
Not wanting to be outdone by the Beckhams, I decided we should mark our anniversary
And it's often triggered by life's milestones and challenges: children's birthdays, school summer holidays and the end of another
academic year
; a child finishing school altogether; a
Leaving Cert
holiday and the tortured helplessness felt at home while himself is living his best life – and even remembering to wear factor 50 sunscreen, after all; watching the price of chocolate increase; the inability to find a pair of decent-fitting jeans in this post-skinny jeans era.
Who am I? What am I doing with my life? How the hell did I get here?
These are life's big questions that I ask of myself more frequently than I care to admit.
READ MORE
Anyway, the latest thing to trigger me was my 25th
wedding
anniversary. How can that possibly have come around already? I still feel 25, never mind 25 years married, though my right hip begs to differ. But silver wedding anniversaries? Well they're for old people, surely. And I refuse to get old. And how can it really be 25 years anyway, when I can still clearly smell the orange and lemons of Sorrento.
We've never really been ones for marking wedding anniversaries. We were already parents by the time the first anniversary happened, so that trumped the – at the time, seemingly self-indulgent – idea of celebrations. After all, there was sleep deprivation to endure.
And so beyond, on our 20th anniversary, mentioning in The Irish Times that he forgot our first one – because, you know, a wife with an axe to grind and a newspaper column is not for faint-hearted husbands – we've never really made a thing of it.
[
Jen Hogan: It's our 20th wedding anniversary. I wonder will he remember
Opens in new window
]
But this time, I decided I wanted to make a thing of it. After all, the Beckhams, who share a wedding anniversary with us, never miss an opportunity to get the wedding album out on social media. So, not wanting to be outdone by someone who used to play for Manchester United, I decided we should buy some purple suits and head back to Rome and show the children where we got married, for the occasion.
Alas, they appeared to be all out of matching purple suits that day I went to Dundrum Shopping Centre. And, it turned out we couldn't afford to go to Rome either, on account of having a ridiculous number of children. So we settled on Galway, which is more or less the same thing anyway, if you squint a little.
I am not averse to using a bit of emotional blackmail when I need to.
Judge me all you like, I'll probably just use it in a future column. And so, taking no chances in the quest to get all my children together to celebrate this momentous occasion, I lead with a 'more than anything I can possibly think of, for our 25th wedding anniversary, your dad and I would love to get a night away with the nine of us. All of us together again. Are you free next weekend?' text to the one who had the cheek to grow up, move out and leave me with all these boys.
She said she was.
Discussions ensued, between the siblings, over which child would bunk in with which child, largely determined by who was deemed to fart the most (or the least, depending on your perspective).
The van was packed and the Hogans were off to Galway. All nine of us. Together again. Order was restored to my galaxy.
[
The summer juggle: How to work while the kids are off
Opens in new window
]
We were staying at the Connacht, a family-friendly hotel whose claims of which are put to the test by my supersized brood (it passes, with flying colours). A swim was first on the agenda. 'You're coming too, aren't you Mum?,' the youngest asked, giving me no out. Ten minutes after everyone else had got into the pool, I joined them. Because that's how I roll. A woman smiled at me, and I smiled back, thinking to myself how friendly the natives were. Then she gave a gentle wave as I walked past. And I waved back, thinking again 'super friendly people'.
'You didn't know it was me, did you?,' the friendly woman said laughing, as the familiar dread of meeting someone out of context and not recognising them began to set in. I was going to have to come clean. Turns out it was just the curse of shortsightedness, and a world viewed stubbornly in soft focus. To the point I hadn't recognised my own daughter.
The eyesight, at least, is consistent with 25 years ago. We swam, ate, played and laughed, and I even forgot this anniversary made me sound middle-aged.
