Biddy Early

12/10/24 • 49 min

Biddy Early (1798-1874) was born in Killanena and lived most of her life in Feakle in Co. Clare. She was a ‘bean feasa’ or wise woman (literally a ‘woman of knowledge’). She was famous as a woman of otherworldly knowledge and the power to cure people’s ills, whether physical, psychic, spiritual, or even economic.

In more recent times she has been casually called a witch, but that word and concept belong to other cultures. This notion did not really exist in the Gaelic culture of 19th century West of Ireland and it is inaccurate to apply it to Biddy Early.

These stories are told mostly by local people Paddy O’ Malley, Peggy Hogan, Mary O’ Connor, May Tuohy, Rita Flaherty, Kevin Dunleavy and Joe Tuohy, with two from West Clare (Francie Kenneally, Catherine Talty). The interviewers are Tomás McConmara, Paula Carroll and Tara Sparling.Find transcript of the story told by Francie Kenneally here

Many Cuimhneamh an Chláir oral history collections are available in the Digital Repository of Ireland. Contributors above that you can explore in more detail in the DRI are Peggy Hogan, Mai Tuohy and Catherine Talty.

BOOKS REFERRED TO:
Biddy Early, The Wise Woman of Clare by Meda Ryan

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
‘Sí Gaoithe’ (fairy wind): A mysterious strong gust of wind that seems to whip up from nowhere on an otherwise fine day. Said to be caused by the fairies.
Baker’s Bread: Bread bought in a shop (yeasted), rather than made at home (unleavened).
‘Terrible Make Way’: A big fuss.
Piseogs: A form of folk magic, always malevolent. Performed to cause misfortune to someone, such as burying an animal carcass on someone's land.
Series 2 of The Clare Oral History Podcast is supported by The Ireland Funds
Follow Cuimhneamh an Chláir on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn

BOOKS REFERRED TO:
Biddy Early, The Wise Woman of Clare by Meda Ryan

Previous Episode

Supernatural

Supernatural experiences abound in Irish Folklore. The veil is thin between the concrete world and the other dimensions especially in the dark part of the year. The stories are told by Teresa Flynn from Mountshannon, Paddy Murphy, Joe Jack Sexton and Martin Walsh from Mullagh, John Hastings from Quin, Bridie Mahony from Moughna, Peggy Hogan from Feakle, and Sean Crowe from Broadford.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Banshee or 'Bean sí' a female spirit in Irish and other folklores whose appearance or wailing warns of impending death
'Cóiste bodhar' or Death Coach: a harbinger of death.
'Habit': Attire for dead person, similar to monk's habit. Sold in local shops. A plenary indulgence (Catholic faith) was gained if the hand of the dying person was put through the sleeve of the habit before they died.
'Ragairne' / 'going on ragairne': night visiting to neighbours' houses
'Piseogs': A form of folk magic, always malevolent. Performed to cause misfortune to someone, such as burying eggs or an animal carcass on someone's land.
'Making a churn': making butter
'Scillanes': seed potatoes
'Sock of the plough': metal part of a plough
'Bittling': a way of washing clothes in the river by slapping them on a wooden block (a bittle). This sound was offered as an explanation for the handclap sometimes heard when the Banshee appeared.
Series 2 of The Clare Oral History Podcast is supported by The Ireland Funds
Follow Cuimhneamh an Chláir on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn