Revisited: The witch trials of Islandmagee

The Isla McGee witch trials of 1711, a dark chapter in Irish history, are revisited through the insights of historians Andrew Stedden and Martina Devlin. The trials began when a local woman, Mary Dunbar, exhibited symptoms of demonic possession, leading to the accusation of eight women based on their physical appearances and social standing. The trials, held under the 1586 Irish Witchcraft Act, resulted in the women being imprisoned and subjected to public humiliation, while one man, William Sellar, was executed after the death of Dunbar, marking the last witchcraft trial in Ireland.

Stedden explains that the societal context of the time played a significant role in the accusations, with the accused women often being poor and marginalized. The trial's reliance on spectral evidence and the biases of the local clergy contributed to the harsh outcomes. Devlin, who has campaigned for the pardoning of the accused women, emphasizes the importance of recognizing their unjust treatment and the need for historical acknowledgment. A memorial plaque has been erected in their honor, but the quest for formal pardons remains ongoing, reflecting broader themes of injustice and the need for restitution in historical narratives.

Islandmagee is a quiet civil parish on the east coast of Northern Ireland.

But in 1711, a newcomer to the area begins to have fits, regurgitates pins and buttons, and suddenly dies. In the weeks following her death, eight woman and one man are found guilty of witchcraft at a local Courthouse – one man is executed. It was the last witchcraft trial in Ireland.

Olivia Peden speaks to Dr Andrew Sneddon of Ulster University, and Martina Devlin, the author of “The House where it happened” about this mysterious event.

This podcast was originally published in October 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.