LABOUR TD Seán Sherlock tied the knot with his partner earlier this week.
Minister Sherlock and Máire Ní Ríordáin were married in a small ceremony on Wednesday.
Ms Ní Ríordáin, originally from Ballingeary, is the director of the BA course in Mathematics & Education in NUI Galway, where she also lectures in Education.
The wedding took place in the intimate surrounds of St Finbarr’s oratory in Gougane Barra. The chapel holds no more than 40 people when seated.
Minister Sherlock is the first government minister of the current administration to have gotten married during his term in office. Several backbench TDs have been married during this administration.
The ceremony was described as a small affair, attended by close friends and family. The couple celebrated afterwards with a small family gathering in the nearby Gougane Barra Hotel.
Tanaiste Joan Burton sent her congratulations to the couple.
“I’m delighted for Seán and Máire and I would like to congratulate them on their wedding this week. I’m told that Maire looked stunning and I’m sure Sean wasn’t too bad either!
The area around Ballingeary is such a beautiful part of the country and is a perfect setting for an occasion such as this. A great day for all the Sherlocks and the Ó Ríordains!”
Minister Sherlock has been a TD for Cork East since 2007 and a Minister for State since March 2011.