Jillian Brennan CEO of Humanist Association of Ireland
Where are you from?
“I am from Stradbally in Co. Laois. I live there with my husband, 2 dogs and 4 cats.”
What is the Humanist Association of Ireland (HAI)?
“Humanism is an ethical life stance. The philosophy is values-based and is defined by justice, reason and compassion. The HAI is a registered charity, which advocates for the equal treatment of the non-religious by the State. We aspire to a balanced, secular society. We are probably best known for our ceremonies service, where we provide a range of non-religious ceremonies, including weddings, namings, milestone ceremonies and funerals. We also contribute Humanist reflections at State occasions such as the National Day of Commemoration and presidential inaugurations.”
Describe a Humanist wedding ceremony
“A Humanist wedding ceremony is a very personal and meaningful occasion. Every wedding ceremony is different, as our celebrants spend time getting to know the couple and crafting a very unique and special ceremony which has been created just for them. Our ceremonies are about the couple celebrating their love for each other and making their commitment to one another, in the company of those closest to them, with appropriate well-chosen words, readings and music in a place of their choosing (so long as the venue is open to the public). Couples can find ways to include their family, children, pets, and their friends in the ceremony.”
Can a couple include symbolic acts?
“Yes, Humanist ceremonies often include symbolic acts or rituals, and these can be an incredibly meaningful part of the ceremony. A couple may choose to have handfasting, which is an ancient Celtic ritual in which the hands are tied together to symbolise the binding of two lives. A sand ceremony is also very popular, where two people take sand from their individual vessels and combine the grains into one. The act represents the joining of two individuals and the creation of a new union and family. You can also involve your children in pouring the sand. There are lots of other symbolic acts to choose from, such as ring warming, unity candles, jumping the broom, a wine ceremony or tree planting. The only limit is your own imagination.”
How popular are Humanist weddings?
“Humanist weddings have been growing in popularity, with over 2000 due to take place this year. The Humanist Association of Ireland is the only organisation which is legally approved to conduct Humanist ceremonies in Ireland. Our ceremonies are all about love and they always put the couple at the centre of everything. Humanists are very accepting that other people have religious beliefs, so everyone is welcome and feels included in a Humanist ceremony, no matter what their beliefs. People who have been guests at Humanist weddings are always complimentary, as the ceremonies are so warm and engaging, and reflect the couple’s personalities and values. Guests find the ceremonies very emotional, heartfelt, and very personal.”
Can a celebrant with the Humanist Association of Ireland perform legal weddings?
“Yes, all HAI celebrants can legally solemnize marriages in Ireland.”
What is the difference between a Humanist and civil marriage?
“Humanist ceremonies are unlike other ceremonies, and you may be wondering what the difference between a civil wedding ceremony and a Humanist wedding ceremony is. They are both non-religious wedding ceremonies but in reality, they couldn’t be more different. Civil ceremonies are legally recognised but are bound by restrictions regarding where and when they can take place. For example, you cannot have your ceremony at the weekend or on a public holiday. Ceremony scripts are usually standardised or with little variation, with the blanks filled in for each couple. Humanist wedding ceremonies are also legally recognised, but they do not have any of these restrictions. Our ceremonies are tailored to you, and our celebrants deliver a bespoke ceremony that reflects the couple’s personality. There are no limits to gender, race, sexual orientation, day of the week or circumstance for the couple.”
What is the cost?
“Typically, you can expect a guideline fee in the region of €400 - €450 plus a €70 charity contribution to the HAI.”
How does one go about booking a Humanist celebrant?
“Visit our website at www.humanism.ie and you can search for celebrants who are provisionally available on your chosen date. You can contact one or more celebrants by clicking on the red contact button on the individual celebrant’s profile page on our website. Once you have made contact with your celebrant and they have confirmed availability, they will provide you with their individual booking link to confirm your booking. We have celebrants available to cover weddings in every part of the Republic of Ireland. All of them can create a unique ceremony especially for you.” www.humanism.ie
