Bride takes “traditional route”

In what is now a traditional family route, a Buncrana bride followed in her sister’s footsteps by walking to the aisle right from her front door. Nyreen Porter stepped out from her aptly titled home in Church Lane to St Mary’s Oratory on the arm of her proud father Bill on Friday last. She was greeted by well-wishers and delighted drivers along the route, which was also taken by her sister Doreen just nine months earlier. The approximate 500 yard walk ended at the top of the aisle where her beaming father gave her away to her now husband, Tom Mitchell, from Loughrea, Co Galway. Speaking to the “Inish Times” after the “brilliant” day, Nyreen said she “enjoyed’ walking to the chapel and thankfully had no mishaps on the way. Her mother Brid revealed the tradition was the idea of Nyreen’s father who “always said he would walk his daughters from their home to the chapel when they got married.” He walked the same route last August with his other daughter Doreen when she married her husband Denis Bourne. Bill said he was “very proud” to be able to fulfil his wish and was thankful it all went to plan, “apart from Nyreen telling me to stop standing on her dress!” he laughed. The radiant bride was flanked by her bridesmaid and sister Doreen Bourne, Shauna McFadden, Collette McDaid and her daughter Amy Porter. The groom was attended by Enda Garvey, Jonathan Mitchell, Stephen Mitchell and pageboy Donncha Mitchell. After the service in St Mary’s Oratory, which was officiated by Nyreen’s uncle, Fr Micheal Porter, the wedding party made their way to the stunning surroundings of “Dorrian’s House” in Fahan for their wedding photographs. They then enjoyed an excellent and lively reception in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana. Nyreen said she, her husband, family and friends had a “brilliant day” and wished to thank those who helped make it so special. “I’d like to thank everyone at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel and the band Splitz who were all fantastic.” Her mother Brid agreed. “Everyone came up to me and said it was such a beautiful day, everything went as planned and everyone enjoyed themselves. The floor was never empty and Amy danced all night!” The happy couple are set to jet off to Cyprus today on their honeymoon