How Mam and Dad first became acquainted, and the story of their courtship, are no longer known to me. What survives is the record of their marriage and a small number of photographs from the wedding celebrations, preserving some of the family and friends who shared the occasion with them.

Marriage Record — 23 February 1954

Groom: John Joseph Doherty
Bride: Annie Cassidy
Place of marriage: Catholic Church of Killinagh, Co. Cavan
Witnesses: Willie J. Doherty (brother of Groom) and Mary A. Dolan (cousin of Bride)

This is the third surviving document identified so far in which Anne Ellen is recorded as “Annie Cassidy”.

Wedding Day Photographs

Left to right: Paddy O’Hara, Eddie Cassidy, Mary O’Hara, Johnny Doherty (groom), Anne Ellen Doherty Cassidy (bride), William “Billy” Doherty (visible at back), Mary Anne Dolan, Annie Doherty (“Coiner”), and Michael Dolan.

Left to right: Mary Anne Dolan, Eddie Cassidy, Michael Dolan, Mary O’Hara, Robert Doherty (“Coiner”), Anne Ellen Doherty Cassidy (bride).

Partly visible at back: Annie Doherty (“Coiner”).

Who’s who in the photos: The O’Haras (Paddy and Mary) were first cousins of Anne Ellen (the bride), on her mother’s side. Eddie Cassidy was Anne Ellen’s brother.

John Joseph Doherty (the groom), was my father. William “Billy” Doherty was Johnny’s older brother, known to me as Uncle Billy, and Annie Doherty (“Coiner”) was Uncle Billy’s wife.

The Dolans (Mary Anne and Michael) were Anne Ellen’s cousins on her father’s side.

Robert Doherty (“Coiner”) was Annie Doherty’s brother and a friend of both the groom and William “Billy” Doherty.

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