Love still in the air 60 years on for Maureen and Joe…

Love is in the air in Tyrone this Valentine’s Day!

Some of us may receive letters and gifts from secret admirers who hope to plants the seeds of a blossoming love story, others might otherwise be anxiously preparing to go down on one knee to pop the big question to their significant other.

As Cupid firmly prepares to strike the good folk of the county with his arrow, we thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to talk to someone with a truly admirable wealth of experience when it comes to the secrets of a long-lasting marriage.

Maureen and Joe Flanagan from Legfordrum, outside Strabane, recently celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary with their family at the Glenpark Estate, near Gortin.

Having married in Glenock Chapel, Newtownstewart, on December 30, 1963, they have six children, 21 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

This week, Maureen recalled their 60 years of marriage, starting off with the tale of how she and Joe first met.

She began, “I was 18 years of age and Joe was 19.

“Back in those days, the local church would run sporting events throughout the summer – tug-of-war and the likes – and it would all take place in a big field.

“It was through those sporting events that we first met and within three years we were married in our early 20s.”

Recalling fond and modest memories of their wedding, Maureen continued, “There was no big flashy, expensive weddings in those days.

“We were married in the Glenock Chapel, and had our reception in the Abercorn Arms, and then it was off to Dublin for our honeymoon.”

This was their first time visiting Dublin.

ADVENTURES

Speaking of their adventures in the capital city, Maureen said, “We took the train to Dublin and stayed in a lovely B&B in Fairview that was owned by a friendly wee lady who kept us right regarding what buses to get around on and what sights to see.

“I fondly recall a visit to Dublin Zoo, and taking in the sights of the city.

“I had never seen anything like it in those days.”

It wasn’t long until Maureen and Joe’s first son, Martin, was born in February 1965.

“He’ll be turning 60 next year,” Maureen explained.

“Where does the time go?”

Pondering upon memories of Valentine’s Days gone by, Maureen then joked, “My husband wouldn’t be the most romantic, I don’t think.

“When we were courtin’ back in the day, his brother would buy the Valentine’s Day cards and pass them onto me on his behalf.

“Although I suppose you could say that Joe was just rather shy, really.”

For their Diamond anniversary, the couple held a somewhat private celebration with their family in attendance.

“It was a good night. The whole family came together, and it was just lovely.

“We’ve had many big celebrations over the years, like our 50th anniversary, where nearly the whole parish would have been invited, but we just thought it would be lovely to celebrate this time as a family.”

So, after 60 years of marriage, the only questioned that remained on the tip of my tongue was, ‘What is the great secret?’

‘NO SECRET’

“There’s no secret really,” explains Maureen. “These days, many couples seem to split up after one wee bump in the road.

“Back in our day, there was no money and we didn’t have much, but we got on with it.

“Joe always worked extremely hard and provided for us all.”