Dean of Cork marries in ‘modern-day love story’

It might not exactly have been love at first sight, but it’s certainly happily ever after for a newlywed Cork couple who describe themselves as “definitely a modern-day love story”.

The Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, and Sonya Dunne (nee Keogh) celebrated their marriage service and nuptial choral Eucharist at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Saturday.

The officiant was the Rt Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, performing his final marriage ceremony as bishop before his retirement next April. Famously, in 1999 he performed the marriage ceremony of David and Victoria Beckham.

The Rev Dunne has been Dean of Cork since 2007, and Ms Dunne works for Gas Networks Ireland – “I’m church and she’s state,” Rev Dunne quipped.

The happy couple had first met professionally, he said, and they didn’t immediately hit it off.

“Oh, I thought she was a nightmare.

“Sonya was organising a festival, and she wanted the cathedral for a week – for free,” he said.

For her own part, Ms Dunne was also somewhat less than impressed.

“I thought he was very stern, a bit cool and aloof,” she said, as both laughed at the memory.

Both softened over time, and friendship blossomed, but it was only when they shook hands at a gathering in the cathedral that a spark was lit.

“We had both been married before but had been single for a long time,” Ms Dunne said. “It was only when I thought what a lovely warm hand he had that I had my first thought of a man in a very long time.” 

They decided to go out, she recalled, but with firm rules in place. 

“I said ‘I don’t know if I can do romance’.” Rev Dunne immediately agreed. “I said adult company will do,” he added.

A drink in Arthur Mayne’s followed, where they watched the Scotland Ireland game together.

The rest is in the happily ever after category, and Ms Dunne said theirs has been “a modern-day love story”.

“We have had the most wonderful love affair, and on Saturday we had a huge crowd of people, family, friends, and from the cathedral community,” she said.

Rev Dunne said the day had been a celebration of love, surrounded by family and friends.

The service featured a choir of some 40 voices and an ensemble of Cork’s leading musicians on strings, trumpet, flute and timpani.

Next stop for the happy couple is a honeymoon in Seville.