About this episode
This episode explores the stories of women known as Bad Bridgets who were notorious thieves.
Have you ever shoplifted or had your pocket picked? Well let us tell you about some of the Bad Bridgets who were extraordinary thieves. These are some of our favourite Bad Bridgets, from Elizabeth Dillon who targeted mourners at funerals to Little Annie Reilly who traded on her innocent appearance, and of course the infamous Mother Hubbard with her self-styled clothing. These are women who are inventive and creative in all the worst ways! In this episode, Eliza McKee tells us all about pawning and by the end you will be holding tight to your purse! Written and presented by Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. Producer: John D’Arcy. Episode 2 guest: Eliza McKee. Actor: Siobhán McSweeney. Music: Franziska Schroeder and Catriona Gribben. Artwork: Fiona McDonnell. Podcast funded by Ulster University Impact Accelerator Fund, AHRC. The Bad Bridget project was funded by AHRC with University Ulster & Queen’s University Belfast. More Bad Bridget online: - The Book: Bad Bridget: Crime, mayhem and the lives of Irish emigrant women https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/446640/bad-bridget-by-mccormick-elaine-farrell-and-leanne/9780241994320 - The Exhibition: Bad Bridget Exhibition: Ulster American…
People in this episode
Hosts: Elaine Farrell, Leanne McCormick
Guest: Eliza McKee
Topics covered
- theft
- Irish emigrant women
- shoplifting
- creative crime
- historical figures
Keywords
- shoplifting
- theft
- Irish women
- historical crime
- Bad Bridget
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Ulster University Impact Accelerator Fund, AHRC, University Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast
Books & works: Bad Bridget: Crime, mayhem and the lives of Irish emigrant women
Places: Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh, Co. Tyrone
More episodes of Bad Bridget
- Bad Bridget: S2E6 - The Irish · November 3, 2025 · 32 min
- Bad Bridget: S2E5 - The Revengers (live from Electric Picnic) · November 3, 2025 · 34 min
- Bad Bridget: S2E4 - The Bad Girls · November 3, 2025 · 31 min
- Bad Bridget: S2E3 - The Lovers · November 3, 2025 · 25 min
- Bad Bridget: S2E1 - The Servants · November 3, 2025 · 28 min
- Bad Bridget: S1E5 - The Murderers · December 11, 2020 · 25 min
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