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The Burning of Bridget Cleary

The Burning of Bridget Cleary. The Fairy Defense. Context. Irish Home Rule Charles Stewart Parnell a nd Oscar Wilde become Moral lepars . Despite prevalence of the Catholic Church, Irish fairy l egend survives through o ral tradition. Nevertheless i t is relatively innocuous by

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The Burning of Bridget Cleary

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  1. The Burning of Bridget Cleary The Fairy Defense

  2. Context • Irish Home Rule • Charles Stewart Parnell • and Oscar Wilde become • Moral lepars. • Despite prevalence of the • Catholic Church, Irish fairy • legend survives through • oral tradition. Nevertheless • it is relatively innocuous by • this time.

  3. Fairy Forts and Fairy Trees Fairy fort: Vague circular marks that remain in the landscape which are the remains of circular dwellings from the late Iron Age. The dwellings were constructed by pre-Celtic inhabitants of Ireland.

  4. The Story • Bridget Cleary was the daughter of Patrick Boland, a poor landless laborer and his wife • Bridget aged 18, met and married Michael Cleary • Ballyvadlea was a rural community of just 9 houses and 31 persons; the residents were mainly low class peasant folk • Moved together into a cottage built on a “rath”, or “ring fort” as archaeologists now call them. • Monday, March 4th 1895 Bridget goes to deliver eggs to father’s cousin, waits on the doorstep.

  5. Bridget Falls ill • “That is not Bridgie Boland”, he (Jack) declared emphatically.  Later he elaborated saying “that the woman in the bed was a fairy, because one of her legs was longer than the other”. • A doctor is called (Crean) but takes days to arrive. Leaves medicine for Bridget. • Priest comes and performs the last rights for some reason, Michael Cleary overhears this. He also tells Michael that “that doctor is never sober.” • Jack Dunne suggests that Denis Ganey, local herbalist and fairy doctor be brought in. • “Take it you witch, in the name of God” overheard outside the Cleary cottage.

  6. Something Smells Like Burning… • “In the name of God, out with the witch, come home Bridget Boland” • “Are you Bridget Boland, wife of Michael Cleary, in the name of God?” • “Make down a good fire, we will make her answer”.   • “if the questions aren’t answered by midnight, the real Bridget Cleary would be lost forever”.  • “I am the daughter of Patrick Boland, wife of Michael Cleary, in the name of God”.  Satisfied, the men carried her back to the bedroom.   • “She’s not my wife,” said Cleary.  “She’s a deceiver sent in her place.  She’s deceived us all, even the priest today, but she won’t any more.  As I began it with her, I shall finish it with her.  You’ll see her go up the chimney this night, or else.”  

  7. Reading Questions E.F. Benson’s paper in defense of the fairy burners Angela Burke’s account of the trial • Is the case significantly altered by the fact that so many members of the community played a role in the burning? How? Explain. • Do you agree with the decisions of the judge? Do you think we would come to a similar decision in Canada if a similar incident took place here today? • Case law comparison: Discuss another case we have studied in relation to the Cleary trials. Focus particularly on the precedent set in the case and how it would affect a case similar to the Cleary case.

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