Not a dry eye at mock wedding of the year
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Wednesday March 17 2010
THERE wasn't a dry eye in the house at Stabannon's wedding of the year! But the tears weren't shed for blushing bride Tara Lynch and her beau Liam Butterly who went their separate ways as soon as the guests had left, but for their matchmakers, Aidan Shevlin and his wife Sinead.
Family, friends and neighbours turned out in full force for the 'mock wedding' which was organised by Aidan and Sinead to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society.
Aidan, a talented footballer, has twice battled cancer and the idea of raising money for the Irish Cancer Society first came up when he was still being treated in hospital.
'It's amazing to think that this all came from that small idea which we talked about when he was in hospital for three months and we said that whenever he was better we'd raise a few pounds for the Irish Cancer Society,' says Sinead.
'Everyone was saying that they were so proud of us, but really we were so proud of them for turning out to support us,' says Aidan.
The couple's friends and families along Aidan's fellow club members from Stabannon GFC gave their all to the mock wedding.
As Stabannon player Liam Butterly and his ladies counterpart Tara Lynch prepared to walk up the aisle in the local community centre, all hell seemed about to break loose.
The 'priest', Nicholas Butterly was found in a compromising situation before the ceremony, and Tara's 'mother', Marian Kearney threatened to call the whole thing off and demanded they sign 'prenups' after catching sight of the other 'mother-in-law' Mary Kingsmith.
But eventually, the couple exchanged vows and the wedding party moved to The Fairways Hotel for the reception, with traditional music by 'Sean Nós' followed by dancing to music by Vertigo, who donated their services free of charge, and then a disco.
Around 300 guests attended the wedding, all wearing their 'glad rags' according to Aidan, and many more bought tickets.
An auction for three rugby jerseys signed by the Ireland, Leinster and Munster squads, as well as a signed jersey that had been worn by Robbie Keane, raised € 3,000.
Aidan and Sinead are still busy counting the money and with a DVD of the wedding planned there is still time to donate to the Irish Cancer Society.
And it wasn't just the society which benefited from the event. 'Everyone enjoyed it and said it was a real tonic which brought the community together,' says Aidan.
- Margaret RODDY
