Today (Tuesday, November 17) was very special for Wayne Gough and DJ O’Hanlon, from Lordship, Co. Louth, as they tied the knot and became one of the first same sex unions recognised as married in the Republic of Ireland. The ink was hardly dry on the Presidential Order when Wayne and DJ married officially in a short private ceremony at the renowned Harvey’s Point Hotel in Donegal
Wayne, station manager at Dublin Airport and financial accountant PJ had already celebrated their Civil Partnership at the multi-award winning hotel a few months ago in the presence of family and friends. They discovered Harvey’s Point one day whilst out driving and seeing it in the magic of the lakeside setting and the beauty of the hotel made them decide if ever they did get married, it would be at Harvey’s Point. Today that dream came true and in the process, Wayne and DJ made their own little piece of Irish history.
The happy couple said that being properly married and to have that marriage recognised in every way was ‘a fantastic feeling’. They added that now they felt at last that they were accepted like every other married couple and all that this entails.
Speaking on behalf of Harvey’s Point, Sheila Russell said that the hotel looks forward to extending the warmest welcome to the many same sex couples that would like to marry in this very special location. Located on the magical shores of Lough Eske with the beautiful hills of Donegal as a backdrop, Harvey’s Point is the perfect wedding venue. ‘It is lovely for Harvey’s Point that all weddings will be the same and all couples will feel pampered and special and that marriage is not just confined to some and not others’, she said.
Sheila also thanked Wedding Registrar Siobhan Duffy Brown who facilitated the early morning wedding on the shores of Lough Eske.
‘It is a great day for Ireland’, said Noel Cunningham, general manager of Harvey’s Point. ‘We once again make a very strong statement about equality and fairness and the world will take note. We lived in the shadows too long and I will have a very special welcome for all same sex couples getting married at Harvey’s Point. Today we roll out a very special pink carpet’ he added.
The happy couple are pictured with witnesses, Karen Morrison, left, and Linda Duffy.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)
MAJELLA O’Donnell gave her expert advice at the latest Donegal Woman in Business conference, as well as some...
IMAGINE driving through tree lined country roads, taking a turn and there before you is a glorious Lake surrounded...