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⚜Since 1998

BOY'S BRIDE: Boyzone heartthrob Ronan Keating has flown into London with his new bride, Irish model Yvonne Connolly. The singer stunned his fans by marrying Yvonne, 24, in a secret ceremony on the Caribbean islandof Nevis.

Published: Friday 08 May 1998
Newspaper: Shropshire Star

irish model

⚜Since 1998

The romance between Ronan Keating and top Irish módel Yvoane\ Connolly became the.talk of the towri when she appeared alongside him at the celebration of his 21st birthday in the Red Box.

⚜Since 1998

Most of the story are parts of Ronan Keating's boook "Life Is A Rollercoaster", his autobiography. It's out in the shops since 2000.

Wivvy and Ronan

Anytime in summer 1990, a little girl with pig-tails in her hair were leaning against the wall outside a vilage shop. Suddenly, she discovered a little cute blond boy in front of a truck, that were waiting in front of the shop. She glanced at him, smiled and couldn't avoid her braces all over her teeth.
His dad came back, telling him what he had to do and a few seconds later the boy was down of he truck and went in the direction of the shop. Much to her delight, he passes her way. The girl smiled again, he definitely seemed attracted for her. "Hi", he said, trying to look laid back as you can when caring two crates of fizzy orange. As he came back, the little girl already talked to that boy's dad. On their way home his dad told him about his girl.
A week later, the boy had ended up in hospital from headaches and nausea and was missing going out in the van again. As his dad arrived home one evening, he annouced that "good lookin' little blondie" was asking for Ronan today. But he didn't go back to that particular shop again, so he'd nearly forgot about that girl.

The years went by and little Ronan grew up, becoming a famous Boyzone star. He used to go to the chocolate bar and the POD nightclub in Dublin now. He loved to meet friends there. One day, he was in the chocolate bar again, a model friend of him introduced him to another model called Yvonne Connolly. They got on well with each other, they had a great laugh.
One evening in summer 1997, Ronan and his friends including Yvonne were driving towards her house, passing the shop where Ronan was used to help his father to deliver drinks. He told his friends about these times and first Yvonne couldn't really believe it. After a while, both remember the day where they first met. It was such a surprise that they already bumped into..
After that happening, Ronan saw Yvonne in a different way. He started to think of her all day long and finally fell in love.

"She was glamorous, beautiful, wonderful to talk to (and had this fantastic laugh) but she was also a very laid back and confident person. She always has a calm air about her and she is the best person to have around in a crisis. Whatever happens Yvonne gets on with life in a quiet way, without any drama." Hey, Ronan calm down again, we know how perfect she is.

One night the gang of them were in the POD again. Ronan tried to sit next to Yvonne and drunk loads of Jack Daniel's and Coke to finally tell her he's in love. Eventually, he was ready and the only sentence he brought himself to say was "There's someone here I'm in love with." and added after a while "It's you". It seemed that hours passed away before Yvonne said what's on her mind. She simply said: "I feel the same way."

"Part of our relationship became so strong, so quickly, is that we were friends first. Before there were any emotional involvement we were first and foremost great mates...Yvonne is the first woman I've ever loved...I'm so glad she came into my life before my mom died. They met and got on well. Mam said she thought Yvonne was a lovely girl, which meant a lot to me... After Mam's death Yvonne was my rock. I don't know how I would have survived if she hadn't been there for me. She couldn't take the pain away, but she went through it with me and supported me all day."

At his 21st birthday (March 1998), their relationship went partly on public though they never really tried to hide it. Some speculations were if Yvonne is his new girlfriend. After it was official, fans came around and congratulated Ronan and Yvonne. The even told her, when they met her in Dublin's city that they are glad Ronan found someone who was there as his Mam died. Anyway, there were some fans who couldn't stand her. They were jealous of her and trying to find faults on her.

