Love is in the air this week with all eyes on the British royal wedding on Friday. Will and Kate’s nuptials aren’t the only ones worth paying attention to though as, closer to home, there is chemistry in Tulla where a local pharmacist and a mechanic will tie the knot at their own “Royal Wedding” in aid of Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre.
The event has been organised to raise funds for the development of The Tulla Comhaltas Cultural Centre, which has come about due to the donation of the convent and girls primary school in Tulla by The Sisters of Mercy to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Labhrás O’Murchú, director general of Comhaltas said “This was a very generous gesture on the part of the nuns who have made such a huge contribution to the educational and cultural life of Ireland. This will be reflected in the plans for the convent and school buildings”
Plans are now being prepared to develop the convent buildings into a cultural centre with particular emphasis on the cultural traditions of Clare and will join a network of 16 other Comhaltas centres covering the whole island.
Breda McNamara, cathaoirleach of the project said, “This is an exciting and challenging project in which the whole community will have a role. We intend to make it a shop window for the cultural traditions of Clare which have won international acclaim”.
The Sisters of Mercy have a long tradition of education in the Tulla area and these fundraising events will coincide with the time the Sisters first came to Tulla in June 128 years ago.
The centre will be called “Cnoc na Gaoithe” meaning, windswept hill, which was chosen by Sr Eileen Callinan, one of the four Sisters of Mercy still residing in Tulla. Meanwhile Sisters Bosco Griffen, Ita Quinn and Annette Sexton still reside in the village. 
Tulla’s Royal Wedding will see local pharmacist Morna Toibín and mechanic Cyril Hogan walk up the aisle as Bill Tobin and Mona Hogan in this fundraising wedding, which aims to leave the nuptials in Westminster Abbey in the shade.
Local TD turned “political priest”, Timmy Dooley will officiate at the ceremony full of drama, comedy, music, song and dance. The bride comes from a staunch Fine Gael family and father of the bride, Paddy Hogan, played by Councillor Joe Arkins, has serious reservations about the success of this marriage, which is being blessed by a priest of a different persuasion.
Meanwhile his wife, Bridie (Kitty Leyden), loves Fr Falvey (Timmy Dooley) and doesn’t care what party he supports. However, the heartbroken parents of only child Bill Tobin, who has lived at home with his mother (Noel McNamara) and father (Kevin Dillon) until his 40th birthday, are only consoled by the fact that their medical card charges will be waived now that Mona is part of the family.
The wedding is being produced by local woman Anita O’Loughlin, who has produced many productions in the past. The event will be followed by a sit down meal with full bar facilities and dancing catering for all tastes as members of the Tulla Céilí band, local musicians and Larry McEvoy will provide the entertainment. There will also be many surprise guests throughout the evening.
Tickets for the event are limited and will be available from Tulla Pharmacy, Tulla Post Office and Custys Music shop, Ennis, and online at www.custysmusic.com from early May.
Inquiries can be made to Breda McNamara on 087 8350996 or Angela Keogh on 087 1715760 or visit www.Tullaonline.ie for regular updates.