Mullinahone.net

On Saturday last November 22nd, St. Michael's Church , Mullinahone was bedecked with flowers in a most splendid display. The occasion was the marraige of Deirdre Sheehan of Killaghy. Deirdre is the youngest child and only daughter of Nora and Ricky Sheehan of Killaghy. Her groom in the words of an old song came from "Way up north". He was Ciaran Mullan from Crookstown in County Tryone.

Ciaran is the oldest son of Geraldine and Joe Mullan. The wedding ceremony was performed with the usual aplomb by Fr. John McGrath P.P, Mullinahone. Bridesmaid was Ann Marie Madden a college friend of Deirdre's since both trained as primary teachers in Glasgow. Best man was Joseph Mullan the grooms brother. The wedding group was cpompleted by a loverly flower girl Amy Mullan the grooms niece. Deirdre was given away in the time honoured way by her father Ricky Sheehan. The readers at the Mass were Declan Mullan, brother of the groom and Elizabeth O Gorman, friend of the bride.

Prayers of the faithful were recited by Josephine Nye, friend of the bride and groom. Josephine also acted as Eucharistic Minister later in the ceremony. The oters who recited prayers were Orla Mullan, sister of the groom, Stephan Mullan, brother of the groom, Niall Sheehan, cousin of the bride and Brendan Sheehan , brother of the bride. The offertory gifts were represented by the mothers of the bride and groom. As stated, Fr. John McGrath was the celebrant at Mass while most suitable music and elevating singing was provided by Alison Sweeney. Mass was served by another Alison, local girl Alison Brett.

After the register was signed, the bride was presented not with one copy of a Marriage Certificate, but with six. Each copy belonged to a direct female ancestor of the brides going back almost two hundred years and involving six generations of women. The certificates belonged to Deirdere Sheehan (m 2008), Nora Murphy (mother m 1972), Johanna Moloney (grandmother m 1944), Kate Scott (great grandmother m 1915), Mary Pollard (great great grandmother m 1867) and Hanora Hall (great, great, great grandmother m 1835).

Present at the wedding ceremony was Johanna Moloney now Sheehan who is in her 90th year. She of course is the brides grandmother. As Hanora Hall was married in 1835, she must have been born more than two hundred years ago. It was quite an unbroken line. A reception for families and friends of the bride and groom was held later in Waterford Castle. The newlyweds are spending their honeymoon in Florida where tempetatures are a little higher at the moment than in Mullinahone. On their return, the newly weds will reside in Cois na hAghainn in Mullinahone. We wish both Ciaran and Deirdre many happy years together and we take this opportunity to welcome Ciaran from the land of the red hand to the little village.

In passing one should state that as the wedding party appraoched and left Waterford Castle, they saw the flags of both Tyrone and Tipperary flying side by side. Maybe it was an omen for the GAA future. Deirdre won't have any difficulty in supporting Tyrone whatever about her mother.