"I don't know if it can be explained, but when the right person, your soulmate, comes along you instinctively know it. Sometimes people let pass it by and sometimes they grab on to it. I'm glad I grabbed on to it. It was the best thing I ever did."

He didn't even hesitate that long to propose to her. It was early April 1998 as he popped the question. He even did it in the traditional way, kneeling down in front of his girl. "'Will you marry me?'. She burst out laughing and said, 'Would ya feck off!' My face fell and she suddenly realized that I was serious. 'Yes! Yes! Yes! she laughed."

In late April, the booked a holiday and flew to the tiny Caribbean island of Nevis. On 30 April, they became man and wife. Actually, it wasn't planned but they though it was righ after seeing these landscape. No one else knew about it. Only Gar, Ronan's brother, was there to be the witness to this marriage.

"The moment when Yvonne said yes to taking me as her husband was extraordinary. My heart seemd to leap, and I felt a great surge of love, gratitude and hapiness. There wasn't one niggling doupt that I made the right decision."

Yvonne was born in Naas Co.Kildare on the 8th February 1974. Her parents are Michael and Ann Connolly. She also has a brother James who is about 2 years older than her. Yvonne grew up in the country and had a very sheltered life. She and her Mum shared a big passion for horses. At the age of 12 Yvonne was sent to a boarding school and has said that she didn't really enjoy it. Stating that she lived for the weekends when she would ride and show jump her horses and it was also when she got time to see her 2 best friends Adele and Cecily, who also shared an interest for horses.
Her Mum Ann works in a Antiques shop called Grannies Attic in Naas and her Dad Michael is a business man. Yvonne brother James Connolly is married to Linda who is Jacks God-Mother. James and Linda have two children James aged about 7 and Jilly about 4. James works with his Father. Yvonne has stated that she gets on very well with her parents and her brother.
At the age of 18 Yvonne went to Cardiff University in Wales, she was studying to be a physiotherapist, although Yvonne made new friends in Wales, she missed her family & friends that much that she returned back to Ireland a couple of months into the course. Her best friend Cecily let Yvonne come and work in her beauty Salon and it was there that Yvonne was found by the Emerald Isle Modeling Agency where she worked as a model. Yvonne had long blonde curly hair & when she cut it, it did her image a lot of good, making her a Super Model and Ireland best.

Yvonne Keating

Yvonne Connolly, became Yvonne Keating on 30th April 1998, when she married our Ronan Keating. They had both previously met at a shop in Naas when the were teenagers. Ronan was working with his Dad delivering fizzy drinks and Yvonne was stood outside, Ronan described her as a pretty thing, with pig tails & braces on her teeth dressed in the full horse gear. She smiled at one another & said hello. Ronan's Dad Gerry commented on how nice she was and that was it!
It was then early 1997, when a friend of Ronan's introduced him to Yvonne in the Chocolate bar, Dublin. They became good friends and later realised that they had once met as teenagers and it wasn't long after that, that Ronan realised his love for this women. He told her one evening and discovered that she felt exactly the same! They became a couple in late 1997, but Ronan's mother Marie became ill with breast cancer and this put a strain on their relationship and I have reason to believe that they separated for a while. In this time Yvonne became attached to formula one ace Eddie Irvine, eventually Ronan and Yvonne worked through their problems and were stronger than ever. It was in 2 February 1998 that Ronan would need Yvonne like never before, when sadly his mother passed away!
When March time came, Ronan realised that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this women and proposed to her on bended knee in his bedroom!!! Once the Irish model had realised he was serious, she was more than happy to become his wife. The couple had planned to marry in Florida with their best friends Glin & Elaine Donnolly, but in April following the death of Ronans Nanny and Cousin Ronan need to take a break, so the couple went to the Caribbean isle of Nevis, where they decided to marry early!

