Alzheimer Society of Ireland release video of couple affected by Alzheimer’s renewing their vows
On this World Alzheimer’s Day 2023, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) has released a video featuring Dublin couple Bríd and Vincent Kelly’s vow renewal. Bríd, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease and her primary carer Vincent celebrated 60 years of marriage with a ceremony at The ASI’s Curlew Road Day Care Centre in Drimnagh on September 15.
Brid has attended Curlew Road for several years, and the Centre has greatly supported the couple throughout their journey with dementia.
Family, friends, fellow Curlew Road Service users and their carers, and ASI Staff attended the ceremony.
The ceremony paid tribute to their original wedding day, which took place in Rathfarnham Church in Dublin on September 16, 1963. Bríd, originally from Monaghan, and Vincent, from Dublin, met in the winter of 1960 through Vincent’s younger sister; Vincent says Brid’s blue eyes and smile stood out "above everything else." After a few more chance encounters, Vincent asked Brid out later the following year, and the rest, he says, is "history." The couple went on to have five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
For Vincent, love means giving: “Love to me; love is giving. Bottom line.” He believes the key to a long marriage is ‘talking and listening.’
Rather than wedding gifts, he encourages well-wishers to donate to The ASI’s Curlew Road Day Care Centre in Dublin, which has made a significant difference in their lives.
"Brid enjoys being at the Centre; she loves the music and learning new songs. Everyone I have come into contact with at The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is exceptional, and we want to give back to Curlew Road Daycare Centre for all the support they have given us," Vincent says.
The ASI Manager for Curlew Road Day Care, Noel Quilantang, and his team worked hard to ensure the event was special. It was a community effort, with local businesses also generously lending their support.
He said: "We're so thankful to everyone who has supported the event and for all the donations so far; this means so much to us and Bríd and Vincent."
Noel, who took on the wedding coordinator and florist role for the event, says the Centre strives to create ‘meaningful experiences’ for service users and their families.
Speaking ahead of the vow renewal he said: “This wedding celebration is not just about reliving cherished memories; it’s a chance for the Kelly family to make new ones. We want to create a day that will remain in Brid and Vincent’s hearts. Having Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia doesn’t mean you can’t experience new things; you can still find joy and togetherness by being in the present,” he says.
“Despite the challenges posed by Brid’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, their commitment to one another remains unshakable. They’re a lovely couple, and we are so grateful they marked this milestone by helping to raise funds for Curlew Road Daycare Centre, from which our service users will greatly benefit. It was a fantastic day for their friends, family, and our service users, maybe even the wedding of the year!”
World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise dementia awareness and challenge stigma each year, culminates across Ireland in the annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, proudly supported by Payzone, which will take place in over 30 locations nationwide this Sunday, September 24. The event gives families, friends and those living with Dementia the opportunity to come together, honour, celebrate and raise funds for the vital support services that The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides across Ireland. Find a walk near you and register today at www.memorywalk.ie or donate now by visiting alzheimer.ie/
An estimated 64,000 people live with dementia in Ireland. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia.
For more information or to contribute to Brid and Vincent's vow renewal ceremony fundraising efforts, please visit justgiving.com/page/bridandvincent