Mary Ellen was born on the 21st of February 1896 to Terence and Maggie McCorry.

She grew up in Correvan in the district of Holywell in Co Cavan, about 7 km outside Blacklion.

At the time of the 1901 census, Mary Ellen was living with her parents and her siblings Sarah, James and Susan in Correvan

Her aunt Ellen was also living with the family. Her occupation was given as seamstress

At the time of the 1991 census, the family was recorded as living at the same location. Mary Ellen was 15 years old and still at school

Mary Ellen married Peter McCullagh on 30th of August 1923. Peter would have been 35 and Mary Ellen 27.

They married in her local church, in Killenagh

They had five children. The names are given as following in his will: James Joseph, Peter Aloysius, Terence Patrick, Margaret Mary, Monica. Within the family they were known as J.J., P.A, Terry, Margaret and Mona

At some point in their marriage, they moved to Duncrun which is about 7.5 miles from Limavady and about 11 miles from Downhill

Peter was a farmer and merchant. He was killed in a tragic accident in 1934

Mary Ellen's occupation was given as National Teacher when she got married and she was the school teacher in the local school in Duncrun. We think she taught all of her children. She continued to teach after his husband's death although we understand that they sold the shop.

Mary Ellen's children grew up and got married. Jim, Terry and Margaret stayed in the local area, Peter moved to Dublin, and Mona ended up in New Zealand

After her children had left home, Mary Ellen moved to live in Gransha Parade in Belfast

Mary Ellen developed dementia later in her life. She moved to stay with her daughter Margaret and her family

Mary Ellen passed away on the 31st of July, 1974 at the age of 78.

She was buried with her husband in the cemetery of the church near Duncrun: St Aidan's. Her son Terry and her daughter Margaret were subsequently buried in the same cemetery