Help deciphering parish marriage register

[Sinann]

So, just to be clear, you are happy that it's the first marriage for James and the first marriage for Bridget, and that the witnesses are the ones married before?

Yes, given the way married before differs on the Dalton Kelly marriage and the other comments about witnesses I think it is clear he is referring to the witnesses not the couple. Why it matters I don't know, you would need to know more about church law I guess.

[Sinann]

Just having a look at another parish, Dalkey, and see several where the fact a witness was a widow or widow is written

[Sinann]

I haven't a clue about Latin but looking at the headings Testes is witnesses, so why would sponsor be written in the comments
Is it spouse?!

[Sinann]

Trying to translate the heading using Google.
Observations if one of the spouses has been converted to the fait or priviously joined in matrimony etc

[GeoffTurner]

It is certainly logical that the church would be more concerned about the marital status of the bride and groom than of the witnesses. And James was in his mid 20s and Bridget was in her 30s, so old enough for previous marriages. But why are they described as bachelor and spinster on the civil registration?

[Sinann]

That word refers to the bride or groom see the second one on this page https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633813#page/108/mode/1up
He doesn't remember his mother's name, groom mother is not listed.

[Sinann]

These priests just aren't consistant
Look at these marriages and compare them to the parish register
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1881/11010/8025908.pdf
The church register looks like just William Fleury is a widow but get to the civil cert and both of then are.
Than have a look at James Curry

[GeoffTurner]

So I guess the question is: which is more reliable — the church record (both married before) or the civil record (neither married before)?

[Sinann]

Need to look over it all again but at the moment I think if either was married before it was James because a widow should be recorded by her first husband's surname, if not in the church record at least on the Civil Record.