The Irish are coming… well, in truth, they’ve always been there but the new Aer Lingus direct route from Dublin to Neon City means we’ll all be livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas now.
Now if you can’t channel your inner Elvis in Vegas…
And The King is everywhere with impersonators milling around the airport and all around the Strip.
Not to mention at the Graceland Wedding Chapel where Elvis himself will invite you on to say Love Me Tender and it’s Now or Never.
As two of the lads in our party did just that with a stunt-up service conducted by chapel owner Brendan Paul.
Brendan became the first fully licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC. to conduct Elvis-themed ceremonies two years ago.
Lads and Lassies Vegas
As with all the best things in life, there is a Scottish-Irish link to the Graceland Wedding Chapel.
Through Irish-American Brendan and further back to the founder of the chapel.
Scottish immigrants called McKee put their stamp on what would become the jewel of Nevada with one of the first chapels in 1939.
And they took a little bit from home by renaming it the Gretna Green Wedding Chapel after the Scottish town.
Renowned for its runaway brides and grooms.
Whether that was what drew Elvis to its door has been lost to the mists of time.
But the King did visit in 1967 as he planned his coming nuptials with Priscilla.
Bon shook up
Alas, Elvis found the chapel too small for his 250-person guest list but the link had been forged.
And ten years later the chapel set the trend for the funnest weddings ever.
By performing the world’s first Elvis-themed service to commemorate the King’s life.
Now, we know the rest and how Jon Bon Jovi eloped to Vegas and married Dorothea Hurley at Graceland Wedding Chapel a dozen years later.
And then held a concert behind the chapel with 75 couples who renewed their vows along with him two years later.
Now, whatever you get up to, and I still don’t know if I wed Cami here from Utah after meeting on the dance floor at Harrah’s off the Strip.
Bet on Aer Lingus
Remember what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
Apart, of course, from Ireland’s national airline carrier, Aer Lingus which takes you out there with pre-clearance and back to Dublin.
Because it’s all about livin’ devil me Aer in Las Vegas.
Aer Lingus will fly direct to Las Vegas from October 25, three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Flights are priced from €499 return including taxes and charges, and are now on sale.