Hill of Tara hosts wedding celebration

A frost-covered Hill of Tara was the scene of a colourful wedding celebration on Monday, the day of the winter solstice. Emma Halpin, grandaughter of the late Bill Tormey, a former owner of the Hill of Tara, married Australian Chris Allison in the Church of Ireland Cathedral in Trim on Monday afternoon and they celebrated afterwards in Maguire's on the Hill of Tara. The happy couple laid a wreath of the grave of Emma's grandparents in the old churchyard on the hill, before the celebrations began in earnest. Emma, a daughter of Maeve and James Halpin, grew up in Nobber, but has been living in Australia for some years. The couple were married in a civil ceremony in Perth but came home to Ireland for a Church blessing in Trim. Emma particularly wanted to celebrate her big day on the Hill of Tara - which has always been close to her heart - on the day of the winter solstice. Michael Maguire provided his premises for the celebration and closed up shop early to facilitate the happy couple.