I understand from a native-born Irish friend who is getting married that she had to file notice 3 months in advance with the Registrar of Births Marriages & Deaths (wonder if unborn babies and old folks have to register their births/deaths 3 months in... no, don't go there) though I don't have firsthand knowledge about this. But as far as I know that's just the usual bureaucratic sludge. Don't like the smell of that "not-in-the-interests-of" clause, though; nor the arbitrary power of decision - which also leaves the door to extortion/bribery wide open.

>"Public policy" may decree that Katie and Sean aren't the right sort to marry each other.

Don't thinks it's the Katies and Seans they're worried about. Or the Bridgets or Marys or Padraigs. It's those OTHER sorts of names ...

A friend of mine sings a great satire on Lenihan based on the old 50s song "He'll Have To Go" which I wish I had the words of - the only bit I can remember is the end of the verse:

Excuse me, Brian
But you've been lyin'
You'll have to go

Anybody know the rest?