Often times, the morning after a wedding is the nicest part. People can stop by the breakfast table and have a few special words. The bridal party and families are totally relaxed after having a fabulous day. Last week, we were guests at Edward Lonergan and Kate McNamara’s wedding. Although my treatment and surgery were over, I hadn’t an ounce of energy to stay the distance. Yet, it was so lovely to be there to share in the couple’s beautiful day in the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney.

Edward’s mum, Patricia is my first cousin. She is married to Eamonn, dairy farmer and Knockanore cheesemaker. John, Kate’s dad, was delighted with the match; saying in his speech that he was thrilled to learn that Edward was a farmer and an accountant! Edward, in his speech, said his father, Eamonn was always so busy that he might break something in order to have to fix it! All of the gags on a wedding day are aimed at fun and happiness in celebration of the young couple.

Across the summer and autumn months, we got five wedding invitations! There’s still one to happen. They were lovely goals for me to try to attend. Michelle Geaney and Ross Murphy got married in June, and it was a beautiful wedding. We sat out on a balmy evening in Fota House Hotel and enjoyed witnessing the joy of the young couple as they embarked on their new status as husband and wife. Michelle’s mum, Eileen, is Tim’s first cousin and one of my walking partners.

Weddings galore

A few weeks later, we travelled to the historic Killashee Hotel in Kildare for the wedding of Colman O’Shea and Avril Kearney – another beautiful bride on the arm of a handsome man.

Colman is the son of my first cousin, Sheila. So it was a whole different group of relations. The institution of marriage is not just the marrying of two people. Because of the couple, two families (often heretofore strangers) come together and gain a new circle of friends. There is something really special about meeting the cousins all together at the one function.

As Sheila has six siblings, there were plenty of nieces and nephews to be matched up with their parents. I remember saying to Tim, “Wouldn’t it be grand if all the families stood together for a minute so that we could sort out who was who?!”

As Sheila has six siblings, there were plenty of nieces and nephews to be matched up with their parents. I remember saying to Tim, “Wouldn’t it be grand if all the families stood together for a minute so that we could sort out who was who?!”

In Paul’s speech, father of the groom, he had us all laughing from the get-go. Paul was a bit nervous so he decided to have a few beers. After five or six bottles, he still wasn’t getting the desired relaxation from the beverage. He wondered if he was about to be very drunk and blow the speech altogether! His son, PJ, pointed out that he was drinking Heineken Zero!

One missed

Then there was the one we missed, as it was just after my surgery. It was the wedding of Colm Foley and Mary Kane. They were Coláiste Choilm childhood sweethearts. Colm Foley and Colm O’Leary were bosom buddies when they were young fellas. They became tremendous friends over the years and were known as Foley and Leary (for obvious reasons). Leary was best man for Foley and the wedding was in Quissac in the south of France. I was truly gutted to miss it.

I asked my son Philip to send me some pictures. I guessed Colm wouldn’t have time. No pictures came. I asked Philip for all the details when he returned. He gave a glowing account of all the proceedings, including Mary’s dress. “It was beautiful Mom. Mary looked amazing in a traditional flowing gown.”

“Any lace on it Philip?” I asked.

“No lace Mom, just plain.”

A few weeks later, I met another one of the lads’ mothers in the local shop.

“Weren’t the boys gorgeous?” she gushed with pride. I told her that I hadn’t any photographs. She sent her pictures to me. The boys were handsome, all seven of them pictured against the mountains and French countryside. Then there was a full length picture of Mary and Foley.

Mary was resplendent in a magnificent wedding gown with the whole bodice of the dress adorned in lace and a long flowing skirt.

No lace indeed! What are men like? Anything to keep the mother happy!

There’s been four wonderful weddings, and I wish them all heartiest congratulations and long life and happiness.