One Old Biddy You Don’t Mess With!

In the parish of Feakle in County Clare, there are the legends and folktales of a remarkable lady, Biddy Early. Born in 1798 as Bridget Ellen Connors, both her parents passed away when she was very young, and she was forced to make her way in the world as a servant. It was hard times in Ireland, and she found work as a servant working for a local Dr. Dunne in Kilbarron. Little did the doctor know that this girl would become famous for her cures and prophecies. She was a small woman, with good looks that she kept through all of her life, and had three or four husbands, and possibly a son and a daughter, about whom not much is known.

Stories tell us that she came to possess a magical blue bottle. How she came by it is not certain. One version has it that her son won it as a reward for fiddling for the fairies, or by beating them in a Hurley match, or even coming from beyond the grave to give it to her. Other stories say that her first husband gave it to her (again, from the grave) to help her make her way in the world. It was said to be small and definitely linked with the fairies. When she gazed into it, she could see the past, present, and future. Biddy Early would never take money for any of her cures or prophecies, and she would go out of her way to help the odd traveler and poorest of folk. So people gave her what they had, be it butter, chickens, or whiskey. The latter became a bit of problem, because she did not drink over much, and gave what excess she had to the neighbors, which proved to be a lot!

Her fame as healer and wise woman spread throughout Ireland, and many a person sought her council, especially if the matter seemed strange or linked to the fairies. Almost always, she met them at the door, addressed them by name and told them their business! Afterwards she brought them inside, gave them something to eat or drink, and sent them on their way with a cure or insight. It might be, “you’ve built your house on a fairy path” or, “the person has been replaced by a changeling, and I’ll tell you how to get them back.” Invariably, if the person did not believe her, or did not follow her instructions to the letter, they were the worse for it. She had remarkable insight, and was very straight with folks by all accounts.

It was said that she had the second sight, and though she interceded with the “Good Folk” on people’s behalf, she was said to pay a price for this involvement and that the relationship was sometimes rough on her.

The local clergy and authorities had no great love for her. In one story, a landlord told her that she was being forced out within the week. She told him, “you’ll be leaving before I do, both in and out.” True enough, he died in a fire, half in and out of a window. A Clergyman and some men tried to frighten her off as well. It was said that they were frozen in the carriage and to their horses, unable to move. After she had gone to visit the neighbors and had dinner, she came out to release them with a warning to never bother her again. Certainly a magical lady you did not trifle with. But there are no stories where she was maliciously hurt an animal or person.
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There is proof that in 1865 she was charged with witchcraft at court in Ennis, but at the time of the hearing, strangely, no one would (or possibly could) speak against her. She was released for “lack of evidence.” When she passed away in April 1874, it was said that a friendly priest was given the magic blue bottle by her and he took it and tossed it into Kilbarron Lake, per her instructions.

From that time to this, there have been many who have looked for the blue bottle of Biddy Early. Now in Inagh, Ennis, County Clare, there is Biddy Early pub and brewery that celebrates her stories by producing a variety of “Biddy” Beers in her honor.

I hope for their sake the quality is good, because some her “friends” might still be around. If you go to Clare take the time to look into some of the local sights and legends of this interesting lady! Remember to share your personal and family stories, and may they all be Legendary.

—Slainte, True