Posted online: Oct 21st, 2009

Childhood sweethearts marry after 49 years

Two Inishowen childhood sweethearts finally tied the knot last week – after 49 years.

Love-struck Madge Collins and Frank Hirrell, both from Carndonagh, first fell in love when they were both 16 and 19 respectively.

However, after a few months they parted ways and went on to live their lives separately. 

Madge, who will be 67 next month, married local man Jack Collins and had ten children, six girls and four boys. She now also has 43 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Frank, who turned 70 on Saturday last, moved to England where he married Sandra Appleton.

Sadly, both were widowed and Frank moved back to Ireland in 1993.

Then, seven years ago, fate stepped in and Frank and Madge met and fell in love once again.

Their love was sealed at their marriage in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Carndonagh last Thursday, followed by a reception in the Strand Hotel, Ballyliffin, which was attended by 250 delighted friends and family.

Speaking to the “Inish Times” as they honeymooned in Bundoran, the newly-weds revealed how Frank didn’t recognise his future wife when he saw her after 42 years and said their love was “meant to be.”

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw him after 42 years,” said Madge.

“I wasn’t going out much after Jack passed away but that night my daughter wanted to pick me up a bit and said to me ‘Why don’t you come down to McGonagle’s Bar to hear a bit of music?’ A man called Patrick McLaughlin was playing and he was great so I thought I’d go down. When I walked in I saw Frank and just couldn’t believe it. But he didn’t recognise me at all!

“Frank’s sister-in-law called us down then and she told me to sit down beside her. Sure didn’t she edge over until she got me and Frank sitting beside each other! We got talking, went out again a few nights later and that was that. You know I think it was just meant to be.”

The couple decided to get married “about a year ago” and the wedding day was very much a family affair.

“The whole family was there apart from one of the grandchildren who unfortunately couldn’t get off work,” explained Madge.

“My sister Nuala Doherty was bridesmaid and Frank’s brother Tommy was best man. My daughter’s wee girl and boy, Stephanie and Shane Lynch, were flowergirl and pageboy. They were all looking great. It really was a brilliant day. The meal was beautiful and everyone had a brilliant time. It was all family and our friends; we just really enjoyed ourselves. We had the Dukes of Hazzard car because it looked great and we thought it would be good craic.”

Madge’s stunning outfit was made by her talented dressmaker daughter Bridie Doherty, from Clonmany.

Madge paid a touching tribute to her other half.

“He’s very, very good to me. He always was even since before we were married. He’s just made my life this past few years and picked me up from where I was before. He gave me a new life really.”