CHRISTINE MAGEE OF Duleek, Co Meath, and Luc Banchereau of Angers, France, were married in St Cianan’s church, Duleek, on Saturday, July 18th. The ceremony was concelebrated by parish priest Fr John Conlon, and Père Pascal Batardiere, Luc’s cousin.
Christine’s sister Eilís was bridesmaid, while the best man, Luc’s brother Thomas, was aided in his duties by groomsman Anthony. Friends and family from Ireland, France and Quebec joined Luc and Christine in their reception in Kilsharvan Mill, a mill restored by the entrepreneur Gavin Duffy, near Julianstown, Co Meath.
Christine is the younger daughter of Róisín and Kevin Magee, both retired teachers and both originally from Northern Ireland, who have lived in Duleek for more than 30 years. Christine attended the Sacred Heart School in Drogheda and then UCD, where she completed her MA in French. She had met Luc while on her Erasmus year in Angers, so she returned to France and completed both her Capesand Agrégation. She is now teaching English in Saumur.
Luc is the son of Gérard and Odile Banchereau of St-Gemmes-sur-Loire and is teaching English in Angers, having met Christine while they were students together. Luc studied English in the University of Angers, the US and England, and is a talented cartoonist.
The bridal party was photographed in the grounds of Kilsharvan. The reception followed with wines from the Loire Valley chosen by Gérard, Luc and his brother Thomas. French guests, some coiffed with Basque berets, provided musical entertainment in the form of specially composed faux-17th-century ballads which extolled the virtues of bride and groom. Visual and musical presentations recalled childhood memories of the newlyweds and recounted their meeting and falling in love.
Guests danced till the early hours to both French and Irish music, while cousin Ollie finished off the entertainment at around 4am by accompanying himself in a few well-chosen ballads. The couple are honeymooning in New York, Washington, Atlanta, Florida and Quebec before returning to their home in Angers this week.
Photographs: KEVIN MAGEE