In March of 1971 Paddy Fitzpatrick had just bought what was then Killiney Castle. As enthuasiastic as the then 39 year old was about his first hotel that he could not wait to get on with his rennovation plans to turn it into the four star Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel. However, Paddy had committed to fulfilling the weddings that was booked by the previous owners one of these wedding’s was that of Mary McHugh.

“I had my wedding reception in Killiney Castle on the 29th of March 1971 when it was getting pulled to bits to become Fitzpatrick Castle. I did not know this until my mother went up to see about putting the name cards on the table’s (they had forgot to tell us) they said we could have it in the Tara Towers Hotel but this was no good as we had people coming from England and Donegal. It was agreed we could have it in the Castle I had not seen how bad it was until the day of my wedding, we had one room this had a stage, bar and this is where we had our meal it was all a bit mish mash. The food had to be brought from Tara Towers as there was no kitchen ( I did not know this at the time). When it was time for me to get dressed to go on my honeymoon the manager said I could get dressed in his office (very nice man) he opened the door and all I could see was the top half of men in the ground, there was no floor they had put down planks of wood for me to walk on, they all helped me across to the office and wished me luck. The Managers office was a little bigger than a cupboard all I and my bridesmaids could do was laugh. I still have the bill for this great day and it was a great day regardless of the mishmash. So I must be the only bride to have her wedding reception in a hotel that was not yet built.”