Writer Jim McKeon has penned a poem called 'Wedded Blitz' which we publish here, as he marks 50 years of marriage to his wife Margaret
Jim McKeon and his wife Margaret who are married 50 years on February 20.
Jim McKeon
Golden days...
HAPPY days. Fifty years? Where did it go?
My wife Margaret and I married on Saturday, February 20, 1971, a few days after decimalization came to be. The pint went from three shillings to 15 cent.
Jim McKeon and wife Margaret McKeon at his book launch, Cabbage, Beef and Rainbows in aid of the Good Shepherd Services in the Kiln, Murphys Brewery. Picture: Darragh Kane
Weddings then were great; a free bar from noon to 6pm. The meal was 1 punt and the complete bill — 60 guests, bar and meal and everything — was 107 punts in the Country Club, now the Montenotte; brilliant hotel.
Jim and wife Margaret at a book launch in the Kiln, Heineken Ireland, a Taste Of Cork, a collection of poems compiled by Jim McKeon. Picture: Ger Bonus
At 6pm, the crowd carried me out of the hotel on their shoulders and down the road to a taxi, to the train and three days in Dublin.
Where did the years go, all the sad times and great times, the struggles, five smashing children, surprise twins, which left me speechless.
Sadly, with the present situation, we’ll celebrate with a six-pack and a takeaway from Lennox’ chipper.
