1895, and Bridget Cleary was ill. The physician summoned. The priest read the last rites as Michael Cleary, her husband, stood by his wife’s side in silence. It was the work of the fairies, he was sure. He had warned her not to go to the fairy fort their cottage was built upon. Overly confident with her newfound independence. She was a professional woman–a dressmaker and milliner. She had gotten ahead of herself and now lay in illness. Swapped for another, a changeling. This was not his Bridget, but another meant to trick him.
Natural cures would not cure the work of the unnatural. As the doctor asked Mr. Cleary if he had given Bridget the prescribed medicine, he said he had not. According to Father Ryan, Michael Cleary replied, “People may have some remedy of their own that might do some good than doctors medicine.”
When communion was given, and the priest had left, neighbors and relatives came to the house to argue over myths.
Bridget’s fate resided in their hands.
Like her mother, she had been lost to the fairies. Michael Cleary was certain of this, for she had told him so.
More arguments. More cures.
Urine was tossed at her. Food shoved down her throat.
His Bridget would be grateful–grateful for the care and the food that was given. This was the work of the fairies.
Her feeble body was brought to the kitchen fireplace.
Changelings feared fire.
Bridget feared the fire.
Common knowledge to put a changeling to the fire caused it to jump up the chimney and flee to return the kidnapped. Michael Cleary would have his wife back. He threw the changeling to the ground, threatening the creature into submission at the sight of a piece of burning wood. Her chemise caught fire. The gruesome work was almost done. Michael reached for the lamp oil and threw it at the trickster posed as his wife.
Some witnessed that night would say she was still alive as she burned; others said she was not.
Michael Cleary was found guilty of manslaughter and spent 15 years in prison. Upon release, he waited for her and the fairies to return his wife, Bridget. He had done the work–the filthy work, and he waited for his prize, but it did not come.
Michael Cleary later emigrated to Montreal to live the rest of his life. Bridget Cleary’s life was taken one March night in 1895. Snuffed out not by the hands of fairies but by the beast within men.

1. “The Burning of Bridget Cleary: A True Story” by Angela Bourke

2. “The Cooper’s Wife Is Missing: The Trials of Bridget Cleary” by Joan Hoff and Marion D. Smith