Bealtaine (May 1st) marks the beginning of summer all over Ireland. May Fairs celebrating Bealtaine have been held for centuries in towns around the country. Farmers and traders traveled from near and far to meet, socialize and sell their wares at the fairs. Before mass communication, fairs were a natural place for young people from around the countryside to meet each other. Couples would pair off to court, and (possibly) wed that summer.
Keeping in mind the tradition of summer weddings, here are wedding and formal couple portraits from my grandfather’s collection — my grandparents’, included. Like the couples before them, my grandparents met in a place so many had traveled to for opportunity, though it was far larger than any May Fair either would have attended in their youths.
Andrew C. & Julia Lennon Moore wedding. Julia’s cousin (name needed), Julia Lennon, Andrew C. Moore, Andrew’s brother (name needed). September 4, 1932, New York City, NY.Andrew C. and Julia Lennon Moore wedding. Andrew’s brother (name needed), Julia’s cousin (name needed), Julia Lennon, Andrew C. Moore. September 4, 1932, New York City, NY.Frank Donnelley and Madeleine Margay wedding, Dublin.
L to R: Cathal O’Neill (Best Man), Patsy Ryan (nee Donnelly, Bridesmaid & sister of Groom), Michael Donnelly (father of Groom), Mary Moore (mother of Groom), Madeleine Margey (Bride), Hugh Margey (father of Bride), Mae Margey (mother of Bride), Hugh Margey Jnr. (brother of Bride) & Jill Margey (Bridesmaid and sister of Bride).
Many thanks to Louise Donnelley, daughter of the wedding couple for providing names!Madeleine Margay and Frank Donnelley wedding, Dublin, Ireland.Frank Donnelley and Madeleine Margay wedding, newspaper announcement. Dublin, Ireland.James and Annie (Cummins) Lennon of Tinnecarrig, Co. Carlow, Ireland. James was the brother of Julia (Lennon) Moore, Thomas (“Sonny”) Lennon, and Minnie (Lennon) Byrne. Wedding couple unknown. Mary K. Moore is bridesmaid next to groom. Wedding couple unknown. Mary K. Moore is bridesmaid next to groom.Michael Morrissey and Mary “Mae” Byrne wedding, Ireland. Mary “Mae” Byrne, at her wedding to Michael Morrissey, Ireland. James F. and Mary K. Moore wedding, September 3, 1960, San Francisco, California.
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