Main pic: Jo McAteer (centre) with her \u2018Wedding Celebrant of the Year\u2019 award.<\/p>\n
A Donegal woman has been crowned the national \u2018Wedding Celebrant of the Year\u2019 this week.<\/p>\n
Jo McAteer, of Love Jo Weddings, is a native of Fanad but has been living in Gorey, Co. Wexford, for nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n
She won the prestigious accolade at the 2026 WeddingsOnline Awards which were held at Mount Wolseley Hotel, where Ireland\u2019s finest wedding professionals gathered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI began my career as a funeral celebrant before discovering a love for weddings nearly a decade ago,\u201d Jo told Donegal Daily.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis award means the world. It\u2019s proof that the work, rebranding, and connecting with couples has paid off. I\u2019m grateful to do what I love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coming from a family of undertakers, Jo is the daughter of Sean and Katherine McAteer, and her brother is Colin McAteer of Green Coffins Ireland.<\/p>\n
She began her education in Scoil Mhuire Caiseal in Fanad\u2019s Gaeltacht, before going on to secondary to the Loretto convent in Milford.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She went on to train as an Interfaith minister and is registered to conduct legal marriage ceremonies in the Republic of Ireland. Jo also conducts baby naming and vow renewal ceremonies.<\/p>\n