Short film on Bridget Cleary to be shown at Watergate in Kilkenny

Bridget is a new short film written by Cloonen natives, Anne Williamson and Brian Clancy and is performed by The Fionn MacCumhaill Players.

Filmed by Diceman Productions in Kilkenny this short film has sold out all previous venues. The film tells the story of Bridget’s final days and her murder.

Bridget Cleary was burned to death in 1895 by her husband who claimed she was a changeling. Many stories have been written and filmed about the case that rocked the world over 100 years ago causing uproar in a small rural village called Cloneen in Tipperary. The story became known as the last witch burning in Ireland.

Bridget’s ordeal began when she started to take walks up past the fairy fort in Kylenagranagh close to her home. She was a very independent and beautiful woman who was a seamstress and was well educated, a rare thing for a woman back then. When she developed bronchitis after getting caught in the rain one evening she took to the bed with a fever.

Despite the doctor saying it was bronchitis her husband had other ideas and sought the help of a local medicine man for a cure to rid her of the fairies. He also got neighbours and relations to help to administer these potions by holding her down and forcing her to drink the awful potions amongst other vile things.

On March 15 things finally took a vicious turn and he burned her in the house while her relations watched in horror doing nothing to stop him.

This short film was done in the hope the shadows of secrecy and shame can once and for all be banished from the little village and Bridget's name and grave can finally be marked with respect. She was buried at night with no mourners.

Brian Clancy and Anne Williamson have also co- produced the film. Ann has been at the helm as director of the Fionn MacCumhaill Players for years and she has directed this most recent production.

Bridget is played by Mullinahone native Vicky Maher and the villainous Michael Cleary is played by Clonmel’s John Patrick Morris.

Members of cast and the director will be available for questions and a short talk afterwards.

Bridget will be shown at The Watergate Theatre on January 15 at 7.30pm.

watergatetheatre.com