Film Adaptation in the Works for Popular Podcast Revealing Hidden History of Irish Female Crime in America
A film adaptation is underway based on the acclaimed “Bad Bridgets” podcast and academic research, which challenges conventional narratives surrounding Irish female emigration to the United states during the 19th century. The project, spearheaded by filmmaker Rich Peppiatt – known for his work on the film Kneecap – will bring to light the stories of Irish women involved in crime, prostitution, and societal defiance in American cities.
The original research, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, began as an effort to move beyond the traditional portrayal of Irish female emigrants as solely domestic servants, wives, and mothers.Historians McCormick and Farrell discovered a starkly different reality within historical records. In the 1860s, Irish people constituted approximately a quarter of new York’s population, yet Irish men comprised half of the male prison population and irish women a staggering 86% of the female prison population. A survey of 1,238 foreign-born sex workers in New York City revealed that 706 - just over half – were Irish.
The podcast and research have unearthed individual stories of women like Ellen Price, found “drunk as usual, with a flaming red feather in her hat” in a toronto court in 1865, who responded to her arrest with a rendition of “Rocky Road to Dublin.” Other cases include Margaret Brown,a pickpocket nicknamed ”Old Mother Hubbard,” who suffered injuries attempting to escape a Chicago prison in 1877,and Lizzie Halliday,from County Antrim,who was initially sentenced to death by electric chair for multiple murders before the sentence was commuted due to insanity.
“It wasn’t all good wives and mothers and nuns or teachers. There’s a slightly darker side. I don’t want to meet those women but I love that we can see their strong attitudes and their defiance,” said Farrell, reflecting on the audience response to the podcast’s second season.
While excited about the prospect of a film premiere, McCormick and Farrell emphasized their commitment to continuing their research and teaching. ”We’ll leave the film up to Rich. He is the expert and he has amazing ideas so we’re really looking forward to seeing how it turns out,” McCormick stated.
