A lockdown love story has turned into happily ever after for two University of Limerick graduates who first met on campus as students.
It was a day of much laughter and emotion as Aaron and Grace Coughlan – from Kildimo, County Limerick and Forth Worth, Texas, respectively – tied the knot in front of family and friends last October.
Throughout the day, the newlyweds took the opportunity to reflect on their love story – one in which UL is most certainly a main character!
It was during the COVID-19 lockdown, in February 2022, that Aaron and Grace first met. A graduate of the BSc in Applied Physics (2019), Aaron decided to return to education at his alma mater after a period spent working in data analytics. Inspired to pursue a subject area that felt “more meaningful” to him, he undertook the Higher Diploma in Environmental Science at UL. Around the same time, Texas-born Grace was living in New York and working as a barista and freelance dancer. When lockdown hit, and the world ground to a halt, Grace decided to take the leap to enrol on the MA in Contemporary Dance at UL’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
It would prove to be the most wonderful stroke of fate for both Aaron and Grace, who first met after matching on Tinder and went on to plan their first date at an iconic UL location.
“We met at the Stables – pretty standard for UL – and bonded over feeling like we were too old to be there, surrounded by a bunch of undergrads enjoying the acoustic night!” recalled Aaron.
Romance blossomed over coffee dates between classes on campus, and with social functions still very much off the cards due to lockdown, the couple instead enjoyed Aaron’s homecooked meals as well as late-night snack-runs to the local Supervalu.
It’s not surprising that, in this thoroughly modern love story, it was in the aftermath of receiving the COVID booster that Aaron knew he had found “the one”!
“About six hours after the jab, I was overwhelmed with fever, headache, fatigue and sweats all at once, and I felt completely unable to travel back home on my bike. All Grace had was a cold, wet face cloth to bring down my temperature as I lay dying in the bed, and it worked!” recalled Aaron.
“I actually wrote about this in my speech at the wedding, [describing it] as the moment I fell in love with Grace.”
When the time came to get down on one knee and propose to Grace, Aaron knew exactly where he wanted that memorable moment to take place. Setting his plan in motion during one of Grace’s mother Maura’s visits to Ireland, a stressed and nervous Aaron suggested stopping by UL to introduce her to the campus.
“We went to the spot where we finished our first date, and I said something like, ‘this is a very special spot for us … and it’s about to get more special.’ And when Grace turned around, I was down on one knee,” said Aaron.
“I thought he was joking until I saw my mother sobbing into her phone camera and noticed that Aaron’s hand was shaking as he held a small box. After five or six rounds of ‘are you kidding?!’, I eventually said ‘yes’!” added Grace.
Aaron and Grace went on to tie the knot in October 2025, in Hotel Woodstock, Ennis, Co. Clare. Family members from the US and the UK flew in to join them, and despite some minor travel hiccups, Grace’s beloved Uncle Billy was there to walk her down the aisle.
The day went off without a hitch, in large part thanks to the invaluable support of Aaron’s mother, Bernie, who helped Aaron and Grace throughout the planning process.
Standout moments for the couple included the moment they finally got to hold hands at the altar, reciting their personally written vows to each other, and sealing their love with a traditional handfasting ceremony.
After emotional speeches, delivered by Grace’s uncle and Aaron’s father, the newlyweds took to the floor for their first dance, to the iconic Dirty Dancing theme song. They were later joined by their enthusiastic guests, with an 80-person-strong rendition of Rock the Boat proving to be one of the highlights of the night.
Turning to the present day, the couple are now living in Dublin, where Aaron works as a consultant in data analytics and Grace is a freelance contemporary dancer and choreographer. Now husband and wife, they still love an adventure, and spontaneous drives around Ireland are among their favourite ways to spend time together.
So, what’s next for Aaron and Grace?
“No idea! For now, just enjoying all our newfound free time and planning trips abroad. Grace is also determined to meet Graham Norton at some point. Graham, if you read this – please, give us a call!”