Two hearts: Minister for Health ties the knot in Co Wicklow

Simon Harris weds cardiac nurse Caoimhe Wade, as Fine Gael colleagues look on

Minister for Health Simon Harris and his bride, Caoimhe Wade, after their wedding at St Patrick’s Church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Minister for Health Simon Harris and his bride, Caoimhe Wade, after their wedding at St Patrick’s Church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

Minister for Health Simon Harris did not move far away from the health service – or the world of politics – when he got married on Friday, given that his bride, Caoimhe Wade, is a cardiac nurse and many of the wedding guests were politicians.

Fine Gael Cabinet colleagues, including his political mentor, Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, along with Simon Coveney, Paschal Donohoe, Heather Humphreys Paul Kehoe and Mary Mitchell O’Connor, came to wish the couple well.

Simon Coveney, Ruth Coveney,   Fionnuala Kenny and Enda Kenny at the wedding of Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade in St Patrick’s Church Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Simon Coveney, Ruth Coveney, Fionnuala Kenny and Enda Kenny at the wedding of Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade in St Patrick’s Church Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Former taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife Fionnuala were amongst the guests, though Kenny's successor, Leo Varadkar, was not able to make the ceremony, but did get to the reception in Tinakilly House in Rathnew, Co Wicklow.

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Caoimhe Wade, who cares for infants in the Children's Heart Centre at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, was driven to St Patrick's Church, Kilquade in a vintage-style Beauford.

The 29-year-old Ms Wade, from Courteencurragh, Gorey, Co Wexford, wore a white veil and white pearl-embroidered, white sequined dress and drop pearl earrings, and carried a bouquet of ivory and lilac roses.

Paschal Donohoe, Paul Kehoe, Frances Fitzgerald and Heather Humphreys at the wedding of Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade in St Patrick’s Church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Paschal Donohoe, Paul Kehoe, Frances Fitzgerald and Heather Humphreys at the wedding of Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade in St Patrick’s Church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Mr Harris wore a dark three-piece suit and bow tie and wing collar, with a large white rose button-hole. One hundred guests attended, including Mr Harris’ parents, Mary and Bart, as well as Ms Wade’s parents, Ann and Michael.

Four bridesmaids

Her sister Ruth Wade was one of four bridesmaids along with Mr Harris’s sister Gemma, Laura Kinch, and Marion O’Brien. Mr Harris’s brother, Adam, an advocate for autism, was best man. The other groomsmen were Niall Brennan, Simon Donohoe and Robert Magee.

Bridesmaids Ruth Wade, Gemma Harris, Laura Kinch and Marion O’Brien  at the wedding of Minister for Health Simon Harris  and  Caoimhe Wade at St Patrick’s Church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Bridesmaids Ruth Wade, Gemma Harris, Laura Kinch and Marion O’Brien at the wedding of Minister for Health Simon Harris and Caoimhe Wade at St Patrick’s Church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins

The couple were cheered as they left the church.

Just an hour before he walked up the aisle, Mr Harris launched an independent review into voluntary organisations’ role in the public health services, led by former top EU official, Catherine Day.

The Health Services Executive congratulated the newlyweds, writing on Twitter: “Congratulations to Minister Simon Harris @SimonHarrisTD and his beautiful bride Caoimhe as they celebrate their #weddingday today.”

Harry McGee

Harry McGee

Harry McGee is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times