute of the planning and lead-up. John and I had an extremely hands-on approach to the wedding. We had a very clear idea of how we wanted the day to play out, and for us, it was as much about the people and the place as it was about us. We spent our honeymoon in Myanmar, which was amazing, and the perfect end to a hectic few months!

Christmas, for me, is all about quality family time. We spend it in Doolin every year, and love every minute of it. The lead-up is always a hectic time, so getting to relax, cosy up in front of the fire and catch up in the peaceful surrounds of the countryside is perfection.

It’s my first Christmas as a ‘Mrs’, and so John and I will divide our time between the two families. They are both in Clare, so logistically it will be fine, although we may eat twice, because both moms put on an incredible spread, so it’s hard to say no to either

John has three nieces — Amelia, Zoe and Ava — and one nephew — Callum

— and they really make Christmas extraspecial every year. We will also have Christmas Mass in Doolin church, the church we got married in, so I am looking forward to reliving all the happy memories of the last few months.