An emotional and magical day...
WHEN I was married first, I was 27 years old. I’m 54 now – exactly double that age. I thought the magical days were in the past but I was wrong.
I never expected another big day – or a great day – like it. I’ve written in these pages about a lot of the heartache so many have suffered. I lost my own father during Covid and I’ve often talked here about my late wife Edel – she died 13 years ago from cancer, aged just 41.
I never thought I’d be sitting here in Spain, on a minihoneymoon, having been dealt a second chance at love.
It’s 378 days since Aisling and myself were originally meant to have been married, one of many things postponed during the pandemic. To finally have our wedding then, well, it turned out to be such an emotional and life-affirming day. A massive thanks to everyone who joined Aisling and myself at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare and to those who sent us kind wishes.
The hotel in Adare is a fabulous spot. I know Conor, one of the Fitzgeralds, well down the years. He played with Limerick himself, is married to Aislinn Connolly, John’s daughter, who has been an analyst on The Sunday Game. It’s a beautiful, family-run hotel and, knowing them well, it was the natural choice.
We’ve had our own tough times in the Duignan family since Edel’s passing. My two sons Sean and Brian are 24 and 21 now, all grown up. We really didn’t think we’d have a day like this again.
For Aisling then, it was special. She hadn’t been married and it was something we had talked about for a good while. It’s nice to find someone to spend the rest of your life with. If I get another 27 years, it’ll be up to 81, a fair innings!
It was just brilliant to have family and friends on hand. I didn’t think it would be so emotional. I felt a bit like on the morning of an All-Ireland final – I didn’t even want to eat with the butterflies and the nervous excitement.
I found the church part quite emotional for all the right reasons. A part of you feels a bit of guilt for moving on, but you’re not moving on really – Edel was a part of the day in so many different ways. I see the good in her every day in the
two lads and the way they carry themselves.