Ellen Coyne: Like any good Irish family wedding, Simon Harris's big day was about concealing dysfunctional relationships

‘A very special day for me’ – Simon Harris is elected Taoiseach by 88 votes to 69

Ellen Coyne

The venue was a fine stately building. And from early morning, a sense of ceremony was building. Giddy guests and relatives in bright finery with blow-dried hair assembled at the entrance. Bored photographers and videographers stalked around, waiting for the guest of honour.

The weather was uncharacteristically game, with the sun toasting off the thaw of the cold April morning. Had someone had the foresight to put out the Child of Prague the night before? For Simon Harris’s big day, you couldn’t discount it.