A Wedding Story

Foryd Harbour Bridge, Rhyl, built 1932

My grandparents, Kevin Wynne and Annie Byrne, married at six o'clock in the morning, on 10th August 1936, at O'Toole's Church, just around the corner from Granny's house. Mass was said by Fr Daniel Delaney CC. We don't know who their guests were and there are no photographs of the event.

Granny's mother probably didn't attend the wedding. Legend has it, she didn't go to any of their weddings. Why? I don't know. Maybe she was just a bit odd. It's also doubtful Granda's parents came back from England for the occasion. So, it was likely a small, 'intimate' affair.

We do know Granda's brother Brendan Patrick Wynne came over from England. He was Granda's best man and one of the named witnesses. He probably represented the family. Kathleen Byrne, Granny's older and only sister, was bridesmaid. She also signed the register as a witness. And I'd say Granny's father and siblings were there, and Granda's Aunt Mary, who raised him.

It's probably unlikely many of their friends attended at that hour of a Monday morning, although maybe they popped in on their way to work. Certainly, there was no time afterwards for a celebratory breakfast with the bride and groom. Granny and Granda left on the early-morning sailing to Wales, where they had planned to honeymoon. It must have all been a rush of excitement.

On her wedding day, Granny wore a lovely pale pink dress, in heavy satin. I'd say she looked smashing and probably didn't even notice the light morning drizzle. Their eldest daughter subsequently wore the dress in her First-Year school play. Granny was always petite, so it probably didn't need much adjustment. Nina played the part of the fairy princess. Granda made her wings.

The bridal couple spent a week in Rhyl, on honeymoon. 'Sunny Rhyl' had a reputation as an elegant seaside resort then. Advertisements for the town featured prominently in the holidays section of Irish newspapers, including this boarding house that advertised in the Irish Press, daily, in the months before their wedding. What are the chances they maybe stayed here?

Irish Press, 8 August 1936, p. 18

I'm sure the newly-weds had great fun together in Rhyl, taking in all the sights. Perhaps they walked hand-in-hand along the long sandy beach. Maybe they visited the fairground rides and the zoo at Marine Lake. Perhaps they even took in a show at the Pavilion Theatre.

Sadly, there may be no one left to fill in the gaps in their wedding story. Anyone?

• Marriage of Anne Byrne and Kevin Wynne on 10 August 1936, Dublin, Group Registration ID 1434533, Civil records, Irishgenealogy.ie.