Dispensation granted for marraige

[Miriam_90]

Hi

I have a marriage between Michael Walsh and Mary Walsh in Waterford 25th July 1857 in St. John's Parish. The record mentions that a dispensation was given by Rev D OBrien.

I'm curious why a dispensation would be needed. Given they have the same name I had wondered if perhaps they were cousins? The only other thing I can think of is if one of them was Catholic and the other wasn't.

Any ideas? It's the first time I've seen this on any of records.

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[hallmark]

The record shows the religion of each one.

[aghadowey]

The record shows the religion of each one.

Some databases lists religion of both bride and groom matching the denomination where the marriage took place even on civil certificates (which do not include details of their religion). Have you looked at the actual marriage record?

[josey]

Sadly the scanned parish records at https://registers.nli.ie/parishes/1118 only go up to 1856 for marriages; sometimes the parish register gave details for the dispensation eg level of consanguinity.

[Miriam_90]

I've emailed the parish in Waterford to ask for an image of the original record, not just a copy of information as above. Hopefully it can shed some light on the situation.

Is there any other reason a dispensation might be granted?

[Elwyn Soutter]

Is there any other reason a dispensation might be granted?

Most seem to have been for consanguinity, and the degree of closeness is often mentioned in the margins. Dispensations were also granted for marriages in Lent. I think if you google it, you may find a more detailed explanation. I have certainly seen one in the past.

[Maiden Stone]

Is there any other reason a dispensation might be granted?

Several reasons.
Ottawa Valley Irish blog "Catholic marriage dispensations"
www.ottawavalleyirish.com/2011/08/marital-dispensations.html

Genealogy Professor blog "Marriage dispensations in the Catholic Church"

I have a marriage between Michael Walsh and Mary Walsh in Waterford 25th July 1857 in St. John's Parish. The record mentions that a dispensation was given by Rev D OBrien.

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Was Rev. D. O'Brien the parish priest or was he a superior cleric from the diocese? Parish priests had authority to grant certain dispensations; others had to be referred upwards to an appropriate diocesan official.

[Wexflyer]

Dispensations were primarily granted for
- Consanguinity,
- Time, and
- Place.