Biddy Early, recognised as “Clare’s sagacious lady”, was a reputed mystic and healer, and some even claimed her to be a witch. She passed away a century and a half ago today, on April 22, 1874. Frances Clarke, the author of her entry in the Dictionary of Irish Biography, observed that even after her death, despite her fame, much about her remains unknown. The numerous tales recounted about her, part of an established oral tradition, are challenging to authenticate. Meda Ryan and Edmund Lenihan have penned books centred on her life based on discussions with individuals whose forebears were either acquainted with her or had heard of her.
Biddy was likely born in 1798 in Faha, Co Clare, to John Thomas Connors and Ellen Early, a destitute agricultural family. Although records are inconsistent, she appeared to serve as a maidservant, potentially in both Feakle and Kilbarron, under the employment of either a landlord or a physician, or potentially both. One reference (womensmuseumofireland.ie) indicates that both of her parents had expired before she turned 16. Her mother had imparted her knowledge of herbal remedies prior to her passing, which became the bedrock of Biddy’s renown.
Interestingly, she allegedly predicted the death of a landlord she either worked for or leased land from. When this incident transpired, it affirmed her clairvoyant prowess. She established a life in Kilbarron, where she spent the majority of her lifetime. The countryside setting in which she resided was steeped in superstitions, with pishogues being employed to inflict misfortune on others.
With limited access to professional medical care, people would turn to her to relieve them from curses as well as heal various sicknesses. Utilising her understanding of local flora for medicinal purposes, she was able to provide effective remedies. It’s worth noting that during her time, many were unable to utilise medical services due to their high costs. As highlighted by a source, traditional woman healers offered solutions for pain, inflammation and digestive problems which are still relevant in today’s pharmacology.
A source from clarelibrary.ie noted that a well located next to her cottage in Kilbarron was believed to possess miraculous abilities. If a person drank the water with her permission, it reputedly had restorative properties. In the rural Irish community of that era, where domestic animals played a crucial role in the economy, the loss of a cow, pig, or workhorse could lead to dire financial consequences.
Veterinary care was either scarce or excessively pricey. As a result, individuals like her would be asked to treat ill animals, often using the water from her well or her herbal concoctions for curing the creatures.
As per the folklore, she might have married six times, but verification is problematic. A minimum of three marriages seems more plausible. Her first husband is believed to have been a man named Pat O’Malley from Kilbarron with whom she had a daughter. His life, however, was cut short within a few years of their marriage. Her second husband was Tom Flannery from Carrowroe, who died tragically when their only son was eight years old.
It’s believed that she never sought monetary compensation for her services. Her remuneration often comprised of poitín (or alternate alcoholic beverages) or food. The premature passing of her husbands is generally attributed to alcohol misuse.
Notably, apart from her healing skills, she was also known for her hospitality. She would often open her cottage to travellers, providing them with food and drink. However, her unfavourable relationship with the authorities led her to confrontations with landlords, the police, and the church.
There is a tale that after the passing of Tom Flannery, her landlord sought to displace her. However, on the eve of her removal, Tom’s spirit purportedly made an appearance in her dreams, instructing her to tell the officers and bailiff coming the following day to “stay where you are”. As soon as she voiced these words the next day, the ones intending to evict her found themselves unable to move for two hours until she decided to free them, causing them to run away in fear.
She often experienced confrontations with the priests in the area and stood trial for accusations of witchcraft at Ennis court in 1865, but no one came forward to testify against her leading to the case being dismissed. Later, in the year 1869, she became the wife of Thomas Meaney, a man approximately half her age, but he tragically died the following year.
Her own death came later in 1874, due to destitution, and she was laid to rest in the graveyard of Feakle church. Nowadays, her former home in Kilbarron stands as a dilapidated and overgrown ruin.