New marriage laws have little impact in Offaly
The introduction of new marriage laws has failed to cause a flurry of excitement amongst the traditional romantics in Offaly.
Since last Monday it is possible to hold a civil marriage ceremony in a venue other than a registry office and, while you may not be allowed to tie the knot on top of the Slieve Bloom mountains, it does allow couples more freedom for their ceremonies.
GAA grounds, castles and hotels are venues which have been cited as possible locations for wedding venues in the future, but its seems that it has failed to cause any major changes in Tullamore.
?We have had no enquiries about holding a wedding ceremony in the hotel. The traditional wedding of a religious ceremony in a church followed by a hotel reception is very popular,? said a spokesperson for the Tullamore Court Hotel.
?It might be some time before these new laws will have any effect.?
The lack of interest in the new law was echoed by the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore and Kinnitty Castle.
In order to carry out a wedding the venue in question must meet certain criteria set out by the HSE, who stipulate that the building must be ?dignified?, open to the public and no food or drink may be served during the ceremony.
