In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the shocking murder of Bridget Cleary in 1895, which was influenced by folklore and fairy folklore. They explore rumors and speculations about Bridget and her husband's relationship, as well as the belief in fairies and Bridget's illness. The hosts recount the horrifying events leading up to Bridget's murder and examine power dynamics at play. Alongside the main topic, they also include ads for Audible and Liquid IV.
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Quick takeaways
The murder of Bridget Cleary was fueled by a power struggle within her marriage, rather than folklore beliefs or fairies.
Media coverage sensationalized Bridget Cleary's murder as a simple witch burning based on folklore beliefs, overlooking complex motives and power dynamics.
The tragic case of Bridget Cleary exposed prevailing power dynamics and societal expectations in 19th-century Ireland, challenging stereotypes about rural Ireland and superstition.
Deep dives
Bridget's Illness and Psychological Distress
Bridget Boland, a successful and independent woman, falls ill with a cold that progresses to bronchitis and pneumonia. Her emotional state is further worsened by the belief that she is a changeling and the subject of fairy influence. Her husband, Michael Cleary, and his associate, Jack Dunn, begin to take extreme measures, including force-feeding her herbs and subjecting her to physical and emotional abuse in an attempt to rid her of the supposed fairy influence.
Failed Medical Intervention
Despite Bridget's deteriorating health, medical professionals, such as Dr. Creen and Father Ryan, assess her condition as nervous excitement and prescribe medication. However, the prescribed medication is not administered to Bridget as her husband and others turn to traditional and superstitious methods instigated by Jack Dunn's belief in fairies. This includes forcibly feeding her a hot milk and herb mixture, resulting in physical and psychological trauma.
Forced Confrontation and Abuse
In a distressing turn of events, Bridget is subjected to physical violence and emotional abuse from her husband and associates. She is forcibly restrained and burned with a hot fireplace poker, while her husband forces her to swallow the herb mixture. Bridget's pleas for mercy and a chance to prove herself are ignored, and she is placed on a grate over a low-burning fire. Despite her suffering, she does not scream or show signs of pain, likely due to shock and distress.
Widespread Observance and Inaction
Shockingly, numerous witnesses, including family members, participate in or witness Bridget's ordeal without intervening or seeking help. The public is outraged by the fact that a group of individuals can subject a woman to such extreme abuse without anyone stepping in to stop the violence or protect her.
Power Struggles and Tragic Consequences
The podcast episode discusses the tragic case of Bridget Cleary, who was murdered in Ireland in the late 19th century. The main motive behind her murder was not folklore beliefs or fairies, but a power struggle within her marriage. Bridget was an independent and successful woman who didn't rely on her husband, Michael Cleary. However, Michael felt threatened by her independence and sought to assert his dominance. This led to a series of violent and abusive acts, culminating in Bridget's death when Michael burned her alive. The case garnered attention and sparked discussions about rural Ireland's superstitious beliefs, but the true motive was rooted in power dynamics and control.
Misrepresented Superstitions and Legal Proceedings
The media coverage of Bridget Cleary's murder sensationalized the folkloric beliefs of rural Ireland and portrayed the entire population as superstitious and barbaric. However, the truth of the case was more complex. Although the murder was fueled by Michael Cleary's desire for power, other individuals played a role in contributing to the tragic outcome. The trial revealed conflicting testimonies and complicated motives, making it difficult to fully understand what happened. Despite the verdict, the case shed light on the prevailing power dynamics and societal expectations in 19th-century Ireland, challenging the portrayal of the incident as a simple witch burning based on folklore beliefs.
On March 15, 1895, thirty-five-year-old Michael Cleary murdered his wife, twenty-six-year-old Bridget Cleary in their home in Ballyvadlea, County Tipperary. While terrible, the murder was just the last act in a series of bizarre atrocities committed against Bridget, whom her husband would later claim had been taken by malevolent fairy folk and replaced with a changeling.
More shocking, however, was that the barbaric act hadn’t been committed by one man alone, but by a group of rural men, including family.
Was Bridget Cleary really murdered out of fear of fairies? Or had Michael Cleary just convinced himself of as much in order to commit murder?
References
Bourke, Angela. 1999. The Burning of Bridget Cleary: A True Story. London, UK: Pimlico.
Freeman's Journal. 1895. "Strange death near Clonmel." Freeman's Journal, March 25.
Irish Times. 1999. "Burning Bridget." Irish Times, August 7: B24.
n.a. 1917. The Tipperary Witch Case. Toronto, ON: McGill University.
New York Times. 1895. "A with burner sentenced." New York Times, July 6: 5.
—. 1895. "Not witches, but fairies." New York Times, April 22: 4.
Ruxton, Dean. 2016. "The story of the last 'witch' bruned alive in Ireland." Irish Times, November 24.
