Daithi O Se yesterday traded the single life for wedded bliss as he married his American Rose, Rita Talty.
"That's all she's getting," joked Mr O Se of his new wife as they kissed briefly at the top of the church steps after exchanging vows. "I've got the licence now."
Family, friends and local well-wishers crammed into St Mary's Church in Dingle, Co Kerry, to watch local hero Mr O Se marry his bride.
The couple met at the Rose of Tralee in 2008 when he was a judge and she was an entrant in the pageant representing New Jersey.
They returned to the Carlton Hotel in Tralee for their wedding reception, a venue close to the hearts of the couple as it was here they first met.
On his arrival at the church at 1.30pm, Mr O Se was greeted by loud cheers before a stampede of women rushed to hug him.
"There's no pulling out now, I suppose," joked Mr O Se, who had arrived on foot with his brother and best man, Caoimhin, and six groomsmen.
The group didn't have far to walk from Foxy John's bar just around the corner on Main Street where they had a pre-wedding drink.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get married," he said.
The bride didn't keep anyone waiting -- she arrived on the nose of 2pm with her dad Mike, in a white Chrysler, just after her matron of honour and six bridesmaids, who wore black gowns.
She was greeted by equally loud cheers while her father wiped tears from his face.
The bride was elegant and beautiful in a cream vintage gown with lace and crystal detail and a fascinator in her hair instead of the traditional veil.
It was a day tinged with sadness for the O Se family. As the ceremony began, the groom lit a candle in memory of his sister Deirdre who passed away 10 years ago. She was also remembered during the Mass by Fr Declan O'Connor, parish priest of Listowel.
Mr O Se's other sister, Marianne Butler, was bridesmaid as well as Ms Talty's sisters, Cyndi and Kristen.
Among the guests at the wedding were Mr O Se's co-presenter of the axed 'Daily Show', Claire Byrne and her partner, Gerry Scollan.
Ms Byrne revealed she had bought her outfit in Killarney in Kerry's Boutique just a couple of weeks before the wedding.
Kathryn Thomas shopped for her wedding outfit in the Design Centre in Powerscourt in Dublin. 'The Voice of Ireland' host was accompanied by her partner, Enda Waters.
Other well-known faces included RTE's John Creedon and his partner Mairead Heffernan, and 'Afternoon Show' presenter Maura Derrane with her husband, Waterford Fine Gael TD John Deasy.
As for wedding nerves, there was no sign of them from bride or groom. Mr O Se said it felt a lot like the Rose of Tralee, which he will host again in August.
Asked if she was glad to get rid of him, his mother Caitlin replied: "Yes, but he'll still be coming home. He's a nice boy and I'm glad to see him getting married."
Read more: http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/celebrity-news-gossip/hearts-break-all-over-ireland-as-daithi-o-se-marries-his-american-rose-rita-3167189.html#ixzz20si7iyDR
