Reading of Banns in Ireland

Good morning

I am a Parish Administrator charged with helping couples with their weddings whilst our church is in a period of vacancy.

A couple wish to get married in our church on Sat 24 April and the parent’s of the bridegroom live in the parish. Therefore we have no problem in welcoming them to get married in our church. However both of them are serving in the Army, currently stationed in Germany and we have
an issue over where the bride’s banns should be read.

The bridegroom’s banns will be read at our church, as his address is his parent’s, but the bride’s parent’s address is in Northern Ireland and she has been told the following:
‘I contacted Reverend Nesbitt at Bangor Abbey (Church of Ireland) where my father and step mother live. This is the home address that I have registered with the Army. He told me that Banns are no longer read in Northern Ireland, and instead those wishing to marry in church are required to apply for a license and that because I am not actually
resident there for the majority of the time that I would have been unable to have my Banns read there anyway.’

Can you suggest any ways we can resolve this issue, as the banns really need to be read in February?

Many thanks

Graham Dove
Parish Administrator