MARRIAGE OF SIR T. GRATTAN ESMONDE, M.P.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 50, 18 September 1891, Page 15

MARRIAGE OF SIR T. GRATTAN ESMONDE, M.P.

{National Press, July 25 .)

This (Tuesday) morning, at the Catholic Church of St. Mary of the Angels, Bayswater, the wedding of Sir Thomas Henry Grattan Eemonde, Bart., M.P., chief whip of the Irish National Party, to Miss Alice Donovan, danghter of Patrick Donovan, E*j. of 4 Westbourne Orescent, London, W, and Pro?more, Trelee, and niece of Sir Henry Donovan, Tralee, was solemnised. As the invited guests only included a few of the immediate relatives of the bride and bridegroom, none of the latter* Parliamentary colleagues were present, and the wedding was of the quietest and most unostentatious character. At five minutes to eleven Bir Thomas Bsmonde, accompanied by his brother, Mr Lawrence Bsmonde, who acted as best man, arrived, and immediately entered the pretty little church. The bridegroom was dressed in a faultlessly-made black frock coat, white waiatooat, and grey trousers. He also wore a white silk tie and a buttonhole of white carnations. Punctually at eleven, Misa Donovan with her father and mother, drove up. The bride, who is a tall and stately brunette, was attired in a plain white satin dress with a long train of the same material, a flowing tulle veil, and a wreath of orange blossoms. She wore three diamond crescents, the gift of ker mother, and carried a beautiful bouqust of white carnations and gardenias. The bridesmaids were Miss Bsmonde and Miss Annette Bsmonde, sisters of the bridegroom, and Miss Donovan, sister of the bride. They were dressed alike in pale grey crepon, the skirts being tastefully embroidered with silver shamrocks, and the bodices relieved with pink chiffon and hats en suite. Bach wore a gold bangle, the gift of the bridegroom. Tne ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father O'Neill, P.P., Kileneeran, County Waterford, who came over specially for the occasion, assisted by the Bey. Father Kirk and the Rev. Father Brennan, of St. Mary of the Angels. After the ceremony a Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Father O'Neill, the service being fully choral, and as tha wedding party were leaving, the church organ played Mendelssohn's Wedding March. Among those present in the church were— Edmund Deasa, Esq., ex-M.P. for Qaeen's County, uncle of the bridegroom ; Colonel and Mrs Walpole, Messrs Murray and Mrs Murray, uncles aod aunt of the bride ; Dr and Mrs Esmonde and Miss Bllie Esmonde ; Mr and Mias Parr, Mr Glyn Smith, Mr Harry Donovan of Tralee, first cousin of the bride, and Miss Wake. The guests subsequently adjourned to 4 Westbourne Orescent, where the dejeuner was served. At four o'clock Sir Thomas and Lady Eamonde left Westbourne Orescent amidst a perfect shower of rice for Charing Cross railway station, en route for the continent. The happy couple will not proceed beyond Folkestone this evening, but will leave to-morrow for Biden-Baden and other fashionable resorts for a lengthened honeymoon The bride's travelling dress was a pretty coßtume of corn-flower blue crepon trimmed witk silver passementerie, and a white hafc with pale pink roses. The presents were numerous and costly. It is not expected that Sir Thomas Bsmonde will resume his Parliamentary duties during the present session .