Marriage rates fall to lowest level since 1998

Marriage rates are falling while the age of those tying the knot continues to rise, it has emerged.

There were 19,855 marriages registered in 2011, down 3.6% on the previous year and the lowest in the State since 1998 when there were 16,783.

The figures from the CSO show that in 2011 the average age of the groom was 34.6 years and the bride 32.5, both six months older than the previous year.