Many years ago I heard a song by Harry Chapin called Tangled Up Puppet which he wrote about his daughter growing up. At the time our eldest daughter Niamh was a toddler, stumbling around trying to find her feet, her voice, and that piece of scone that fell to the floor. Her growing up and being an adult was very far from our minds.

But a few months ago while thinking about my speech for her wedding I went in search of the song. It gave me the perfect line to include in my speech: ‘I have watched you take shape from a jumble of parts and find the grace and form of a fine work of art’.

I looked at her as I said those words and knew that Harry had sung what I couldn’t articulate. She truly has grown into a fine work of art. Not just because she looked so beautiful that day but because she has grown into a beautiful, kind, generous, independent person.

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The day before the wedding a friend asked me if I was giving Niamh away. I know it’s only an expression but I never felt I was giving her away. Rather, I felt I walked with her, up the aisle, hand in hand towards the man she loved and who I knew loved her. As a parent knowing your children are loved really is the greatest gift.

Was I emotional saying those words? Absolutely. In fact I think whatever mascara the make-up person used should win an award for staying on my lashes despite numerous bouts of emotion.

The wedding itself was such craic. It was a wonderful combination of family and friends, many of whom had travelled from the US where she and her now husband Dan live. In fact some guests had actually got their passports for the first time to travel to Europe for the wedding. Now that’s friendship.

I could share with you all that happened over the few days. What we wore, what we ate, the music we danced to. But for me, what will stay with me forever was the time I spent with Niamh that day.

We started the day with hair and make-up. Sitting there as someone tried to put manners on my curly mop I watched another woman brush Niamh’s beautiful long hair. That was my role for many, many years. I almost wished we could go back to those childhood years and stay in that bubble. Speaking of bubbles, my youngest daughter Aishling was in charge of keeping those glasses topped up and tissues at the ready, and a fine job she did.

As I knelt down to do up her wedding shoes I was right back in the shoe shop on the corner in Claremorris. She was about 18 months old, running around a little unsteadily at times and she needed shoes

Next up was the dress. She had carried that dress from Texas to Montenegro via London so it alone had earned its frequent flier miles. I held it as she stepped into it. And then I had the great privilege of doing up the tiny buttons on the back. She had been told that it’s easier to do this with a crochet hook so I had brought one of my Ma’s. There were a lot of strong women in that room that day.

I nearly lost it completely when the photographer asked me to help her with her shoes.

As I knelt down to do up her wedding shoes I was right back in the shoe shop on the corner in Claremorris. She was about 18 months old, running around a little unsteadily at times and she needed shoes. The shop assistant tried to put them on her but she was having none of it. I knelt down then as I did on her wedding day and closed the buckles. While her wedding shoes were far prettier and definitely a different size, in my heart I was still helping my little girl.

And then she was ready. My Niamhy was a beautiful bride, ready for the next stage of her life. I held her hand as we walked together up the aisle towards Dan. I won’t share what he replied when I whispered to him “you’d better mind my Niamhy” but he’d better keep the promise he made!

And how do I know Niamh loves Dan? Well she said marrying him was the best day of her life.

Yes, even better than standing in Croke Park on 26 July when Mayo won the All-Ireland.