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Irish History Podcast

The 'Witch' Mary Doheny and a 19th Century Supernatural Scam

Irish History Podcast

Fin Dwyer

Ireland, Irish History, Norman Invasion, Great Hunger, Vikings, Interviews, History, War Of Independence, Great Famine

4.71.6K Ratings

🗓️ 30 June 2016

⏱️ 18 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mary Doheny was born in Ireland in the 1820s. A ruthless, mysterious and controversial woman she gained notoriety in the 1860s. In 1864 she stood trial for organising one of the most bizarre scams of the 19th century which involved among other things raising people from the dead. Unsurprisingly rumours of witchcraft were never far from what was an incredible story. Hear her fascinating but forgotten history in the latest show.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

This is a passenger announcement. You can now book your train on Uber and get 10% back in credits to spend on Uber eats.

0:11.0

So you can order your own fries instead of eating everyone else's.

0:15.0

Trains, now on Uber. T's and C's apply.

0:19.0

Check the Uber app.

0:20.0

Hans Holbein, one of the most talented and important artists of the 16th century.

0:26.0

A new exhibition, Holbein at the Tudor court, showcases more than a hundred works from the Royal Collection, including drawings, paintings, miniatures, and book illustrations.

0:37.0

See the Court of Henry VIII through the eyes of this image maker in this exciting exhibition at the Queen's Gallery Buckingham Palace.

0:45.0

Book your ticket at RCT.

0:48.0

UK slash Holbine. Hi folks and welcome to this episode of the Irish history podcast the witch Mary Duttony and 19th century supernatural scam.

1:06.4

This show originated in research for another upcoming episode on one of the most brutal killings

1:11.2

in modern Irish history. That is the story of

1:14.0

Ridget Cleary who died in 1895, the last woman burned alive in Ireland. That's

1:20.0

proving a hard show to get right, not least because it's wrapped up in superstitions.

1:25.0

However, in the course of the research, I came across the remarkable life of the 19th century

1:30.6

con woman, Mary Dohani, and I thought that you'd appreciate a podcast on her story.

1:37.0

Now in the 21st century when we think of con men or scams, we usually think of bogus emails or phone calls trying to fool people

1:46.0

into handing over bank details. However, in the 19th century, things operated a little differently.

1:52.0

The remarkable activities of Mary Dohani, branded a witch by her contemporaries, is almost unbelievable.

1:59.0

In 19th century Ireland there was still some magic in the world or rather a belief in magic at

2:05.1

least and she exploited this to the hilt as we shall see. Before we set out for

2:11.2

1864 and the story of Mary Dohani, I want to mention my new book.

2:16.5

As many of you are aware, my latest book on the Black Death, 1348 of medieval

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