Irish Women in Crime: A Dark Chapter in History To Be Brought to Life on Screen
A project initially conceived as a niche academic exercise has blossomed into a hit podcast and now, a Hollywood film. Two history professors' trawl of dusty archives uncovered a forgotten world of female Irish emigrants who ended up on the wrong side of the law in 19th-century America.
Margot Robbie's production company has announced plans to adapt their book, Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women, into a feature film. The movie will be directed by Rich Peppiatt, who previously made the semi-autobiographical film Kneecap. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones will star as sisters who flee poverty and abuse in Ireland to enter a shadow world of sex workers, thieves, and killers.
The filmmakers' decision to adapt this dark chapter in history comes after their book challenged conventional narratives about female Irish emigrants being domestic servants or respectable wives and mothers. The research revealed that Irish women made up 86% of the female prison population in New York, with many facing harsh sentences for crimes such as theft and prostitution.
The stories of these women, known as "Bad Bridgets," are just a few examples of the many individual tales that have been uncovered by historians Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. From Ellen Price's notorious singing of "Rocky Road to Dublin" in court to Margaret Brown's daring escape attempt from Chicago prison, these stories offer a glimpse into the lives of women who defied societal expectations and fought for survival.
While the filmmakers will be taking creative liberties with their adaptation, Farrell and McCormick are excited to see how the film will bring this often-overlooked chapter in history to life. They have entrusted Peppiatt's expertise and vision, hoping that the film will showcase the strength and defiance of these women. Despite being eager to see the finished product, they acknowledge that their day jobs as historians and researchers won't change anytime soon.
As one can imagine, Farrell joked about dressing up for the red carpet – a concern shared by many academics-turned-podcasters turned filmmakers. However, for now, they'll continue researching and teaching while eagerly anticipating the film's release and its impact on raising awareness about this lesser-known aspect of Irish-American history.
A project initially conceived as a niche academic exercise has blossomed into a hit podcast and now, a Hollywood film. Two history professors' trawl of dusty archives uncovered a forgotten world of female Irish emigrants who ended up on the wrong side of the law in 19th-century America.
Margot Robbie's production company has announced plans to adapt their book, Bad Bridget: Crime, Mayhem and the Lives of Irish Emigrant Women, into a feature film. The movie will be directed by Rich Peppiatt, who previously made the semi-autobiographical film Kneecap. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Emilia Jones will star as sisters who flee poverty and abuse in Ireland to enter a shadow world of sex workers, thieves, and killers.
The filmmakers' decision to adapt this dark chapter in history comes after their book challenged conventional narratives about female Irish emigrants being domestic servants or respectable wives and mothers. The research revealed that Irish women made up 86% of the female prison population in New York, with many facing harsh sentences for crimes such as theft and prostitution.
The stories of these women, known as "Bad Bridgets," are just a few examples of the many individual tales that have been uncovered by historians Elaine Farrell and Leanne McCormick. From Ellen Price's notorious singing of "Rocky Road to Dublin" in court to Margaret Brown's daring escape attempt from Chicago prison, these stories offer a glimpse into the lives of women who defied societal expectations and fought for survival.
While the filmmakers will be taking creative liberties with their adaptation, Farrell and McCormick are excited to see how the film will bring this often-overlooked chapter in history to life. They have entrusted Peppiatt's expertise and vision, hoping that the film will showcase the strength and defiance of these women. Despite being eager to see the finished product, they acknowledge that their day jobs as historians and researchers won't change anytime soon.
As one can imagine, Farrell joked about dressing up for the red carpet – a concern shared by many academics-turned-podcasters turned filmmakers. However, for now, they'll continue researching and teaching while eagerly anticipating the film's release and its impact on raising awareness about this lesser-known aspect of Irish-American history.
I'm so stoked to hear about this movie project! 
It's about time we saw a feature film that highlights the often-overlooked stories of female Irish emigrants in 19th-century America 
. The fact that they're making creative liberties but trying to showcase the strength and defiance of these women is super cool 
.
. I think it's going to be a wild ride, especially with Emilia Jones playing her sister 
. The research behind this project is crazy too - did you know Irish women made up 86% of the female prison population in New York? 
That's mind-blowing.
. I hope the film will be a game-changer and not just another Hollywood adaptation that glosses over the harsh realities 
. Here's a quick doodle to represent my excitement:
!
i started thinking maybe dogs are more popular than cats because people just can't resist those sad puppy eyes 
anyway back to the topic at hand i wonder how many bad bridgets were there in new york city...anyway gotta go soon
I'm all about giving a big thumbs up to projects like this one! It's crazy that these women were basically erased from history, but now we're getting a chance to learn more about them and their stories 
. I mean, can you even imagine how tough it must've been for them to leave home, face abuse, poverty, and then end up on the wrong side of the law? It's wild that they were part of this 'Bad Bridget' phenomenon, but at the same time, I'm all about celebrating their strength and resilience 
!
They broke free from societal norms & fought survival, not just sex workers & thieves 
i'm so excited to see how it all comes together! i mean can you imagine watching a movie about these incredible women who were misunderstood by society? they're like the ultimate underdog stories 
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. I hope it's a great adaptation because I wanna learn more about these amazing women 
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. It's not just about crime and punishment, but also about survival and female empowerment 
]
i mean, who knew that these "bad bridgets" were actually strong women trying to survive in a harsh world? it's like, finally, some attention is being given to the stories of female Irish emigrants who weren't just domestic servants or wives. they're getting the recognition they deserve! 
can't wait to see margot robbie's production company bring this dark chapter in history to life!
. i love how the filmmakers r tryin 2 bring attention 2 this often-ignored chapter in history & shed light on the harsh realities faced by these women 
This project is gonna be so interesting to watch! I mean, who knew that Irish women in 19th-century America were leading such wild lives? Like, 86% of female prison population? That's crazy! 
And can you imagine singing "Rocky Road to Dublin" in court? 
. it's crazy that people used to overlook them, consider 'em just "bad bridgets" or somethin', when in reality they were survivin' in a system that was straight up stacked against 'em 