All families are facing restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
And a Derry family found a way to get loved ones in New York for a long-awaited wedding anniversary.
After postponing their wedding twice, Connor Stark and Emma Lasch had to commit to their third date on September 18th.
While Connor’s mother, Caroline Stark, and her husband, Paul, were able to attend the wedding, many of the rest of the Irish side were unable to attend due to travel restrictions.
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Connor’s aunt Jacquie talked to MyDerry about the day.
She said, “We had set up a zoom link so the Derry family, including Caroline’s godmother Kathleen Caldwell, could feel part of the occasion. All of the cousins wanted so badly to be a part of Connor’s Day so we joined them from Manchester and Liverpool University as well.
Wedding guests in Derry, Manchester, Liverpool and New York watch the newlyweds take the dance floor.
“The day itself was wonderful. The zoom link in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Albany, New York was perfect. We saw it all. The web link that was set up at the Kenmare Ballroom Albany was exceptional as the whole family was connected.
“We in Derry also attended the wedding. Jack Loughrey, Connor’s cousin performed a poem / rap he personally composed that day through Zoom and I read some Irish blessings to the guests in Albany!
“The Albany family met the newest member of the family, baby Eireann Grace, when proud parents Niamh and Aaron and their grandparents showed them off on Zoom.”
The Gasyard Center in Derry provided the venue for the wedding anniversary, and resident chef Sha Martin served those in attendance a three-course meal and got people to serve and clear the tables.
Jacquie Loughrey, aunt of the groom Connor, read an Irish blessing to the guests of the wedding.
Jacquie told MyDerry about the moment that struck me during the wedding day – when an old video of Connor’s grandfather Seamus was played singing “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” during the mother and son dance.
She said, “The whole day’s tear movie heard our late father Seamus McAnee sing his party piece when he was visiting America. Connor found a clip in which he sang a singer and coached the City of Derry Swimming Club on one of his many trips to America and the Jersey coast.
“He had the clip professionally cleaned and then surprised his mother with it at the mother-and-son dance to a tearful crowd singing along on both sides of the pond. You could swear Seamus was there singing his favorite song.”
For more news from Derry, please visit our new MyDerry website.
