It’s Ballynahinch to Moscow for Debbie

To Children With Love charity goddess Debbie Deegan — who has done so much for children in Russia for 20 years — had her unique child-with-love moment at Ballynahinch Castle, Galway, on Thursday. Her beautiful daughter Sophie got hitched in front of 130 guests.

“Sophie married Tom Aspell, her Connemara man,” she told me last Thursday, adding that they met and fell in love in Clifden at an event for Debbie’s charity four years ago.

“Ballynahinch Castle was their first date and so the wedding is here today. Sophie is the most beautiful special girl, inside and out. We were blessed with her. She’s the calmest bride I’ve ever seen.”

The mother of the bride might have a good reason not to be so calm, though. While Sophie and Tom jet off on their honeymoon, Debs flies this morning to Russia. Tonight in Moscow, she will be awarded the highest accolade a westerner can receive in Russia, The Order of Friendship. “Putin sends a car to the airport to get me at 4am and take me to his private hotel,” Debs told me. “Four westerners are getting it, three business people from Spain, Italy, Cuba, and me! I’m thrilled and honoured. It’s a huge deal there to get it.”

On the subject of celebrations, restaurateur Ronan Ryan recently celebrated his birthday in the Algarve with his lovely wife Pamela Flood and the kids. Deirdre Kelly also joined them at the villa.

Still on the subject of celebrating, Rosanna Davison and husband Wes were in Rasam in Glasthule last Friday with her papa Chris de Burgh and mother Diane. The occasion? The belated birthday celebrations for Chris’s 70th.