The Most Notorious Sex Worker of 18th Century Dublin
Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
History Hit
4.8 • 2.1K Ratings
🗓️ 27 January 2026
⏱️ 45 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Dublin in the 18th century was a wealthy colonial capitol, but only for a select few.
Amongst this hugely divided and politically charged world was the infamous sex worker Peg Plunkett, who counted some of society's most well to-do as her clients.
What was life like for most people in the Empire's 'second city' at this time? Did she really flirt with royalty? And what scandals did she get wrapped up in?
Joining Kate today is historian, author and co-host of our sister podcast After Dark, Anthony Delaney, to help us get to know this fascinating woman.
This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.
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Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello, my lovely betwixters, it's me, Kate Lister. Welcome back to Buttwix the Sheeds. |
| 0:07.3 | That's not the new theme tune. |
| 0:10.8 | Surprisingly. But before we can go any further together, I do have to tell you once again and forever more. |
| 0:16.7 | This is an adult podcast, spoken by adults to other adults about adulty things in an |
| 0:19.8 | adulty way covering a range of adults subjects and you should be an adult too. |
| 0:22.4 | That's just to keep everybody safe and snuggily. |
| 0:26.0 | Do you feel safe and snuggily? |
| 0:27.6 | Well, I certainly do. |
| 0:28.4 | Right, let's crack on. |
| 0:32.1 | If there's one thing you notice from strolling around Dublin in the mid-18th century, |
| 0:36.7 | it is the glossy veneer of a well-to-do society. |
| 0:41.4 | Look around you, these impressive houses are standing very tall, very on point, very regency chic, |
| 0:48.8 | with society's finest milling about. But as you can imagine, beneath that fair facade looks something rather murky, |
| 0:57.5 | and what we see before us is far from the full story. Look behind these fancy doors and you will |
| 1:03.1 | see that this enormous wealth divide has created, amongst other things, a thriving sale in sex. |
| 1:10.3 | And one of the most notorious sex workers of 18th century Dublin was none other than Peg Plunkett. |
| 1:17.5 | Try saying that five times fast. |
| 1:19.5 | Hers is a vibrant but tragic story and we know all about it because Pegg was kind enough to write her memoirs. |
| 1:26.5 | Are you ready to find out more? |
| 1:27.8 | Well, I know I am. |
| 1:54.4 | I'm. Hello and welcome back to Petwix the Sheets, the history of sex scandal and society with me, Kate Lister. |
| 2:00.0 | As you well know, listeners, you don't have to ask me twice to explore the life of one of history's most famous sex workers. |
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