Get me to the church this time
BATTLING EVER-CHANGING GOALPOSTS DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS, NORA AND JOHN FINALLY MANAGED TO GET MARRIED JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS
PLANNING a wedding over the past 11 months has been akin to a military operation, with the goalposts ever changing due to the evolving pandemic restrictions. However, it was a case of ‘mission accomplished’ for Boherbue woman Nora Murphy and her Co. Leitrim husband John Gilhooley, who tied the knot at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, on December 22nd.
With couples throughout the world having had their plans thrown into disarray during the past year, The Corkman chatted to Nora and John to find out how they coped with the challenges of rescheduling and the disappointment of having to cancel their original plans. Suffice to say, both Nora and John took the changes in their stride and were delighted to get to say ‘I do’ on Christmas week.
“Our original plan of 300 guests would have been fantastic but we have to say we truly enjoyed our small, intimate wedding and could only wish to do it all again,” Nora said.
“With regards to the preparations for the wedding, our original date was November 21st and we were lucky to have had most elements of the wedding organised before the pandemic fully hit last February.
“We had booked most of our wedding suppliers; the venue, band, photographer and videographer, we had bought all the dresses and this meant it was just a matter of waiting to see how everything would unfold in the lead up to the wedding,” Nora explained. “Not knowing if the situation would improve or deteriorate was difficult, it was a rollercoaster of a build- up, exciting but with some confusion due to the uncertainty of the situation,” John said.
As the wedding date drew near, the couple said that they were wondering if they should postpone due to the unexpected lockdown changes. “We were so lucky to be able to rearrange for December 22nd,” Nora said, adding that the day exceeded all of their expectations.
“With restrictions recommending only 25 guests, we just had family and close friends. As John is from Co. Leitrim, we were delighted that inter-county travel was allowed over the Christmas period so that his family could be with us on the big day,” she said.
Needless to say, the Murphy home in Lisrobin was a hive of activity on the morning of the 22nd. “Getting ready at my house was so relaxed and fun with make-up artist Orla O’Connor and hairdresser Fiona O’Keeffe on hand to do our make up and hair,” Nora said.
Boherbue PP Fr. Jim Kennelly celebrated the nuptial Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney, and the couple held their reception at the Great Southern Hotel.
“The day was made so special by the family and friends we were surrounded by. It gave great consolation also that everyone could enjoy their day in a safe environment. The staff at the hotel were second to none and we were put at such ease by our photographer Black Diamond and videographer Brendan Reidy.”
In the lead up to the nuptials all the Leitrim guests were really looking forward to the wedding weekend in Killarney but, unfortunately, all plans subsequently changed. John’s parents, Ollie and Geraldine Gilhooley, along with his sister and her husband and the best man travelled from Leitrim to be with the couple. “It was disappointing initially and we were thinking of postponing but as time went on and the uncertainty of time-lines became more apparent, we decided to go with the numbers that would be allowed at the time. At least now there is a vaccine so hopefully this might give some reassurance to couples planning their wedding at the moment,” John said.
As they were unable to honeymoon abroad, John and Nora booked a ‘mini-moon’ in Castlemartyr but, unfortunately once more, as restrictions became tighter that arrangement also fell by the wayside. However, they are making plans to travel when it allowed and safe to do so.
The couple met in Dublin when they were both working in the capital in 2013 but now live in Killarney. “It has been a hectic year as we also bought a house in Killarney in November so Kerry is home for the foreseeable,” Nora said with a smile.