With a wedding just around the corner, a five-year-old daughter ready to steal the show, and a mystery dress held up in customs, life is anything but quiet for former Miss Ireland, Aoife Rose Walsh, ahead of her big day.

It’s been a whirlwind few months for Aoife, but the former Miss Ireland wouldn’t have it any other way.

Speaking candidly in a recent interview, the Tipperary-based secondary school teacher and beauty queen opened up about her upcoming nuptials, her adorable daughter’s very important role in the ceremony, and one very unfortunate wardrobe situation involving customs officials and a suspicious package.

A Wedding in the South of France

The big day is now just two and a half months away, and Aoife could not be more excited. Choosing the romantic backdrop of the South of France for their ceremony, the couple wanted something truly different from the traditional Irish wedding.

‘We just wanted something really different,’ Aoife explained. ‘I’ve been on holiday there a couple of times in the past and really loved it. France is such a romantic part of the world. I feel like I’m more of a French vibe than, you know, a Spanish or Portuguese one. I just love the vibe of a château.’

And the dress? Well, that’s a closely guarded secret. Purchased in London a couple of months ago, it is set to arrive soon, and thankfully, unlike another recent outfit, it has not yet been detained by customs.

The Customs Catastrophe

In what can only be described as an ‘only in Ireland’ moment, an outfit Aoife had ordered for the interview was intercepted by customs officials who apparently deemed it a suspicious package, despite it being, as she put it, ‘just a top, filled in sequins.’

‘They thought it was a suspicious package,’ she laughed. ‘It’ll arrive at some stage next week when I won’t need it.’ Ever resourceful, the former beauty queen fell back on a trusty wardrobe staple from home. ‘This is literally in my wardrobe at home, and look, it gets another day out.’

A Five-Year-Old Stealing the Show

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated wedding guest is Aoife’s daughter, who will be turning five this summer and starting school in September. The little one has not one but two very important jobs on the big day: flower girl and ring bearer.

‘She is going to be busy,’ Aoife laughed. ‘She’s a real hustler.’

And it seems the upcoming wedding has also become something of a bargaining chip at bedtime. ‘Anytime I need to get her to do something, or if I want her to go to bed early, she says, Well, I’m not going to throw the flowers if you make me.’

Back in the Classroom

Away from wedding planning, Aoife has also experienced a significant professional change in recent years. Three years ago, she made the decision to return to full-time teaching, heading back to the classroom as a secondary school geography teacher in Tipperary, and she has never looked back.

‘It just felt like the right time,’ she said. ‘There was a lot of change happening. And you know what, I absolutely love it. When you have a daughter, it’s nice to have that routine, and you know, she goes to school, and I go to school. It’s all good.’

With a château wedding on the horizon, a daughter ready to multitask her way down the aisle, and a geography class waiting for her back in Tipperary, it’s safe to say life is full and fabulous for Aoife Rose Walsh, and it sounds like she wouldn’t want it any other way.