A Wedding On Inis Oírr, Co. Galway, Ireland 1984

Micheál Ó hAlmhain marries Áine Ní Chonghaile on Inis Oírr, the first wedding to take place on the island in nine years.

In August 1983 Dublin musician Micheál Ó hAlmhain marries Inis Oírr (Inisheer) native Áine Ní Chonghaile. It is the first wedding on the smallest and most eastern of the three Aran Islands in nine years, and unsurprisingly it is a huge occasion for the island people.

A boat bringing wedding guests, among them the writer, musician and film maker Éamon de Buitléar, arrives at the harbour. For many of the visitors, it is their first opportunity to see Inis Oírr and there is plenty for them them to experience. The guests are welcomed and helped ashore by the bride and groom.

The groom’s party, including traditional musicians and best man Dáithí Connaughton, walk to the bride’s home. Together, both parties make their way to the church for the wedding ceremony. On Inis Mór the bride and groom would go the church on a horse, but on Inis Oírr everyone goes on foot.

Traditional and modern ways coexist on Inis Oírr. Folklorist Séamas Ó Catháin reflects on the marriage customs of the region in times past.

‘Pósadh In Inis Oírr’ was broadcast on 17 March 1984. The producer is Tomás MacArdghail. The music is composed by Janet Harbison.