Bride's helicopter dash from Derry to Louth to see mum in hospital on her wedding day

The wedding day of local woman Caoimhe Malone and Marcin Pierzchalski saw the bride and groom make an extraordinary helicopter journey on their big day from Derry to Louth to ensure a special moment with Caoimhe’s mother Deirdre who was in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

The resolve of the groom and the family of his bride-to-be, that the bride's mother, who was in hospital, would see her daughter on the most important day of her life, resulted in a helicopter dash from Limavady in Co Derry to the grounds of Drogheda United Football Club.

Caoimhe and Marcin were married recently in Drenagh House in Limavady, but the day before the wedding, Caoimhe's mother Deirdre underwent a serious operation at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

Unable to travel, it seemed she would miss seeing her daughter on the most important day of her life.

Determined to include Deirdre in the big day, Marcin arranged for a helicopter to fly himself, Caoimhe, and her father Paddy Malone, from Limavady to Drogheda on the morning of the wedding.

Picutred above: Family friend Barry Gardiner with Caoimhe Malone and her father Paddy after making the helicopter journey from Limavaddy to Drogheda

Paddy coordinated with Drogheda United Football Club, where club Chairperson, Joanna Byrne was very accommodating in allowing the helicopter to land on United Park’s grounds.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of all involved, Deirdre was able to see Caoimhe in her wedding dress and share a heartfelt visit with her daughter.

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Later, Deirdre watched the full wedding ceremony as her daughter married Marcin via livestream from her hospital bed.

What began as a challenge turned into an unforgettable story of family, love, and community support.

Caoimhe’s grandfather Jim Malone, a Dundalk FC director for 40 years had assisted Drogheda in entering the League of Ireland. The Malone Cup is played between the two cubs every year.