Galway’s first same-sex marriage is expected to take place in the New Year.
According to the country’s General Register Office, one notification has been received in Galway to hold a same-sex marriage.
Speaking on the issue Nuala Ward, founder of Galway Pride and long time LGBT activist said this was reflective of many same sex couples who have already had a big day out for their civil partnership ceremony.
“It’s always been about having the same rights,” she stated. Whether couples choose to get married or not, whether they choose to have a grand event or a laidback celebration – that’s their prerogative.
Asked whether she was surprised there hadn’t been more marriages registered in Galway, Ms Ward reiterated that the Referendum was never about marriage per-se, but about the fact that same-sex should have that choice – marriage equality was a human rights issue, she added.
The Department of Social Protection on behalf of the General Register Office stated “one same sex marriage notification was received in Galway on 16th November 2015; the date on which same sex marriage legislation took effect”.
Ireland’s first landmark same-sex marriage took place two weeks ago in Clonmel between Cormac Gollogly and Richard Dowling.
Their nuptials were exchanged in the waiting area of a HSE-run building on the outskirts of Clonmel in front of registrar Mary-Claire Heffernan and two witnesses.
The couple affirmed the low-key affair was to formalise the legalities of their union. “We had done the glamorous venue. This was nice.”
Galway West voted in favour of same-sex marriage with 61.5% of votes in favour of the referendum.
Galway itself is widely considered to be all-inclusive LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) friendly city.
Legislation came into effect just two weeks ago – there have been no further same-sex marriage registrations in Galway since.
The breakthrough Constitutional amendment to the Marriage Equality Bill 2015 is still in its early days.
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