Ahern takes a break from TV for Chawke wedding

FORMER taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday celebrated his new-found TV presenter fame at a big wedding bash in Adare.

He was a guest of Adare-born sporting publican Charlie Chawke.

Chawke is one of those who chipped in to the well-publicised dig-out for Mr Ahern when he was minister for finance.

Lisa, the eldest daughter of Charlie and Bernice Chawke, married Limerickman Colin Enright.

Mr Chawke lost a leg when shot outside one of his Dublin pubs, The Goat Inn, some years ago during an armed hold-up.

Bow-tied Mr Ahern was swamped by well-wishers as he arrived unaccompanied at the Holy Trinity Abbey church in the Co Limerick heritage village.

At one point during the wedding ceremony he left the church to catch up on news from Beijing on boxing Dub Kenny Egan via his mobile phone.

“Ah, that’s great,” he was overheard enthusing at the news.

Mr Ahern enjoyed a pint after the church ceremony in Aunty Lena’s — one of the two pubs in the village which Mr Chawke owns.

The bride, Lisa, manages the Dropping Well pub in Miltown, one of the chain of pubs her father owns in Dublin.

Last night the 350 guests danced late into the night at a huge marque in the grounds of the five-star Adare Manor.

The village church was decorated with 2,000 white roses arranged by French floral designer, Stephanie Doussal, and the aisles were lined with large white candles.

Former Tipperary hurler Jimmy Wilson travelled from St Albans in Britain. He is a regular at Sunderland where Mr Chawke is a director.