Lovely Longford couple celebrate Diamond Wedding Anniversary

Anthony and Esther were joined in holy matrimony on November 7, 1962 at St Anne's Church, Curry and their wedding breakfast was held in the Longford Arms Hotel.

They enjoyed a two week honeymoon touring Ireland, taking in Galway, Dublin, Wexford and Cork all by public transport.

Their Diamond Anniversary celebration was attended by fifty well wishers, with music and entertainment by Liam Fenelon, Ambrose McDermott and Noel Sweeney. While a very special cake was baked by Esther’s friend Mai Kelly and it proved to be a truly memorable occasion.

Anthony and Esther met through a mutual love of hurling and camogie. Anthony was very involved with establishing hurling in Longford and he also helped establish the camogie club. The couple were due to get married on August 16, 1961 but three weeks prior to that, Esther was diagnosed with TB and admitted to Peamount Hospital for 16 months and the wedding was postponed and rescheduled.

Esther (nee Reehill) hails from 7 St Mary’s Terrace, Longford and her father, Thomas, was a garda detective and was transferred from Sligo (where Esther was born) to Longford. Her mother, Mary, was a housewife. Esther had two sisters and six brothers. She worked for the County Council, initially in the rates department, then the County Hospital and St Joseph's as clerical support to the matron. She then worked for Mr Foley, County Engineer, Longford County Council until she got married and had to resign.

Anthony is a Kerryman, born in Killarney and he came to Longford in 1958 to teach in St Michael’s National School, Longford. In 1960 he became the principal in Stonepark National School and he also moved to live in Stonepark.

Anthony and Esther had four children Thomas, Margaret Mary, Geraldine and Veronica. The couple were always very community focused. Alongside their passion for hurling and camogie, Anthony and Esther frequently organised American tea parties and whist drives to raise funds for Stonepark national school. They also held summer tennis tournaments in the school to keep children active and occupied. Both of them were also very involved in pitch and putt.

Away from the classroom, Anthony was committed to involving children in gaelic football and hurling competitions.

Esther managed girls soccer and gaelic teams and she also helped set up Stonepark Tops of the Town group over 40 years ago - there was always intense competition between Longford Tops of the Town and Stonepark! Gifted at arts and crafts, Esther has won many ICA awards and she has crafts on display at ICA headquarters (An Grianan).

She organised many tours for ICA members and the elderly, and in 1986 she received a County Longford Person of the Year award.

Esther served as a volunteer with Longford Credit Union for many years and she also worked on the tote at Longford Greyhound track.

Anthony and Esther both still lead active lives. Esther loves her bingo, whist drives, ICA, 89 Club and Backstage to name a few. Anthony retired from teaching in 1996 and he never lost his love for Kerry, hurling, GAA, reading and horse racing!
Congratulations to Anthony and Esther on their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and everyone wishes them continued health and happiness.