Gaoth Dobhair couple celebrate  66th wedding anniversary

GAOTH Dobhair couple Dinny and Frances Gallagher, Meenacladdy recently celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary.

Frances (née McFadden) and affectionately known as Fanny Néill is originally from Cnoc Fola, while her husband Dinny Dubh Gallagher, is a native of Meenacladdy. They met at a dance in Gortahork Hall on the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, on August 15th 1953.

They were married in St. Colmcille Church, Cnoc Fola on Tuesday, October 20, 1959.

The Nuptial Mass was celebrated by the late Fr. Seán McGettigan and they did not disclose their marriage plans to their parents until the night before.

The couple pictured on their Wedding Day in October 1959.

To mark the 66th Wedding Anniversary their granddaughter, Clíona Ní Ghallachóir composed this beautiful poem.

Lá Fhéil’ Muire Mór
san Fhómhar in 1953,

A casadh ar a chéile sibh
ag damhsa na hoích’,

‘Love at first sight’ a deir
sibh a bhí ann,

Beirt i gcuideachta a chéile,
lán de chion.

I dTeach Pobail Cholmcille
sa bhliain ‘59,

Thug sibh gealltanais bhur bpósta mar fhear agus mnaoi,

Chan cóisir mhór ná féasta
a bhí agaibh ar an lá,

Ach ceiliúradh bunaithe
ar dhílseacht ‘s grá.

Nach muid atá buíoch
beannachtach le himeacht
na mblianta,

As bhur n-oidhreacht– idir sheanchas, cheol agus scéalta,

Sibh ag dúil lenár gcuairt’s
lenár gcomhluadar gach ló,

Cúrsaí an tsaoil á bplé againn,
le bolgam tae nó dhó.

Inniu agus an bheirt agaibh
ag comóradh na féile,

Sé bliana is trí scór pósta
ar a chéile,

Nár lagaí Dia bhur ngeanúlacht ná bhur ngrá,

‘S go raibh sibh faoi choimirce Mhuire anois ‘s go brách.