‘the priest was on your own home all round the day and you will all this variety of matter. Extremely some horrified me just like the I experienced never heard men and women viewpoints shown inside our domestic before and you will a bit astonished as I would have believe my father was quite liberal and it also hurt’ (Protestant woman within her 40s) ‘I don’t believe they’d function that way, as they had never, actually told you such things as one to to me prior to, but my experience is, not only using my very own moms and dads, however with a lot of anyone else We have known, it is okay right until you are looking at the door’ (Roman Catholic child in the fifties whose mother refused to assist your bring his spouse home below ten years back when you look at the working class area Belfast)
It is true to say that in only a handful of circumstances performed the couple rating total acceptance of the dating correct at the start
One lady which experienced really dilemma at home sooner or later felt like to exit family and move around in together boyfriend
When you look at the discussion individuals would get rid of a risk and that i carry out usually take higher see saying ‘By the way in which Eileen is a great Presbyterian’ and determine them drop-off towards the nearest hole’ (Roman Catholic 
kid in his thirties)
‘I’m certain that try this new bad you can topic which will ever takes place . just how was it planning describe that it to the other professionals of your nearest and dearest, you to their girl, besides performed she leave home . however, she was going to accept some body . not only that but he was an excellent Roman Catholic . I became in a negative state at the time . however, I simply know the thing i desired and you will know which i wasn’t gonna offer him up’ (Presbyterian girl within her thirties remembering occurrences 10 years back living into the a rural city)
Without a doubt these are extremes but many instances will have dropped toward one groups. Despite instances which have been not too high there’s a coolness on the behalf of the household and that respondents believed wouldn’t was establish when they is dating someone of one’s own faith.
‘Well, she don’t say something publicly nevertheless was quite obvious your discover – when Christine phoned otherwise things in that way – she wasn’t one pleased. I think she just brand of expected it might go away’ (Catholic child in the thirties when you look at the Belfast) ‘It was just a wee piece cool’ (Catholic girl with the reception she got away from the lady into the-statutes ten years in the past) ‘farming background and i also spent some time working from inside the Belfast and you may found my better half at the a celebration right here. He had been good Protestant and that i was a beneficial Catholic. I will truthfully claim that you know’ (Roman Catholic girl within her forties surviving in Belfast married 8 years) ‘but I really do contemplate informing my Mum and you may once more it had been, they didn’t matter, you are sure that, she is actually told which was it, there is never ever things created from they, you understand. It was never ever an anxiety otherwise a good problem’ (Church out-of Ireland girl in her own thirties located in Belfast)
Throughout courtship the newest relatives the couple got was extremely important. In several instances the brand new nearest and dearest had been quite combined but sometimes when one partner perform fall into mainly Catholic or Protestant audience troubles performed are present. Instance one Protestant man appreciated exactly how
‘sometimes new banter proceeded a bit too much time you are aware and i think of considering several times ‘God, here each goes once more” (Protestant kid in the thirties when you look at the Belfast)
‘her name is Eileen McIlroy which had been their maiden term, along with Northern Ireland that will be more comparable to good Catholic label than a beneficial Protestant identity, particularly the Eileen. For this reason once we basic sought out so you can-gether a great amount of my buddies instantly believed you to Eileen try a good Catholic.