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Shane to tie the knot (or is it a bow?) at Christmas

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

His seven-bedroom mansion on the outskirts of Sligo Town will be in move-in condition very soon. And, most important, he’ll marry his childhood sweetheart, Gillian Walsh, in Ballintubber Abbey on Dec. 28. Talk about a good month.
Shane, 24, is beside himself with excitement when it comes to his impending nuptials.
“I just can’t wait,” he told the Sunday World.
“It is going to be a fairytale wedding,” he confided. “It’s a Christmas-y style wedding. Ashford Castle at Christmas time. Hopefully there [won’t be] massive amounts of rain.”
Shane and Gillian grew up together in Sligo, and performed together in school pageants. After 10 years as pals, they started dating.
“It was a year before the band [started],” said the singer. “And we are still together six years later.”
The couple dated under the radar for a few years, while Gillian pursued business studies at the Sligo Institute of Technology.
“She wanted to have a normal college life,” said Shane. “She didn’t want to be treated any different to anyone else.”
Well, all this solidarity with the hoi polloi comes to an end this month, when Gil walks down the aisle at Ballintubber Abbey — literally following in the footsteps of Pierce Brosnan and Keely Shay-Smith, who also tied the knot in the beautiful old church. Come to think of it, Pierce and Keely held their reception at Ashord Castle. Hmmm . . . wonder if there’s a celebrity package deal.
And just in case you were saving up your allowance to buy the “Shane” issue of “Hello!” or OK!” — go ahead and spend it on something else. The newest Westlife couple have turned down all “cash for snaps” offers.
“We will come out and pose for everyone straight after we get married,” said Shane. “Then hopefully we’ll be left alone to enjoy our day with our families and friends.” Imagine that.

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