Biddy Early: The Wise Woman of Clare

by Meda Ryan

Arguments still persist as to whether Biddy was a witch or a person of God, because she possessed powers and natural gifts beyond the comprehension of those who knew her personally. To this day, the very mention of her name in any part of Ireland, especially County Clare, releases an astonishing flood of stories, cures, prophecies, warnings and broken spells.

Genres: Ireland, Irish Literature, Folklore

114 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

MEDA RYAN, historian and author, is a native of West Cork and now lives in Ennis, Clare; she has participated in television and radio documentaries and has had articles published in a wide variety of history magazines and journals, plus national and local newspapers.
She was was widowed when her Husband, Donal Ryan, passed away in Ennis, Clare in 2013, who was also a native of Cork.

Ryan developed a strong interest in the Irish revolutionary period, and interviewed many veterans of the old IRA. For this reason, she has a huge amount of respect for these individuals and famously was involved in a dispute with Canadian historian Peter Hart on IRA Commandant Tom Barry. This prompted Ryan to write an extended biography of Tom Barry. Her fist Biography of Tom Barry, The Tom Barry Story was written in 1982 for the Mercier Press. Following the dispute with Hart, in 2003 She wrote her extended Biography entitled Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter

Her published books include Tom Barry: IRA Freedom Fighter; The Day Michael Collins Was Shot; Liam Lynch: The Real Chief and Michael Collins and the Women Who Spied for Ireland.

Reviews

[Araminta Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book after I learned that my favorite author, Terry Pratchett, used her folklore to base my two favorite characters: Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax from the Discworld series. After reading this book I now completely understand how Biddy came to manifest in the lascivious old widower, Nanny Ogg, and the battleax, Granny Weatherwax. I loved learning this. I wish there was more information on Biddy Early to read. I found only one other book on the subject.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange little book about a legendary healer/witch in the West of Ireland. Ponderously notated, and oddly written. A short book; a quick read.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like another reviewer, I find elements of this book a little strange. Initially I thought it was directed at a younger readers, but although it is easily read, this is not the case. The author has done enormous research,but the topic deserves something more. Lack of editing let it down badly, for example on page 27, a sentence is not finished, which is a shame.

[Pixie TreeLeaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biddy Early was a real person. One who I'm drawn to learning about. I'm happy with how the few books about her each have some of the same stories but also a few new ones. It might not be your jam but it's definitely mine.