By Dionne Meehan
A LOVED-UP Ramelton couple celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary last week.
Former Donegal County Councillor Ian McGarvey (93) and his wife Marjorie (91) celebrated 70 years of marriage with a special get together in the Silver Tassie Hotel last Saturday.
Ian first laid eyes on Marjorie at a dance in the Town Hall in Ramelton many moons ago.
“The Summer Cup competition was running at the time and the games were every Wednesday night.
“There was a dance in Ramelton after the football and that is where we met,” he said.
And after much deliberation, two years later Marjorie agreed to marry Ian.
The pair got married in the Lagg Chapel in Milford at 8am on June 22, 1954.
Everything about the day was meticulously planned, from the date to the location.
Choosing to get married during the summer solstice, Ian said they chose that day especially because it was the longest day of the year.
RELIGIOUS DIVISIONS
The pair intended on having a quiet wedding, with Ian’s best man Willie Diver and Marjorie’s bridesmaid Annie McDermott.
This was because it was very unusual for “one” to marry the “other” Ian said, as he is Church of Ireland and Marjorie is Catholic.
Following their reception in The Central in Letterkenny, the couple were whisked off to Sligo where they spent one week for their honeymoon.
Following their return home, they moved in with Marjorie’s mother for a short period before purchasing their forever home in which they still live in today.
As years went on, the pair was blessed with three children, two girls and one boy.
All have now sadly passed away.
“You wouldn’t believe how hard things have been and how difficult they have been,” Ian told the Donegal News.
With 70 years of marital experience behind him, Ian shared some of his top tips for a long marriage.
“I always say, when you get married to a woman you only need to know two words,” Ian explained.
“Just say ‘yes dear’ no matter what she says,” he joked.
Although this is valid advice, he continued by talking about the importance of sharing a life together, no matter what difficulties may arise.
“One thing about a long marriage is that there is no such thing as a problem.
“Every problem has a solution.
“There is no point getting engaged in something if you don’t realise that if a problem arises, it will have to be worked out together,” Ian concluded.
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