Happy couple say I do, I do, I do, I do

Two newlyweds aiming to break the world record for the most married couple in six months took to North Clare last weekend, where they added another four vow renewals to their total tally.
Mark and Denise Duffield-Thomas, from the UK and Australia, were the winners of the Ultimate Job in Ireland, which saw them land the ultimate dream job in May 2010.
It had a top prize of six months of luxury travel around the globe, checking out the best places in the world to get married and to honeymoon in.
Since they started their job, Mark and Denise have been to the US, Kenya, Jordan, Zanzibar, Mauritius, Malta, Spain, London and travelled extensively across Ireland. They’ll conclude their task in November with the last trip to Denise’s home country, Australia.
The couple took on an additional challenge as part of their prize and are currently working towards breaking the Guinness World Record for most married couple.
To achieve this, they need to renew their wedding vows approximately 90 times before they end their job. Contributing to the total tally is the four vow renewals they have made in North Clare.
The couple first went to The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon, then on to the Matchmaking Bar, the Cliffs of Moher and concluded with a renewal in the Doolin cave.
Speaking to The Clare Champion, Denise said, “We thought it would be fun and that we could renew our vows in every country.
“Runaway Bride and Groom registered us with the Guinness World Records and told us that 83 vow renewals was the number to beat.
“My heart sank and I thought that was so out of the realm of possibility but actually this week we have 60 completed so we are well on our way,” she said.
Denise said there are no specific criteria for the renewals other than they have to be performed by someone who is a good member of standing such as a manager of hotel or a celebrity and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a priest.
“As long as the ceremony is performed, it counts. We do it properly each time though and exchange rings and say our vows again and we decided not to do them all at the same location.
“We’re not tired of it. Sometimes the job itself is a lot of work, as it is the most travelling we have ever done but ultimately it’s great because we get to go to ­beautiful locations and it makes you feel happy not to stuck behind a desk so it’s a real treat for us,” she added.
Sydney-born Denise and Mark don’t have any Clare connections but Mark is half Irish, although he was raised in Cheshire, England.
They were both enthralled with North Clare, despite their flying visit last week.
“We had never been to Clare before, it was lovely I think because you have the sea and scenery and we did something unusual and renewed our vows in the Doolin Cave, as well as right on the waterfall at The Falls Hotel and at the Cliffs of Moher.
“The fact that we had four in Clare and that we were only there in 36 hours has really helped us a lot,” Denise concluded.
The couple touched down to The Falls Hotel on Thursday evening and, following an evening of pampering, they traveled around North Clare on Friday, where they first renewed their vows by the cascades on the hotel grounds.
This was closely followed by the vow renewal in the Matchmaker Bar in Lisdoonvarna.
They then enjoyed a romantic Cliffs of Moher cruise, followed by another unique vow renewal at the stalactite in Doolin Cave by matchmaker Willie Daly.
The couple then concluded their evening with one final vow renewal at the ­spectacular Cliffs of Moher.
To catch up with Denise and Mark’s progress, visit www.thehoneymoontesters.com