A Galway couple got more than they bargained for on their wedding day after a chance encounter with Tommy Tiernan turned into a moment they’ll never forget.
The now-viral clip, shared by wedding videographer Karl Mac, shows the bridal party posing for photos in the heart of Galway city when they suddenly spot a familiar face nearby.
As it turns out, it was none other than Tiernan, who happened to be passing by while out and about.
The bride and groom, surrounded by their bridesmaids and groomsmen outside Tigh Neachtain, quickly seized the moment, calling out to the comedian and urging him to join in.
Onlookers could be heard cheering, “Come on, Tommy,” as he made his way over to the group.
Being a good sport, Tiernan happily stepped into the frame and posed for a quick photo, much to the delight of the entire wedding party.
Sharing the wholesome moment online, Karl Mac captioned the clip: “You never know who you might bump into at a wedding.”
True to form, the comedian didn’t hang around for long.
As quickly as he arrived, he slipped away again, leaving the newlyweds with a brilliant story — though they didn’t even get the chance to invite him back for the reception.
Tiernan, who lives in Barna with his wife Yvonne, has long been a familiar face around Galway, and as many celebrities know, blending into the background isn’t always easy — especially when you’re as recognisable as one of Ireland’s best-loved comedians.
He’s not the only famous face to have been spotted in the city recently, either. Just days earlier, locals were doing double takes when Chris O'Dowd popped into The Front Door Pub for a few quiet pints.
The Roscommon native, known for roles in Bridesmaids, appeared in great spirits as he posed for a snap with a member of staff.
Sharing the moment online, the pub leaned into one of his most famous roles, writing: “Boy, were we over the Moon(e) to welcome actor & comedian @chrisodowd last night! Cheers Chris for stopping by for a few scoops.”
Tommy Tiernan is an Irish comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and chat show host who has been performing stand-up for nearly three decades.
Over that time, he has toured extensively both in Ireland and internationally, with appearances on programmes including The Late Show with David Letterman and a one-hour special for Comedy Central.
Alongside his stand-up work, Tiernan has built a steady acting career, appearing as ‘Da Gerry’ in Derry Girls and in the television adaptation of Conversations with Friends.
His film and theatre credits include Wolfwalkers, Dark Lies the Island and stage productions with Druid, including Sive.
He also co-hosts the podcast Tommy, Hector & Laurita, which has attracted a large international audience, and currently presents The Tommy Tiernan Show on RTÉ One.
More recently, he completed the ‘Between Dog and Wolf’ storytelling tour with Martin Shaw and is set to appear in the upcoming stage production The House Must Win, written by Mick Flannery, which is due to premiere in April 2026.
Between surprise celebrity sightings and unforgettable wedding moments, it’s been a lively few days in Galway — and for one lucky couple, their big day just got an extra touch of star power.
