The Wedding They’re all Raving About – A Hen’s View

Donal Kearney was left holding the bouquet for a while at the wedding of Breda McGaley and Thomas Greaney at the Church of Saints Stephen and John in Castleisland on Friday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Cool in the shade: Mikey McCarthy enjoying a tub of Ice Cream after auntie Breda’s wedding to Thomas Greaney on Friday. Included are Mikey’s mom, Eileen McGaley, Mary McGaley and Sinéad O’Connell. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Fathers of the bride and groom respectively: Aidan McGaley (left) and Tom Greaney at the wedding of Breda McGaley and Thomas Greaney at the Church of Saints Stephen and John in Castleisland on Friday afternoon. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Cousins and guests at the wedding of Breda McGaley and Thomas Greaney at the Church of Saints Stephen and John in Castleisland on Friday included from left: Olive, Selina and Emily McGaley and Anita McGaley-Spillane. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Portrait of a beautiful day: Thomas Greaney, Knocknagoshel and Breda McGaley, Castleisland pictured after their wedding at the Church of Saints Stephen and John in Castleisland on Friday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Thomas Greaney, Knocknagoshel and Breda McGaley, Castleisland pictured after their wedding at the Church of Saints Stephen and John in Castleisland on Friday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Breda McGaley and her Hens visiting the grave of Joe Dolan during their trip to Mullingar.

There was a Castleisland / Knocknagoshel wedding in these parts at the weekend. Its centre point was the ceremony at the Church of Saints Stephen and John on Friday. However, the lead into the big day involved a hen party which took in a huge streak of the country and a traveling party which had representatives of most of the families around here.

Breda McGaley from Castleisland and Thomas Greaney, Knocknagoshel met at Walsh’s Bar in Knocknagoshel almost 14 years ago now.

“They got engaged on May 23rd last year on a trip to Westport. Thomas proposed on Mulranny Beach in Mayo and we’re celebrating since,” said a well-placed source from the bridal party.

“The highlight was the famous Joe Dolan Tribute Hen Party in Mullingar and Cavan!! – see graveside photo,” the source advised.

“The big day itself was on Friday, 26th June at 1.30 in the Church of Saints Stephen and John, Castleisland and this was followed by reception in the Killarney Oaks Hotel. A fantastic day was had by all. We celebrated again on Saturday with a great night in Browne’s Bar, Castleisland. Rhythm and Sticks – the band that played for the hen party in Cavan – travelled down to get the place rocking! And they certainly did!! And, for the few die hards, they finished off the weekend on Sunday back where it all began 14 years ago – Walsh’s Bar, Knocknagoshel,” the source concluded.

The happy couple escaped for a three-week honeymoon to Boston and Toronto and they will live in Castleisland – and may they do so happily.