Gobbins cafe couple have the recipe for wedding celebrations in a pandemic

Wedding day smiles for Anne and Michael.

Anne English and Michael Loughran, owners of the Gobbins Cafe at the popular visitor attraction in Islandmagee, were married in Carlingford, Co Louth, on August 25.

And following a honeymoon in Italy, they are back at work with The Gobbins tours up and running as Covid pandemic restrictions ease.

It has been a very busy period for the pair, but with the support of family things ran smoother than might have been expected in these challenging times.

Anne said: “Having been cancelled and re scheduled due to Covid, it was a very small ceremony. The wedding was originally meant to be the 12th of May - my partner’s birthday - but then with lockdown that was postponed. Then as it was being held just over the border in Carlingford and it was such a small do, it was able to go ahead in August.

“It was held in Ghan House - a beautiful old house with gorgeous restaurant. It was easy enough to organise as I am very easy going and so is Paul, the owner of the house. Plus, I got all my family to do the usual wedding jobs

“My daughter made the cake which looked amazing. My other daughter did hair and make-up. And my sister-in-law did the photos. But that really did take a pile of stress out of it all.”

The only problem, if you could call it that, was the weather.

Family helped out with the event including creating an amazing cake.

“It rained all day apart from 20 minutes right after the service when we were able to go out into the garden for our champagne reception and live jazz player. He was class.”

And now it is back to porridge for Anne, who took over the tender at the Gobbins Cafe just over a year ago (read here).

“But I am very grateful as all the locals in the area have been fantastic supporting me and now that the tours are up and running there is a bit more buzz about the place.”

Another event is causing a stir too - the Antrim Coast Half Marathon this Saturday with an elite field including four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Mo Farah. It has been a topic of conversation around the area, though the organisers have stressed the event should be watched from home (read here).

A small ceremony was held due to Covid restrictions.

Anne continued: “This weekend will be brilliant with Mo coming to do the half marathon. My daughter is marshalling at it with the Larne AC running club and she is pure buzzing. Of course I’ve put myself on the rota for that day, so I’ll miss him, but I think it’s live on BBC.”

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