Rory McIlroy will finally wed his American fiancée Erica Stoll tomorrow, and famous faces from their star-studded guest list are already descending upon Co. Mayo.
The happy couple will tie the knot at the lavish Ashford Castle, which is based just outside the village of Cong, and the estate is expected to go into full security lock-down today in preparation for the wedding ceremony tomorrow.
According to the Herald, special security wristbands have been issued to allow access to the castle’s grounds from today until Monday morning, and most guests are expected to arrive by air – thanks to the castle’s own heli-pad.
A special no fly zone has been declared around the rest of the estate, and a marquee was erected outside the castle yesterday.
Lavish: Rory and Erica will wed at Ashford Castle – which has it’s very own heli-pad | ASHFORDCASTLE.COM
The four day wedding party is understood to have cost around €500,000, as Ashford Castle and virtually all accommodation in Cong has been block booked for the occasion.
The majority of the wedding ceremonies will reportedly happen inside the hotel, and the Irish golfer and his new bride will stay in the Presidential suite, which was once occupied by US President Ronald Reagan in 1984.
Private security officials have been stationed at all entrances to the 350-acre estate, and security patrols are also in place to deal with photographers.
An army of street cleaners, caterers and wedding planners have been hard at work all week long to ensure everything is in place for the star-studded wedding.
According to locals, the wedding party arrived at Cong village on Wednesday, and Rory has been spotted driving around in a Porsche and enjoying some Clay Pigeon shooting with friends.
I Do: Rory will finally marry Erica on Saturday | VIPIRELAND.COM
Fleets of jeeps and limousines, all with blacked-out security glass, have been spotted arriving at Ashford Castle, as Rory is expected to welcome plenty of famous friends at his lavish nuptials.
Stevie Wonder was scheduled to fly into Ireland last night to perform at the wedding, and Coldplay have also been rumoured to perform at the bash.
Expected on the guestlist is Rory’s good pal Niall Horan, fellow Northern Irish man Jamie Dornan, British singer Ed Sheeran, UFC star Conor McGregor, and businessman JP McManus.
Meanwhile, sports stars expected to attend include golfers Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and other members of the Ryder Cup team.
A-list pals: Rory’s wedding guest list is VERY star-studded | VIPIRELAND.COM
Gerry Collins, founder of ‘The Quiet Man Museum’ and film location walking tours, said, “I think this is going to give Cong and the whole area an enormous boost,” he said.
“There is already a great atmosphere around the village and even the tourists, who are here for the local beauty and ‘The Quiet Man’ sites, are asking about the big wedding.”
“Of course Pierce Brosnan got married here in Cong as well so this is a special place for celebrity weddings. Hopefully, Rory McIlroy’s decision to get married in Ashford Castle will persuade a few more A-listers to walk down the aisle here,” he added.
