For newlyweds Keira and Niki Pollock, a moment that has stuck with them from their big day last July was when they walked through the doors of The Villa Rose and were greeted by their family and friends.
“That’s what I imagine heaven looking like,” said teary-eyed bride Keira Cronolly from Ballybofey.
“You don’t ever get to have all the people you love in one room, aside from your wedding day.
“Just seeing everyone we loved standing there and so happy to see us. It was a really, really special moment.”
On July 25, 2025, she married Niki Pollock, a native of Scotland who grew up in Dungloe.
The pair first met many years ago when he played music with her brother-in-law in the popular band, Mojo Gogo.
Keira was a blushing teenager who fell over heels for the older boy in a band.
“I had a huge crush on Niki but it was not reciprocated,” she laughed.
They did not cross paths again until 2015 when they bumped into each other on a night out. Niki later asked Keira out on a date.
“And the rest is history.”
Newlyweds Keira and Niki Pollock celebrate with some bubbly at the Villa Rose Hotel.
During a trip to Brussels with friends to ring in the New Year in 2023, Niki popped the question.
“To my complete surprise when the clock struck 12 I turned around and he was down on one knee.”
Wedding preparations quickly followed, but choosing a venue was simple.
“Niki and I had both worked in the Villa Rose and we just knew the dedication, quality and attention to detail that goes into any event or function there.
“That was a priority for us and for our guests, that there would be beautiful food, top class service and a stunning venue as well.
“So it ticked all our boxes.”
After their first appointment, they knew this was where they would celebrate their big day.
They worked mostly with wedding coordinator Emma Browne.
“No request was too big or too small, she was always at the other end of the phone or an email if we had any questions.
“Everything we wanted, she made it happen.”
On the day they dealt with Emma, Rosemarie, Mark and Oisín, “they made it all so easy for us”.
Having worked in the hotel before and knowing the huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, Keira was worried she would not be able to switch off on her big day.
“But it was actually really reassuring that I was able to enjoy the day while being confident in knowing everything was being taken care of.”
Their guests were also blown away by the staff’s dedication. Many of them stayed in the hotel and from check in to the day itself everything went seamlessly.
The happy couple cutting the cake.
The newlyweds are total foodies so a standout on the day for them was the meal, which they described as exquisite.
Because they had both worked there, they knew how great the food was, including classics like turkey and ham and beef. But they were keen to have a seafood option as well.
For their first tasting they chose only seafood as their options to try them out.
“We wanted to try all the seafood and pick our favourite. We were really living up to the Pollock surname.”
Music was another huge element of their big day, and a really personal touch was that they knew everyone who played throughout the celebrations.
Their beautiful and sincere ceremony was celebrated by Fr Patsy Arkinson in St Mary’s Church, Sessiaghoneill, where the music was performed by Zara Montgomery.
“It was really special during the ceremony, we couldn’t see our guests because they were to the side or behind us but it was really nice to hear a familiar voice in Zara.”
Keira surprised Niki by walking up the aisle to beautiful piano version of one of his favourite songs, Favourite by Fontaines D.C.
They then walked out of the church as a married couple to another favourite which was It’s Not Living (If It’s Not with You) by the 1975.
Niki and Keira Pollock were married on July 26, last year. Photos: Niall Timony
When guests arrived at the drinks reception at the Villa Rose Hotel, they were treated to more fantastic music by Adam and Jessica Hannigan.
Their first dance was to the sound of Sam Cooke with Nothin’ Can Change This Love.
Ballybofey-based band The Beefsteak Dancers kept the dance floor filled into the wee hours.
Niki himself also took to the stage with his bandmates from Mojo Gogo, which was so special as the popular indie band had just celebrated a 10 year reunion gig a few weeks before the wedding.
The happy couple are so grateful to everyone who helped make their day so special.
From their close family friend Joey O’Leary and Keira’s two cousins Micheál and Kevin Lyons and her nephew Josh Cronolly McGee, who drove them in style and comfort on the day, to the staff at The Villa Rose who made sure everything went off without a hitch.
They also paid a special thanks to photographer Niall Timony, who captured their big day.
