Couple 'make history' as first same-sex duo to tie the knot in Ireland

An otherwise-unremarkable waiting area in a HSE-run building on the outskirts of Clonmel has made history by becoming the venue for the country’s first same-sex marriage, thanks to the union of Richard Dowling and Cormac Gollogly.

The couple became civil partners in Kilshane House in Co Tipperary in September and waited for the Marriage Act 2015 to officially become law to become the first couple to avail of its provisions, as passed by referendum earlier in the year.

As they had already enjoyed a day out in front of family and friends in September, the Dublin-based couple decided to keep yesterday’s ceremony low-key, exchanging their vows before registrar Mary-Claire Heffernan and two witnesses, Jane McLoughlin and Vitaliy Halstyan of Kilshane House.