TAKES FOR VIDEO
IN NEWCASTLE CO.WICKLOW

Dublin

Yvonne was born in Naas Co.Kildare on the 8th February 1974. Her parents are Michael and Ann Connolly. She also has a brother James who is about 2 years older than her. Yvonne grew up in the country and had a very sheltered life. She and her Mum shared a big passion for horses. At the age of 12 Yvonne was sent to a boarding school and has said that she didn't really enjoy it. Stating that she lived for the weekends when she would ride and show jump her horses and it was also when she got time to see her 2 best friends Adele and Cecily, who also shared an interest for horses.
Her Mum Ann works in a Antiques shop called Grannies Attic in Naas and her Dad Michael is a business man. Yvonne brother James Connolly is married to Linda who is Jacks God-Mother. James and Linda have two children James aged about 7 and Jilly about 4. James works with his Father. Yvonne has stated that she gets on very well with her parents and her brother.
At the age of 18 Yvonne went to Cardiff University in Wales, she was studying to be a physiotherapist, although Yvonne made new friends in Wales, she missed her family & friends that much that she returned back to Ireland a couple of months into the course. Her best friend Cecily let Yvonne come and work in her beauty Salon and it was there that Yvonne was found by the Emerald Isle Modeling Agency where she worked as a model. Yvonne had long blonde curly hair & when she cut it, it did her image a lot of good, making her a Super Model and Ireland best.

Yvonne Keating

Yvonne Connolly, became Yvonne Keating on 30th April 1998, when she married our Ronan Keating. They had both previously met at a shop in Naas when the were teenagers. Ronan was working with his Dad delivering fizzy drinks and Yvonne was stood outside, Ronan described her as a pretty thing, with pig tails & braces on her teeth dressed in the full horse gear. She smiled at one another & said hello. Ronan's Dad Gerry commented on how nice she was and that was it!
It was then early 1997, when a friend of Ronan's introduced him to Yvonne in the Chocolate bar, Dublin. They became good friends and later realised that they had once met as teenagers and it wasn't long after that, that Ronan realised his love for this women. He told her one evening and discovered that she felt exactly the same! They became a couple in late 1997, but Ronan's mother Marie became ill with breast cancer and this put a strain on their relationship and I have reason to believe that they separated for a while. In this time Yvonne became attached to formula one ace Eddie Irvine, eventually Ronan and Yvonne worked through their problems and were stronger than ever. It was in 2 February 1998 that Ronan would need Yvonne like never before, when sadly his mother passed away!
When March time came, Ronan realised that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with this women and proposed to her on bended knee in his bedroom!!! Once the Irish model had realised he was serious, she was more than happy to become his wife. The couple had planned to marry in Florida with their best friends Glin & Elaine Donnolly, but in April following the death of Ronans Nanny and Cousin Ronan need to take a break, so the couple went to the Caribbean isle of Nevis, where they decided to marry early!

⚜Since 1998

Boyzone on Set Filming New Video in Dublin Pub Exterior shots of band members of Boyzone, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy on set with a film crew in a pub on September 16, 1998 in Dublin, Ireland.

The New Model Wife Who Is This Boy's Own
Boyzone singer Ronan Keating has spoken for the first time of his secret whirlwind marriage.
The 21-year-old proposed to girlfriend Yvonne Connolly on the Caribbean island of Nevis last week while on compassionate leave following a string of family deaths. Days later they were married in a beachside service.
"I am the happiest I have ever been," Keating said. "People might say I've broken a million hearts but I've met the right girl and I hope the fans understand that she's made me very happy. Yvonne has helped me through a terrible year. I just wish my mother could have been there."

Doctors told Keating to take a break from the band after his mother Marie died of cancer in February. His grandmother Annie Keating died within weeks followed by cousin Laurinda Clarke, 16, who had meningitis.

Boyzone's latest single All That I Need entered the charts at number one 12 days ago. But Keating pulled out of an appearance on Top Of The Pops last week because of the stress of the bereavements. friends were worried about how he would cope with the grief and the pressure of fronting Britain's most successful boy-band.

