Love stories begin in Kilbarron!

Shane MacGowan of the Pogues in the song ‘Boys From The County Hell’ sang ‘On the first day of March it was raining…’ - but the rain held off this year on the afternoon of March 1 for Colm Smith as he proposed to his partner Jennifer de Little by the Shane MacGowan memorial in Kilbarron.

Colm and Jennifer, both from Perrystown in Dublin 12, were joined by Colm’s two sons Sean and Eoin and their girlfriends Saorla and Cora for the occasion and a weekend by Lough Derg.

A ‘massive’ Pogues and MacGowan fan for over 35 years, Colm thought it fitting to propose to Jennifer by the recently erected tribute to the lyricist with the words of his favourite song, ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon’.

On hand were two men who were behind the local project, photographer Michael Molamphy, who captured the moment, and publican Joe Hannigan with his wife Jane, who opened their local bar earlier than usual and had drinks on the ready with an open fire blazing for the celebration.

Colm said: “We had such a fantastic weekend and the hospitality of the local people was second to none.

“We love this part of the country and had such a memorable weekend, thanks to Jane and Joe Hannigan in their pub and for letting us sing a few Pogues songs along with Michael and his camera who took the photographs.

PHILLY’S

Colm added: “Also a huge thanks to all the management and staff in Philly Ryan’s bar in Nenagh where we had plenty of music and celebrations on Saturday night followed by recovery and a very tasty Sunday afternoon meal in The Whiskey Still in Dromineer.”

Jokingly, Colm said: “I let the old tradition of February 29 pass with no sign of Jennifer proposing to me. So I’m just glad she said ‘yes’ on the first day of March.”