County Derry couple set to celebrate 60 years of marriage

September 9 2024 sees a significant milestone for George and Annie McGuinness as they celebrate 60 years of marriage.

Having met at a dance in the early 1960’s in Boleran, George plucked up the courage to ask Annie for a dance.

Then followed other dances where they met up, Annie chaperoned (as it was in those days), by her elder brothers. 

They became more acquainted and after George asked permission to walk Annie home, their relationship blossomed. 

ABOVE: George and Annie McGuinness pictured during their courtship.

Without house phones or the ever present mobile phones we have now, contact was made by Annie sending messages with her neighbour to the forestry where he worked with George. 

Annie then moved to England to live with her elder sister, leaving George behind working.

However they managed to keep their relationship alive by writing to each other. 

At Christmas, Annie posted a gift to George to be sure he knew they were still a couple.

Returning to Ireland after eight months for a short time, George and Annie discussed the future. 

They moved back to Wolverhampton, where Annie once again lived with her sister and George took lodgings. 

George worked as a conductor on the buses and Annie would often sneak onto the back of the bus to see him, only buying a ticket if the inspector got on!

On August 9 1963 they became engaged to be married, returning to Ireland to get married in Annie’s home parish of St Mary’s, Boleran on September 9 1964. 

Fr Michael McHugh blessed their marriage and told them the next time he saw them he hoped to see a house full of children.

Packing all their belongings into a trunk, they set off back to Wolverhampton to set up home as man and wife. 

In 1968 their eldest son Seamus arrived, 1970 their daughter Louise and in 1974 their youngest Kieran arrived.

In the mid 70’s they moved and settled in Cannock, Staffordshire where they both worked hard to make a good life for their family. 

Making many friends and creating plenty of memories, life had its ups and downs but they remained strong as man and wife.  

ABOVE: George and Annie McGuinness.

In 2014, George expressed the wish to move home to Limavady, so they sold up and moved home to Ireland. 

Annie wasn’t sure about the move but clearly remembered all those years before George had followed her to England, so it was only right that she would return to Ireland to fulfil George’s wishes.

George and Annie are a beautiful couple, blessed with their three healthy happy children, four wonderful granddaughters, Emily, Erin, Jessica, Molly and with the added bonus of a great granddaughter Caoimhe and a great grandson Elliot. 

Their family and friends would like to wish them health and happiness on their Diamond Anniversary, along with more great memories.  Congratulations George and Annie.