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17th Nov 2015

Barrister and Banker Become First Couple To Celebrate Same Sex Marriage

The couple have been together for 12 years

Cassie Delaney

Following the officialdom of full recognition of same-sex marriage yesterday, the first official ceremony has taken place.

Barrister Cormac Gollogly married Richard Dowling this morning in a service in Clonmel. Senior registrar Mary-Claire Heffernan officiated the ceremony. The couple had previously celebrated civil partnership with a large ceremony and honeymoon in the Maldives.

This morning’s ceremony is a low-key affair, a private event between the couple. The workers in the registry office will serve as witnesses.

Cormac Gollogly & Richard Dowling

(photo via whatshewears.ie) 

“We didn’t want to detract from the main ceremony and debated what to do,” Mr Gollogly told The Irish Times. “We decided to keep it simple and decided to have lunch with the families in Dublin.”

Couples wishing to be married must register. The waiting period is usually three months but this does not apply is there is an existing civil partnership.

“We are aiming to be the first in the country,” said Mr Gollogly. “We are very excited. We feel very honoured and grateful to Mary-Claire who will be there in the morning with us.” Mary-Claire also officiated their civil partnership.

The couple have been together for 12 years.

cover photo via This Modern Love