The latest single from Annmarie O'Riordan.
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My grandmother told me the story of The Colleen Bawn from a young age..... My nan heard the story from her grandmother.
In the Autumn of 1819, at Moneypoint, on the Clare side of the Shannon were found the remains of Ellen (Ellie) Hanley. Ellie, not quite sixteen years of age was murdered at the insistence of her husband, John Scanlan, of Ballycahane House, Co. Limerick.
Ellie Hanley is reputed to have been of outstanding beauty, and in addition, was of a bright and friendly disposition. She was the daughter of a small farmer at Ballingarry County Limerick. Her mother died when she was six years old and she was reared by her uncle, John Connery.
Soon after she became acquainted with John Scanlan he proposed marriage to her. Scanlan, a young man in his twenties, belonged to the ascendancy and being anxious about the difference in their social position she was unwilling to marry him. However, he calmed her fears and the marriage was arranged. She eloped from the home of her uncle on Tuesday 29th June 1819. Scanlan and Hanley were married in Limerick. The day after the 'marriage' Scanlan and his wife sailed from Limerick to Glin, Co. Limerick on the packet, Lady Frances, to begin their life together. They were accompanied by Scanlan's servant and companion Stephen Sullivan.
Shortly afterwards Scanlan tired of his young bride. Ellie's first language was Irish, and her knowledge of english would not have equipped her to move with ease in the circles in which Scanlan belonged. Less than a month after the marriage Scanlan and with his servant, Stephan Sullivan, planned Ellie's murder. Using Scanlans boat Sullivan took her for a trip on the river. Armed with a gun, he lost his nerve just as he was about to commit the awful deed. He returned with Ellie to Glin. Scanlan plied Sullivan with more whiskey and convinced Ellie to resume the boat trip. In mid-stream Sullivan murdered her with a musket. He removed her garments and ring which he kept in the boat. She was tied with a rope which was attached to a stone and the remains were dumped in the Shannon. Six weeks later the body was washed ashore at Moneypoint. This appalling crime created feelings of horror and pity among all classes.
Both men had by this time disappeared but the full powers of the law were put in motion and Scanlan was the first of the two to be found, arrested and brought to trial. His trial took place in March, 1820. Owing to the high social position of his family, the trial created a big sensation. He was defended by the famous lawyer, Daniel O'Connell, the Liberator. It was assumed that there would be an acquittal as it was felt that one of the ascendancy should not suffer for a crime against a commoner.
Nevertheless, Scanlan was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was taken from the Jail on March 16th, 1820, to Gallows Green, the place of execution at the Clare side of the Shannon. A carriage and horses were procured for the journey of one mile. Crossing the bridge, en route to Gallows Green, the horses stopped, and though the soldiers who accompanied the procession used whips and bayonet-thrusts they could not get the horses to move. Scanlan was obliged to leave the carriage and walk to the place of execution. He was duly hanged.
Sullivan was found shortly afterwards and his trial took place some four months after Scanlan's. It excited almost as much interest as that of his master. He was tried at Limerick, found guilty and sentenced to death. On the gallows he confessed his guilt and admitted that his master was the proposer and that he was the agent of the murder.
Ellen Hanley is buried in Burrane cemetery in Co. Clare. The late Mrs. Reeves, of Bessborough House, which is situated near the graveyard, erected a Celtic cross at the head of the grave. It bore the following inscription:
"Here lies the Colleen Bawn,
Murdered on the Shannon,
July 14th 1819. R.I.P."
There is no longer any trace of this cross. It was chipped off, bit by bit by souvenir hunters.