Because we were all together again, and everything made sense.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Almost started bawling' – Rhasidat Adeleke thrilled after huge turnout to women-only run club at DCU
RHASIDAT Adeleke was left thrilled after hosting a women-only run club at Dublin City University on Tuesday. It was a sponsored event in conjunction with the energy drink brand CELSIUS®. 4 Despite still only being 22, Adeleke has been the face of Irish athletics for a couple of years 4 A huge crowd gathered outside the campus' Helix venue Credit: @rhasidat_adeleke 4 Rhasidat said she 'almost started bawling' after meeting one of her biggest fans Credit: @rhasidat_adeleke 4 The sprinter held a meet and greet with attendees afterwards Credit: @rhasidat_adeleke The run club was, however, free for all attendees with the emphasis on it being welcoming to runners of all levels as it offered various pace ranges across its 5km route. The Dubliner led everyone through a warm-up before they really got moving. Participants were rewarded for completing the run with a complimentary goodie bag in addition to getting the chance to snag a selfie with Speaking beforehand to Read More On Irish Sport She laid out: 'I'm so excited to be back on home turf doing what I love most – running. 'It's even more special to be doing it with my CELSIUS family, and I can't wait to connect with everyone at the CELSIUS VIBE Run Club. 'Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, this is all about good vibes, great energy, and pushing each other to be our best.' It stacks up she's consistently spoken about only wanting to be involved with brands that echo her approach to healthy living. Most read in Athletics The 200 metre ace's times have been steadily improving on the track over her last few outings. Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration On July 19 she clocked a season's best time of 22.52 seconds Her primary focus since the outset of 2025 has been the World Athletics Championships which will get under way on September 13 in Tokyo. On her approach to training until then, she added: 'I'm just trying to stay healthy, motivated and disciplined on the road to the World Championships. 'It's about a month and a half away, so we're keeping our eyes on that.'


Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
BBC denies cutting out Irish language lyrics from new CMAT song after singer criticises ‘crazy edit'
Irish singer CMAT has criticised the cutting of Irish language lyrics of her new song 'EURO-COUNTRY' on BBC Radio, describing it as 'a crazy edit'. The song was released yesterday and debuted on BBC Radio 1 at about 6pm. The first 45 seconds of the nearly five minute song were cut and featured lyrics in Irish. 'It was not my decision to have the Irish language edited out of the first ever play of EURO-COUNTRY on radio,' CMAT said. 'I don't know if it was a mistake or what happened, but that was not my decision. I don't know who edited it out – that was crazy of them.' READ MORE Taking to social media, the Meath-born singer, whose full name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, said BBC representatives were in contact with her yesterday 'and said that they are going to play the Irish language intro, the full version of EURO-COUNTRY tomorrow to make up for it'. 'Not my decision, but they're fixing it,' she said. In a response to The Irish Times, a BBC spokesperson said: 'BBC Radio 1 did not edit the Irish language from this single.' They said the station played the radio version of the song 'that was supplied by the record label'. The added that the station 'has already played the full version that includes the Irish language intro today ... and it will be played again' on two shows later today. The lyrics at the start of the song read: 'Cad is gá dom a dhéanamh mura bhfuil mé ag bualadh leat? / Tá ceann folamh agam, agus peastantach nua / Eirím níos dofheicthe, is tú imithe ó mo shoal / Níl aon rud fágtha sa scátháin / An mbeidh mé álainn mhaol?' This translates in English to: 'What am I to do if I'm not meeting you? / I have an empty head, and a new personality / I become more invisible, you're gone from my life / There's nothing left in the mirror / Will I be beautiful bald?' The song's bridge, which references the spike in suicides after the 2008 financial crash, was also edited out of the radio broadcast. 'All the big boys / All the Berties / All the envelopes, yeah they hurt me,' she sings in reference to scandal surrounding former taoiseach Bertie Ahern. 'I was 12 when the das started killing themselves all around me,' she continues in the song's bridge. 'They also did a crazy editing out of [that line], which I guess is more understandable,' CMAT said on social media.. In an interview with The Irish Times last month, she explained that 'everyone else on the estate we lived in worked in construction, or in shops, and they all lost their jobs. Everyone became unemployed' in the aftermath of the crash. 'Then, in the village I grew up in, there was a year or 18 months where loads of the people I went to school with, their dads started killing themselves because they'd lost everything in the crash,' she said.


