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Andrew (32), a print production manager from Malahide, Co Dublin, met Joanna (26), a medical student from Poland, in 2011, when she came to Dublin to improve her English.
In October 2012, their daughter Sophie was born, and the following September, Joanna returned to Poland to complete her studies at Bialystok University.
For two years, the couple travelled between Ireland and Poland every fortnight with their daughter. After a two- and-half-hour flight and a three-hour bus journey, Andrew would leave Sophie with Joanna and return the following day to Dublin to be in work on Monday. Joanna made the journey to Dublin during breaks from lectures and hospital clinics.
Andrew would return to return to Poland after two weeks to collect Sophie and bring her back to their home in Dublin.
On May 2nd, 2014, he proposed to Joanna in Kilkenny. Des Byrne of Kilkenny Design Yard designed and made the platinum engagement ring using a diamond from Andrew’s mother’s engagement ring. It symbolised the “something old, something new” on their wedding day.
The wedding invitations were designed and printed at Andrew’s family print business, Kilmartin Printers.
On May 2nd, 2015, Andrew and Joanna were married in Maryi Panny Cathedral, in Biaylstok, with a reception afterwards at the Hotel Dworek Tryumf.
The chief bridesmaid was Emilia Kuczynska and Eliza Olechno was bridesmaid.
In top-hats and tails, Kevin Rahill was the best man and the groomsman was Alan Beirne. Sophie Beirne and Jas Kiwala were the ring-bearers.
The newlyweds' first dance was to Candy by Paolo Nutini. Since their wedding, Joanna has passed her final exams and the family is living together in Dublin, where they plan to stay.
Photographs: Magda Turowska, Bialystok
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