Grainne Seoige has said that living under strict lockdown rules in South Africa with her husband had made her feel like her wedding was a "lifetime ago".
The Irish journalist and presenter got married to partner Leon Jordaan in December 2019 after an eight year relationship.
They are currently living in South Africa, where they run a diamond jewellery business.
Speaking about her Kildare wedding on The Today Show with Maura and Daithi, she said: “It was such an intimate occasion.
"You couldn’t have that now, you just wouldn’t be able to have that kind of occasion, so we were fortunate to have our wedding when we did.”
With regard to being in lockdown with your partner, she said: “It is a challenge isn’t it? It’s not like you can escape to the pub if you need it or go and meet the girls for lunch if you need it or whatever it is that you need.”
Seoige acknowledged the difference in the severity of lockdown between South Africa and Ireland.
She said: “We weren’t allowed to leave the house at all. I know in Ireland you had this, for a long time, two kilometre radius in which you can exercise.”
“They’ve just sort of relaxed things ever so slightly in the last week so we have a little bit more freedom than we had, but it was very tough for a while.”
Seoige admits she struggled with being unable to get out of the house for even a breath of fresh air.
She felt awful for her dogs as well, who were unable to go outside for a walk during the severe lockdown period.
She added: “All dogs want their walk everyday and they start to give you the eyes if they don’t get it, so eventually we were allowed to."
She feels she appreciates the ability to bring the dogs outside and get outside for fresh air herself more now than she ever did before.
“Now it’s a privilege to be able to bring them out for a walk every morning.”
