By Denise McMeel
denise@monaghanpost.com

TWO sisters who married their sweethearts at the same wedding ceremony in Rockcorry fifty years ago recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversaries in style.
Siblings Alice Brennan and Clare McCarville (nee McGinn of Swanns Cross) marked half a century of marriage to their husbands Leo Brennan and Owen McCarville respectively, at the beginning of last month.
The joint 50th anniversary celebration involved a Mass of Thanksgiving in St Mary’s Church, Corravaccan with Fr Tom Quigley followed by a family meal at the Four Season’s Hotel, Monaghan. The couples even had a chance to re-live their big day as they were ferried to the hotel by a vintage car decked in ribbons.
“We knew about the mass but the car and the photograph outside the church was a surprise. All these cameras were on us and the champagne and all. And everyone was out to see us when we arrived in town,” Alice told the Monaghan Post.
Alice and her sister Clare were married at a double wedding ceremony on September 4, 1958 in Corravaccan Church, Rockcorry. On the big day, Alice tied the knot with Leo Brennan of Keenaghbane, Ballybay while her sister Clare married Owen McCarville of Corcaghan.
After a wedding reception at the White Horse Hotel in Cootehill, the foursome even honeymooned together to the south of Ireland, taking in sights such as the Ring of Kerry.
“It was common back then. It didn’t leave you nervous on your wedding day and it was the done thing,” said Alice.
As to the secret of a long and successful marriage, Alice believes that perseverance is the key.
“Plenty of hard work. There are ups-and-downs and problems but it’s worth it. You just thank god to be together,” she added.
The Brennan’s now have five children, and live in Lisgorran, Ballybay, while the McCarville’s have six children, and live in Castleshane.