Mum would have loved our dress

LOOKING back at pictures of her wedding dress evokes mixed emotions for Máire O’Malley from Galway. She actually had two wedding dresses — the first she borrowed from her now sister-in-law for her marriage to her husband John on November 16, 2018, in the home she grew up in Bealadangan.

Their decision to marry in the house was borne of tragedy — her mother, Ann, was terminally ill at the time, and although she got to see her daughter make her vows, she passed away six days later.

‘My mother did get to celebrate the day with us, which was bittersweet,’ says Máire.

But there was one childhood wish she had yet to fulfil.

‘I had always said I’d wear my mother’s dress if I ever got married,’ says Máire of her late mother, who herself married in 1982. ‘I loved the lace detailing and the beading around the waistline.

‘But because of the nature of my mum’s illness, everything happened very quickly and I didn’t get to make that happen,’ she explains.

But one year later, that wish did indeed come true. ‘I decided to get my mother’s dress altered so I went to the Zipyard in Galway and the ladies were absolutely amazing, so kind, understanding and helpful.

‘They altered the dress and myself and John hired a photographer for the day to take some professional photographs on a beautiful beach in Connemara and we had a blessing by Fr Brennan, who is a family friend.

‘We had a wonderful day and I got my childhood wish. I spent about €150 in alterations but for me, money could not have bought this dream dress. I will cherish it forever.’