"It's been a hard couple of months for me and Yvonne has been there for me," Keating said. "She has made things easier to bear. This made our relationship even stronger. She hasn't taken Mam's place but I get the same feeling of strength from her."

He added: "My brother Gary was best man but no one else knew we were there. My dad was at home in Ireland but is delighted. It was a wedding and honeymoon rolled into one."

Model Yvonne, 24, said: "It has been a very difficult time for Ronan and going away really helped him. Now he is the happiest I have ever seen him."

Keating is already back at work with the band. After the wedding ceremony, the couple flew to New York before joining the rest of the band in Monte Carlo for last night's Music Awards.

By Alun Palmer - Showbusiness reporter for the Daily Mail - May 8th 1998

RONAN'S LOVE STORY
There's no point in doodling 'Mrs Ronan Keating'on your folders any more - Yvonne's beaten you to him .In this exclusive interview,RONAN talks to Top of the Pops about his life with the Woman he calls "the best in the World".

Are you enjoying life being a husband, then?
(grinning from ear to ear) Ah, you don't have to ask that, do you? It's wonderful. It's perfect- everything I ever wanted,or expected,and more. Yvonne is my partner and My Best Friend - I'm happy.

Remind us. How long have you known each other?
We first met when I was 14. I used to help me da driving around, doing deleveries. I met her then, I liked her, but we lost touch. We met up again about two years ago now, became good friends, best mates. When I realised how I felt I had to tell her or say goodbye - So I told her.

What do you remember about your wedding day?
We were on Nevis Isle. I played golf in the morning with my brother Gary, went back, changed, went down to the beach and waited.

It wasn't really spur of the moment, was it?
We'd planned to get married in June. We thought why waityes,we did know before we flew out to the Caribbean. We'd had rings made. We designed them ourselves - they're platinum. Mine has holes in it and Yvonne had diamonds set in the holes, and engagment and Wedding ring in one. It's Beautiful.

Were you angry the tabloids got pictures of your wedding?
No, I set it up. I wanted people to know we had done it, but I wanted to be in control. We needed to get married abroad. Maybe one day we will redo our vows at church in Ireland, but we wanted it to be private and it was. The weddung got a scary amount of coverage though.what was it for? I mean, who the hell am I?

Talking of which, how is the new Mrs Keating dealing with the spotlight?
She went to the Ivor Novello Awards on my behalf and it was hard for her. She's a very down -to -earth person and I think she will settle to it, but it will take a while. Jeez, even I'm not used to the spotlight yet.

Have you been apart much since the Big Day?
No, we make time for eachother. Yvonne's come out on Boyzone trips and she understands I need to work. I have to work. I just wish we had more time for romantic dinners when we're away - nice restaurants,candles,good wine...

Will Yvonne carry on with her modelling career?
I don't know how this will affect Yvonne's career. I'm not saying my career is more inportant cos it's not by any means but it's easier for Yvonne to get time off.

Are your wild days as a party animal over?
Ah, Yvonne likes to party. We were out last night and we're feeling the effects of it this morning! We'll just be going out and having fun,doing the same things we always did. I'll not be settling down with me slippers just yet!

Do you confide in Yvonne now instead of Shane?
Everything moves on whether you want it to or not. I was never one for big deep chats anyway, I didn't go and cry on anyone's shoulder. But yeah, Yvonne's my partner and my best friend. I talk to her before anyone else.

Do you feel your loyalties pulled in two direction?
No,I think we balance things well. But sometimes it's hard. The album launch party was a great night for Yvonne. I was working, we hardly get to spend any time together, we didn't even get the chance to enjoy the Dodgems.

How will you combine work and marriage?
The key to a succseful relashionship is to do everything together. We know That, but it won't change the way Boyzone Works. The lads give each other more space these days.But we're still Boyzone. We will still go to the same places, but now we bring our partners with us. We're not splitting up. We're working towards the Arena tour and the greatest Hits album. We've plenty to do...