Amy and BOD bring down the curtain on magic year

The smitten pair have just enjoyed their first Christmas as a married couple, six months after their stylish Lough Rynn wedding, and were determined to keep things low-key.

"We've had a pretty mental year so Christmas will be very much spent at home this year," Amy explained.

They also stuck to tradition by having Christmas dinner at her parents' southside home, after popping up to see Brian's family in Clontarf.

The Herald can reveal how the former Clinic actress has just finished shooting her latest movie, Stella Days, in Co Tipperary, and now has some much-needed time off to spend with her hubbie.

Relax

"They're just going to kick back and take it easy. They've both been working so hard over the past few weeks that they really need some proper time off to just relax," said a source.

Amy has spent the past eight weeks making the new flick, which co-stars West Wing star Martin Sheen. He plays the part of parish priest Fr Daniel, who establishes a cinema for his parishioners -- against the wishes of his bishop.

Amy plays a young ESB worker, Elaine, who supports the priest in his endeavours. The movie is due for release next summer. Based on Martin Doorley's book, Stella Days 1957-1967: The Life And Times of A Rural Irish Cinema, it also stars Stephen Rea.

Speaking of her co-star, Amy said: "Martin is just absolutely fantastic. He's just a gorgeous person and everybody is mad about him."

mfinn@herald.ie