Wedding of an old IRA man, Michael Doody, Naas, 1965

Leinster Leader, 30 January 1965

As 71-year-old Michael Doody and his 65-year old bride Elizabeth McGrath, walked down the aisle of Our Lady and St. David’s Church, Naas, after their marriage on Monday morning, the parish records showed them to be the oldest couple to wed in 300 years.

Michael, a retired, postman in Naas, is native of Nurney, Athy. He was attached to the 5th Battalion,  Carlow Brigade,  Old I.R.A., and joined the Army in 1922. He retired from it in 1944. In his young days he was a side-drummer with Nurney Fife and Drum Band, which played in competitions all over Ireland. His bride is native of Naas and was a cook with the British W.A.A.C. at the officers’ mess in Dover and Essex during World War 1. She retired from the forces in 1919.

The couple will reside at the bride’s home at St. Patrick’s Tee., Naas. Rev. S. Swayne, C.C., officiated at the marriage ceremony. Friends of the couple, Mrs. Mary Lagrue and Mr. Willam O’Brien, were matron of honour and best man.