Ceiliúraí / Celebrant
Ceremonies may be conducted in either Irish or English
The duty of a Celebrant is to provide a safe and welcoming ceremony where everyone is brought into the moment and engaged in nothing else. The theme of every service will always be centred around love:
Marriage or Vow Renewal, highlighting a couple’s passion for one another;
Baby Naming Ceremony celebrating the introduction of a new child to a warm and caring family;
Funeral or Life Celebration, remembering the life of a dearly departed soul.
Pet Celebrations & Memorial Services
Our furry friends become a huge part of our lives as the years go by, and it can be easy to overlook the sadness and grief we feel when their time comes. If you have need of it, I can provide a small, solemn and private service to help you say goodbye as your little buddies, be they four-legged or winged, cross over The Rainbow Bridge.
Ceremonies will not necessarily revolve around themes of religion or spirituality, but will always serve the clients’ needs. I strive to incorporate a structure through the use of ritual, culture and heritage. Ireland’s history has provided multiple forms of ceremony and celebration (particularly pre-Christian) and it is my hope that couples and families would be willing to accept and utilise what I can offer, from hand-fasting to poetry/song in the Irish language.
Individual backgrounds/faiths/cultures may also be incorporated into the ceremony where applicable – this includes Inter-Faith Ceremonies. All consultations begin with completely open minds and the result will always be a service specifically catered to you.
These are inclusive ceremonies and all are welcome to celebrate, regardless of race, creed, gender or sexuality.
Here are just some of the Ceremonial Wedding Enhancements from which you can choose:
Pagan Celtic Theme
If you are fond of pre-Christian Irish heritage, you can take advantage of nature and the time of year to coincide with one of the Celtic festivals and its symbolism, e.g. Imbolc with rebirth and new life, or Bealtaine with fire and fertility.
Handfasting
One of the oldest known symbols of marriage and unity (the origin of ‘tying the knot’). After ring/vow exchanges, hands will be tied together with coloured ribbons representing individual characteristics and their coming together.
Unity Candle
Fire symbolises passion. Here, the couple will each have a lit candle and use their single flames to light a central candle. This shows their love and passion uniting as one.
Sand Ceremony
Instead of candles, a couple might prefer the image of individual containers of sand being poured into one vessel. This visualises their lives blending into each other’s, never to separate fully again.
NOTE: Though I am a qualified Celebrant, my duties are solely reserved for conducting the relevant ceremony. I may not legally witness the signing of a Marriage Registration Form – that is the duty of a ‘Solemniser’ or HSE Registrar. All information on the legal end of marriage can be found on the HSE’s website – after that has been organised, all that is left is your special day and unique ceremony!
