THERE must be something about an early morning wedding – when Jim and Maureen Sweeney tied the knot at 7.30am, it was 65 years ago!
Maureen recalls the memory of her wedding day, the wedding Mass took place at 7:30am in St Eunan’s Cathedral in March 1951.
It was different back then, says Maureen.
The happy couple went to Maureen’s home house for the wedding breakfast which included bacon, egg, sausage, tea, bread and butter.
She also remembers her aunt Maggie arriving with 2 chickens & an ox’s tongue.
In order for her home house to hold the wedding party two bedrooms upstairs had to be emptied to serve the food and the neighbours provided extra tables and chairs to accommodate the wedding guests.
Jim’s father organised a wedding car from Hugh McGovern to take them both to the train station in town.
The train then took them to Strabane then they changed over to another train to go to County Down where they then changed again over to the Dublin train.
A photographer was on O’Connell Street and took the pic of them on their honeymoon.
They paid him half a crown and he posted it back to them.
When they returned to start their married life Jim was earning three pounds a week, they paid eight shellings & six pence for the rent a week, a bag of coal was seven shellings and six pence for a 100weight of coal.
They lived in Scotland and England throughout the years and they returned to Letterkenny in 1965.
Jim was a well known taxi driver for many years and parked at the Market Square.
They have three of a family – May, Bernard & Robbie, 5 grand children & 7 great grandchildren.
They now reside in Leck Letterkenny overlooking their beloved home town and hope to celebrate many more wedding anniversaries.
Maureen also celebrates her 87th birthday tomorrow – so happy birthday Maureen!
- Got a family story to tell? Or any old pix you want to share? Send them to info@donegaldaily.com
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