Irish Times
4 hours ago
- Irish Times
Barry Sheehan: Parents shadow pride of lions Down Under
As this travelling circus pitches tents across various fields of dreams in Australia, the group of parents who shadow their sons has been forming. A good collective noun tends to describe something about its group. A murder of crows or a host of angels somehow gets under the skin of what brings them together. After the first few stops on tour, the shadow group remains undefined – but the feeling is that a Test week might change all that. There have been six stops so far, including a return visit to Brisbane. Each town has brought its own charms and the supporting cast grows at every turn. [ Garry Ringrose keeps his head level and his hand up for second Test selection Opens in new window ] The shadow show has been mirroring the tendencies of the main event. Cohesion was a challenge at the start, but rhythms and preferences are being learned, and suitable compromises have been found. To resolve some early-day difficulties at the breakdown, the shadows have made a few tactical adjustments – the beer selection for the Test weeks has been confirmed as schooners rather than pints. READ MORE Returning to Brisbane for the first Test without the need for a midweek matinee has afforded us some time to rest and retreat. Shadows abandoned their stars and ran for the beaches on the Gold and Sunshine coasts. Australia's penchant for literal placenames describes these treasures well. A few days of leisure and laundry among warm, bright skies offer respite to those who have been putting in the hard yards. Trading photographs of whales and dolphins, beaches and bars, restaurants and recommendations keeps the group connected. We have had tougher Tuesdays on this trip. An attentive Dan Sheehan in the dressingroom. Photograph: Inpho Brisbane is by far the biggest show yet. The city is magnificent. Its architecture and amenities are like an exhibition of modern art. The transport system works, and the big flow of the Brisbane river is absorbed into city life as it serves both as the backdrop for a collection of stunning buildings and as a main thoroughfare for quick and efficient water taxis. The blue ocean views from earlier in the week have been replaced by a sea of red. The numbers have swollen and are in great form. Every street and walkway is packed with jersey-wearing support for the four nations. This is a considered and tight coalition. Politics and preferences have been suspended. There is a programme in place to govern these weeks and the group is united. Normal rivalries will resume next season. Until then, we are one. On the Thursday before the circus went into Test match overdrive, the shadows were briefly wrestled from the darkness. It has always been that a Lions legend, think a Willie John McBride, Ian McGeechan, Jason Leonard or Ieuan Evans, has been invited to present caps and Test match jerseys – the historical symbols of summitting rugby's Everest. In a break with tradition, Andy Farrell , the ring master of the big circus, decided that the shadows should step into the light and be present for the capping ceremony. It was a simple yet significant gesture. In addition, the lucky 23 who were selected to represent the group in the first Test versus the Wallabies had their match jersey presented to them not by a member of the Lions club, but by a member of their family. In a brief but powerful exchange, few words were spoken. They were not needed. Language has not yet evolved enough to capture the emotions, gratitude, honour and respect that simple hugs, back pats and tear-filled eyes can communicate. The ring master retreated to the back of the room for the entire event. He knows what he is doing because he, too, is an experienced shadow. His smile gives away his thoughts about his squad. Jamison Gibson-Park, Dan Sheehan and Jack Conan arrive at the stadium in advance of the first Test against Australia. Photograph: Inpho The big show was on Saturday night and the crowds rolled up in their thousands. Yellow appears to outnumber red. The groups mix well and create an atmosphere of expectation. The entrance to the Suncorp stadium is via Caxton Street. Pre-match fortunes are being told as bars, food vendors and live music provide the perfect sideshows on the way into the big top. [ Lions Tour: Ryan, Ringrose and Van der Flier makes their cases for second Test and what else we learned Opens in new window ] Shadows like to be in their seats early to get a sense of the place and their team. The warm-up is watched with match intensity as reassurance is sought that your man is in good shape. Over time a tradition of a quick prematch connection has developed. It is nothing more than a wave or thumbs up from a distance. The performer locating his shadow before the show begins. For some reason it didn't happen this time and created a little sense of unease in me. I knew he was in good shape and ready to go, but I didn't want a change in our little routine, which has served us well over the years. I needn't have had any concerns. The Lions were not to be tamed in this show. Andy Farrell's Lions fire the first shot in Australia Listen | 46:27 They were ferocious in their opening act without converting pressure into a big lead. You could sense what was coming, and when, early in the second half, an overthrown lineout was gathered, the Lions roared forward. To a man, they saw their chance and went for the jugular. Speed with and off the ball produced the opportunity. In that moment, the Lions caught the evening's prize of a Test match win. Post-match, we retreated to the darkness of Brisbane. More connections were made. Enough experiences have now been shared to make us a cohesive group. Schooners and congratulations were served, and there was no trouble at the breakdown. Much like the Lions, we are now a Pride. Next stop Melbourne.