Ireland's Witchcraft Trials – A Detailed Summary

Podcast Title: Not Just the Tudors
Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Episode: Ireland's Witchcraft Trials
Release Date: March 10, 2025

Introduction to the Island McGee Witch Trials

[02:06 – 04:52]

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb opens the episode by introducing the harrowing tale of the Island McGee witch trials of 1711. She narrates the eerie events starting with the death of Anne Haltridge, an elderly widow in County Antrim, whose demise was marked by unsettling supernatural occurrences. These events included beds stripped by unknown forces, objects vanishing and reappearing, and bed sheets arranged to mimic a corpse. Following Anne’s death, her niece, Mary Dunbar, moved into No Head House and soon exhibited similar signs of possession—convulsions, violent fits, levitation, and the vomiting of pins, buttons, and feathers.

Quote:
"In March, Mary Dunbar accused eight women of summoning demons to possess her."
— Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [02:06]

Introduction of Dr. Andrew Sneddon

[04:52 – 05:08]

Professor Lipscomb welcomes Dr. Andrew Sneddon, a Senior Lecturer in International History at Ulster University, who specializes in early modern society, medicine, magic, and witchcraft. Dr. Sneddon brings his expertise to delve deeper into the largely forgotten story of the Island McGee witches.

Exploring the Background and Context

[05:08 – 07:20]

Dr. Sneddon explains his journey into researching the Island McGee trials, highlighting the lack of comprehensive studies on Irish witchcraft compared to more famous cases like the Pendle or Salem witch trials. He underscores the significance of the McGee trials due to their detailed documentation.

Quote:
"Writing about it became Witchcraft and Magic in Ireland. And through that I found the Nayla McGee trial and it was so well documented compared even to the Pendle witch trial..."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [05:08]

The Unfolding of Supernatural Events

[07:20 – 09:03]

Professor Lipscomb and Dr. Sneddon discuss how Anne Haltridge's supernatural experiences culminated with her death, leading to her niece Mary Dunbar’s possession. Mary’s prominence as an educated member of the gentry made her accusations against eight women more credible within a community already steeped in beliefs about witchcraft and demonic activity.

Quote:
"Mary Dunbar is a member of the gentry, she's well educated, she's convincing..."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [08:17]

Investigation and Identification of the Accused Witches

[09:12 – 16:55]

The conversation shifts to the investigative procedures employed during the trials. Dr. Sneddon details how Mary Dunbar named eight women, who were subsequently identified through detailed descriptions and physical traits that made them easy targets for witchcraft accusations. These women were marginalized due to their poor status, disabilities, or behavior that deviated from societal norms.

Notable Quotes:
"Janet Latimer is said to be of an ill fame, suggesting a reputation for low morals."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [11:57]

"By the fact they look like this is an indication that they're likely witches."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [14:48]

The Trials and Legal Proceedings

[15:12 – 16:55]

Dr. Sneddon elaborates on the legal framework governing the trials, referencing the 1586 Irish Witchcraft Act. Unlike England, Ireland had not adopted the 1604 Act, which made witchcraft a capital offense. Consequently, the accused witches faced imprisonment and public shaming rather than execution. However, William Seller, the husband of two previously convicted women, was later executed for witchcraft and murder, marking a unique instance as the only man ever executed for witchcraft in Irish history.

Quote:
"They’re only accused of harm and using magical means."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [15:12]

Social Implications and Public Humiliation

[16:55 – 23:05]

Professor Lipscomb draws parallels between the public shaming punishments in Irish witchcraft trials and those in Protestant courts in France, emphasizing the profound impact of public humiliation. Dr. Sneddon discusses how the stigma of being accused of witchcraft extended beyond imprisonment, affecting the individuals' descendants and embedding the trials deeply into local folklore.

Quote:
"The power of shame is so great... that kind of public humiliation must have been intensely damaging at the time."
— Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [18:38]

Legacy and Continuing Impact

[23:05 – 28:00]

The discussion moves to the aftermath of the trials, particularly focusing on William Seller's unique fate. Dr. Sneddon explores why Sellers’s story is often omitted from broader narratives of the witch trials, attributing it to cultural narratives that predominantly view witchcraft as a female-associated phenomenon. He emphasizes the role of local historians and the perpetuation of certain narratives over others.

Quote:
"Witches are women... and that narrative of William Seller doesn't fit."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [28:15]

Comparative Analysis with Scotland and England

[30:38 – 36:24]

Professor Lipscomb raises questions about the relatively fewer witchcraft executions in Ireland compared to Scotland, prompting Dr. Sneddon to attribute it to demographic and cultural differences. He explains that the native Irish, predominantly Roman Catholic and Gaelic, had different conceptualizations of witchcraft, often more benign and less associated with the devil, reducing the impetus for severe legal actions.

Quote:
"The cumulative concept of witchcraft in Scotland... is not there in Ireland."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [30:50]

Public Memory and Commemoration Efforts

[36:24 – 43:17]

Dr. Sneddon discusses modern efforts to commemorate the Island McGee witches, including public history projects like exhibitions, video games, and virtual reality experiences. He highlights the challenges in obtaining official pardons due to lingering beliefs and political resistance. Despite controversies, there have been steps toward acknowledging the injustices faced by the accused.

Quote:
"The trial lived on in folk history... they're still telling the tales among themselves."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [19:43]

Conclusion and Future Directions

[43:17 – 49:38]

In closing, Professor Lipscomb and Dr. Sneddon reflect on the importance of making historical records accessible to counteract long-standing demonization. They emphasize collaborative public history efforts to ensure a multifaceted understanding of the trials. Dr. Sneddon advocates for pardons and greater recognition, drawing parallels to similar movements in Scotland.

Quote:
"I think that a lot of people, you know, are still kind of not informed in Scotland about the breadth and the depth of witch hunting there."
— Dr. Andrew Sneddon [48:14]

Professor Lipscomb concludes by thanking Dr. Sneddon and encouraging listeners to engage with the ongoing public history projects related to the Island McGee witch trials.

Key Takeaways:

• Historical Context: The Island McGee witch trials of 1711 remain a lesser-known but significant event in Irish history, highlighting the intersection of superstition, legal frameworks, and societal norms of the time.
• Gender and Power: The trials predominantly targeted women, reflecting broader patterns of gender-based persecution during witch hunts.
• Legacy: The trials left a lasting imprint on local folklore and continue to influence contemporary cultural narratives and commemorative efforts.
• Modern Relevance: Efforts to pardon and officially recognize the injustices faced by the accused witches face cultural and political challenges but are crucial for historical accuracy and reconciliation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Mary Dunbar accused eight women of summoning demons to possess her."
  — Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [02:06]

• "Writing about it became Witchcraft and Magic in Ireland."
  — Dr. Andrew Sneddon [05:08]

• "The power of shame is so great... public humiliation must have been intensely damaging at the time."
  — Professor Suzannah Lipscomb [18:38]

• "Witches are women... and that narrative of William Seller doesn't fit."
  — Dr. Andrew Sneddon [28:15]

• "I think that a lot of people... are still kind of not informed in Scotland about the breadth and the depth of witch hunting there."
  — Dr. Andrew Sneddon [48:14]

This episode of Not Just the Tudors offers a comprehensive exploration of the Island McGee witch trials, shedding light on a complex historical event through scholarly analysis and engaging storytelling. It underscores the importance of revisiting and reexamining lesser-known historical narratives to gain a fuller understanding of the past's intricacies.