When you hear the word witch, do you picture Salem bonfires or shadowy figures over cauldrons? Ireland’s history tells a more complicated story. While mass witch trials swept Europe, Ireland saw only a handful of prosecutions, among them Florence Newton of Youghal, Mary Butters the “Carnmoney Witch,” and the infamous Witches of Islandmagee. Alongside these cases, legend remembers Biddy Early with her blue bottle and Alice Kyteler, the Kilkenny noblewoman accused of diabolism in the 14th century. Beyond the trials and tales, everyday women (and men) practised cures, herbalism, protective charms, piseogs, and even the feared Widow’s Curse.
This talk explores Ireland’s unique relationship with magic and power: how folk practices blurred the lines between healer and witch, how belief in charms and curses endures still, and how contemporary witches are reclaiming these traditions today.
Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!
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Speaker Bio:
Amy O’Riordan is a queer Irish historian, content creator, and activist whose work brings Ireland’s hidden histories into the spotlight. As chairperson of their local Pride organisation and a youth work volunteer with LGBTQ+ young people, Amy is deeply committed to building inclusive, supportive communities. They are an intersectional feminist and passionate researcher of queer Irish history, challenging dominant narratives through education and storytelling. When they’re not knee-deep in archives or organising community events, you’ll find them curating cultural magic over on The Crafty Cailleach YouTube channel – where Irish folklore, feminism, and history meet with a sprinkle of magic and a witchy twist.
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