These days Irish weddings can last many hours and sometimes a couple of days. Ok I was a bit nervous when I learned that returning to one's hotel room to take a nap or freshen up is not uncommon. Egads, a nap?!?? What on earth?!? I'll do my best here to recount this part of the adventure. I cannot include everything but I'll giver 'er a go.
First up the night before the wedding, a rehearsal takes place at the church. While there is no rehearsal dinner, the groom's family hosted a get together in the hotel bar. -starting at about 9:30PM. It is not an all night affair but an opportunity for the groom and his family to gather and chill a bit before the big day. I met yet another Irish second cousin at this event so I was happy. The wedding itself was a typical Catholic Nuptial Mass -the marriage happens in the middle of the service. Some of the service was in Gaelic but I won't elaborate other than I had no freaking idea what prayers were being said. But the service is just the warm up for the reception -which is a long, happy, wild, celebration. It starts with a champagne reception for the guests. The happy couple is off taking pictures. About 45-60 mins. later the newly weds arrive and a bell rings (old school bell) and calling all for dinner-the wedding started at one PM and the dinner bell rang at 5 PM. Ok, then a sumptuous meal is served -liquor is served but is not mandatory. Dinner lasts more than an hour. Then come the speeches from both Dads and the groomsmen - and after each speech is a champagne toast. Dessert follows this but not wedding cake?!?? WHAT?! NO CAKE OH NO. While dessert is served the band is setting up for their 10PM start time. No it's too late to start dancing, I'm tired, but to quote my mother-in law used, it was hardly dark out! The dancing that followed can be hazardous to your health. It was fast and fun and everyone is out there flailing away -except for the Big Fella. His dance chops aren't what they used to be and was content to watch the merriment. I danced and my ankle was not happy about it but what the heck. The music was good and I could not hold back my happy feet.
With the first set done, the banquet staff were ready with more food. More food???? This time sandwiches, finger foods and petite fours. Tea and coffee are offered but liquor remains available. At this point my ankle is sore, the feet are swollen, and I am getting pretty darned tired. Alas call me a party pooper but I left during the second set. The traveling companions hung in there for a bit longer. But the party is not over yet...
Once the band finished a DJ took over and the disco began -1 AM folks. A little birdie told me that the party continued until 5 AM or so and ended with the guys doing a bit of Irish dancing. Now that I would've liked to see. The newly weds stayed until the very end and were seen at breakfast the next day at around 9:30-10 AM but looked to be in a trance. But it ain't over yet...
After breakfast the Baties and a couple others decided to go for a drive in the Connemara to enjoy the scenery of the area, but were instructed to be back by 7 PM. Another gathering was scheduled at a pub close-by. Oy,oy,oy I don't know how they do it! There was beer and food at the pub and great conversation and a bit of debriefing re: the speeches. Two days after the wedding we bid adieu to all -happy for the couple, happy to experience an Irish wedding, happy to still be in Ireland and happy to move to the next phase of our adventure to rest up.
More to come...a drive through the Burren, the foggy Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, dogs, more sheep, and eating hedges from the passenger side of the car
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