On Friday 16 July 2004, my dear friend Paul from UCD days married the beautiful Carmel Bennett in Sallynoggin Church. So what better excuse for a bit of a reunion? Joe Dalton and Elva came, and Michael Ward flew in especially from Idaho with wife Kris. Orlando and I made the trip too and it turned out to be a hell of a day.
The church ceremony was lovely, and Carmel looked radiant as she walked up the aisle to her fate. Paul looked so handsome in his formal outfit, and although he insisted that his calm exterior belied the turmoil within, he looked pretty happy to me!
The reception was at the Marriott at Druid's Glen in Newtownmountkennedy, starting with a champagne reception and a coin toss between Joe and Elva to see who was the designated driver.... they took a cab in the end! The menfolk did seem to find the Guinness even more palatable than the champagne too...
We tried taking a photo of the women's fabulous eyes - me with brown, Elva with deep blue, and Kris with iridescent green... but I'm afraid all you can see is our amazing beauty in this shot!
It was so great to catch up, and the bride and groom were not shy in rambling about during the reception, gossiping and generally getting to spend time with their guests. The speeches were perfect - sentimental, funny and not too long - and I have to say the food and wine were fantastic.
The night was a long one, especially for Michael and Kris who had flown in on a 20-hour marathon that morning and had yet to sleep. This did not stop Kris from becoming the queen of the dancefloor before spiralling finally into a deep sleep on Michael's shoulder at about 2am.
All in all, it was so good to get together for such a fantastic occasion. I will admit to a few happy tears toward the end of the evening, as I saw how happy Paul was. And now I can rest - all my "five boys" nicely married off to women with good prospects. I can do no more for them!
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Monday, June 21, 2004
Summer Solstice 2004
In true British style, Midsummer's Day has started out quite chilly thank you very much. At least one person I know had the central heating on last night, and I certainly had the car heater on full this morning.
But Stonehenge didn't let us down. Despite a heavy dew and clouds obscuring the sun, dawn rose majestically over the ancient rocks. More than 21,000 people assembled to see the sun rise on summer solstice morning.
But Stonehenge didn't let us down. Despite a heavy dew and clouds obscuring the sun, dawn rose majestically over the ancient rocks. More than 21,000 people assembled to see the sun rise on summer solstice morning.
Saturday, June 19, 2004
A Christening and a Reunion
One weekend in June I travelled down to my old home town Maidstone in Kent, for the christening of the third offspring of my old friends Denis and Lizzie. Denis and I were in University College Dublin together, along with the rest of the core group – Joe Dalton, Brian Costello, Paul Curran, Michael Ward, Conor Byrne, and Colin McDonnell, with Manu Pillai joining the gang halfway through.
Denis, Brian and I worked together in Maidstone for several years, and they both got nabbed by local women. Brian still lives there with his wife Alison and their kids Ryan and Kara (in a great big posh house I might add). Denis, on the other hand, convinced Lizzie to move back to the wilds of the Donegal Gaeltacht with him, where they live with their three children, Sam, Eilis and bay Róise.
So Roise was christened in Maidstone on the family’s way to France on holiday. A lovely ceremony was held in the church where Biran and Ali got married about 100 years ago. Brian (god help us all) was godfather to this poor unsuspecting child. Afterwards we all met up in a local church hall to eat food, drink wine and catch up.Turns out there is a rash of ceremonies happening this year.
Paul Curran gets married to the lovely Carmel in a couple of weeks in Wicklow (photos to follow I promise). And Colin McDonnell has been snared by a beautiful Galway woman, we hear, and the nuptials are occurring in October. Looks like 2004 is turning into a great year for a reunion and a few beers!
Like Father.....
Like Sons!!!! Personally I think it is scary how Brian and Denis (above) have passed on their genes to sons Ryan and Sam
I managed to herd the Costello clan to gether for one nice photo but failed to do so for the five wild Ferrys.
If you are reading this and are thinking of your old school or college mates, pick up the phone (or click on your mouse) and get in touch now. You’ll never guess what they’ve been up to…
Denis, Brian and I worked together in Maidstone for several years, and they both got nabbed by local women. Brian still lives there with his wife Alison and their kids Ryan and Kara (in a great big posh house I might add). Denis, on the other hand, convinced Lizzie to move back to the wilds of the Donegal Gaeltacht with him, where they live with their three children, Sam, Eilis and bay Róise.
So Roise was christened in Maidstone on the family’s way to France on holiday. A lovely ceremony was held in the church where Biran and Ali got married about 100 years ago. Brian (god help us all) was godfather to this poor unsuspecting child. Afterwards we all met up in a local church hall to eat food, drink wine and catch up.Turns out there is a rash of ceremonies happening this year.
Paul Curran gets married to the lovely Carmel in a couple of weeks in Wicklow (photos to follow I promise). And Colin McDonnell has been snared by a beautiful Galway woman, we hear, and the nuptials are occurring in October. Looks like 2004 is turning into a great year for a reunion and a few beers!
Like Father.....
Like Sons!!!! Personally I think it is scary how Brian and Denis (above) have passed on their genes to sons Ryan and Sam
I managed to herd the Costello clan to gether for one nice photo but failed to do so for the five wild Ferrys.
If you are reading this and are thinking of your old school or college mates, pick up the phone (or click on your mouse) and get in touch now. You’ll never guess what they’ve been up to…
Thursday, May 27, 2004
A Night at the Opera
This week I had my very first – and then second – trip to the Opera. We booked to see the Barber of Seville followed by the Marriage of Figaro, both in the old Savoy Theatre. The theatre itself is beautiful, and it was the very first public building in the world to be completely lit by electric light more than 100 years ago.
We had great seats and I really enjoyed both performances. The first was done in a modern setting whilst the second was performed in full period costume. It was remarkable how similar both operas are given that they were written by two different composers, and as they were both sung in English (sorry purists!) it meant I had half a chance of figuring out what was going on! A wonderful experience, though, and I will definitely go again.
We had great seats and I really enjoyed both performances. The first was done in a modern setting whilst the second was performed in full period costume. It was remarkable how similar both operas are given that they were written by two different composers, and as they were both sung in English (sorry purists!) it meant I had half a chance of figuring out what was going on! A wonderful experience, though, and I will definitely go again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
