There were two Fitzpatrick brothers who had a butcher’s shop in Rostrevor. Anthony and his bride shortly after emigrated and settled in Birmingham where, eventually, he passed away and was buried. Cassie expired only last year.

Our photograph shows guests enjoying themselves at a ‘wedding breakfast’. From the left are cousins of the bride, Arthur and Terry Quinn, the bride’s sister Margaret with her husband Terence (of whom, stories to follow from the war trenches of Europe!), their daughter Patsy (mother of, among others, Terry McKeown, handyman) now sadly deceased also – and the lady on the right is unknown.

Today you’d be lucky to get your wedding over for less than £20000! Most wedding receptions MUST be held in distant, 5 star hotels (preferably with the word ‘Castle’ in their title!) where guests have to book overnight. They were all more humble affairs in those bygone days.

Cassie’s reception was in the Boat Street home of her brother Paddy (father of Tony McLoughlin married to Kathleen McParland). It was the largest house of their town relatives. As can be seen, some bottles of Guinness would be bought in to toast the bride and groom. A honeymoon ANYWHERE was often an unaffordable luxury and time off work couldn’t be had!

The marriages survived nevertheless.

Perhaps because of, rather than despite shared hardships!