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In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we visit the small town of Ballyvadlea in County Tipperary, Ireland, where a horrendous murder occurred in March 1895. In front of friends and family, Michael Cleary murdered his wife Bridget after accusing her of being replaced by a fairy. Today the murder tells us far more about sexism than Irish fairy lore.

Our podcast is an audio guide to the world’s wondrous, awe-inspiring, strange places. In under 15 minutes, we’ll take you to an incredible site, and along the way you’ll meet some fascinating people and hear their stories. Join us daily, Monday through Thursday, to explore a new wonder with cofounder Dylan Thuras and a neighborhood of Atlas Obscura reporters.

Michael Cleary claimed the human Bridget had been abducted when walking through a nearby "fairy fort," like this one in County Roscommon.
Michael Cleary claimed the human Bridget had been abducted when walking through a nearby “fairy fort,” like this one in County Roscommon. WEST LOTHIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRUST(JIM KNOWLES, FRANK SCOTT AND JOHN WELLS)/CC BY-SA 4.0