The Witch of Islandmagee
In the quiet townland of Islandmagee, nestled along the rugged coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, a dark chapter in history unfolded over 300 years ago. It was here, in 1711, that eight women stood accused of witchcraft—the last recorded witch trial on the island of Ireland. Known as The Witch of Islandmagee case, it is a chilling tale of superstition, social tension, and one young woman’s disturbing afflictions. Though centuries have passed, the story still haunts the windswept shores of Islandmagee, drawing in historians, folklorists, and curious visitors alike.
A Climate of Fear and Belief
To understand the events that took place in Islandmagee, we must first step back into the context of the early 18th century. Ireland, like much of Europe, was still under the shadow of intense religious and social upheaval. Protestant and Catholic tensions simmered beneath the surface of everyday life, and beliefs in the supernatural were widespread and deeply ingrained in rural communities.
The early 1700s were not as aggressively witch-hunting as the infamous 16th and 17th centuries. However, in isolated areas such as Islandmagee, traditional fears lingered. Local superstitions were often rooted in a mix of folklore, religious teachings, and the harsh realities of survival in a world that was poorly understood. Misfortunes such as disease, failed crops, or unexplained illness were sometimes attributed to the work of witches—women believed to consort with the Devil and cast curses.
It was in this tense and fearful atmosphere that the infamous witch trial of Islandmagee would unfold, leaving a legacy that still echoes today.
The Affliction of Mary Dunbar
The catalyst for the Islandmagee witch trial was the sudden and disturbing illness of a young woman named Mary Dunbar. A stranger to the area, Dunbar was just 18 years old when she came to stay with the home of a local minister. Shortly after her arrival, she began experiencing terrifying symptoms: fits, trances, convulsions, and the apparent vomiting of strange objects such as feathers and pins.
Dunbar claimed that she was being tormented by a coven of witches who appeared to her in visions and visited her in the night. She described being beaten, pinched, and strangled by spectral figures, and she identified several local women as the perpetrators. According to her account, these women were using black magic to afflict her, and their goal was to drive her mad or even kill her.
The local community was immediately gripped by fear and suspicion. With Mary Dunbar’s claims aligning closely with popular ideas of possession and witchcraft, and with her condition growing worse by the day, pressure mounted on the authorities to take action.
The Trial and the Accused
Eight women were eventually arrested and charged with witchcraft in connection to Mary Dunbar’s afflictions. Their names were Jane Millar, Janet Liston, Elspeth Thompson, Margaret Mitchell, Janet Carson, Mary Dunbar (not to be confused with the accuser), and two others whose names have been lost to history.
The trial took place in Carrickfergus, just a few miles from Islandmagee. The women were accused of performing acts of sorcery and using demonic powers to torment Mary Dunbar. They were interrogated, and some were subjected to physical examinations for so-called “witches’ marks”—blemishes or scars thought to indicate a pact with the Devil.
The evidence presented was shockingly thin, relying heavily on Mary Dunbar’s testimony and the prevailing fear that witchcraft was real and dangerous. There was no concrete proof, no eyewitnesses to any magical acts, and no confessions extracted. Nonetheless, the court accepted Dunbar’s claims as credible. The testimonies of the accused were largely dismissed, and the women’s reputations were destroyed in the process.
In the end, the court found the women guilty. However, perhaps due to the growing scepticism about witch trials across Europe at the time, they were not sentenced to death. Instead, they were imprisoned for a year and forced to stand in public wearing placards detailing their crimes. For the accused, it was a humiliating and life-altering punishment. For Ireland, it marked the final official witch trial in its long and complex history with superstition.
Theories and Legacy
The Islandmagee case has fascinated historians and folklorists for centuries, not just for its legal significance, but for what it reveals about society, gender, and power. Why did Mary Dunbar accuse these women? Was she truly possessed, or was something else at play?
Some theories suggest that Mary may have been suffering from a psychological or neurological illness such as epilepsy or conversion disorder. Others propose that she was influenced—perhaps consciously or subconsciously—by the community’s religious leaders or personal vendettas. The fact that the accused women were all relatively poor, older, and socially marginalised adds further weight to the idea that the trial was less about justice and more about social control.
The trial also raises troubling questions about belief systems and the role of authority. It is easy to dismiss the people of the 18th century as gullible or ignorant, but their fears were deeply real to them. The Islandmagee witch trial reminds us how dangerous superstition can be when it is legitimised by institutions of power.
Today, the story continues to be studied not just for its historical importance, but as a cautionary tale about the dangers of hysteria and scapegoating—lessons that remain as relevant now as they were in 1711.
Islandmagee Today: History Amidst Natural Beauty
Modern-day Islandmagee is a peaceful peninsula, known more for its stunning coastal walks and dramatic cliffs than for its spectral past. With its sweeping views of the Irish Sea and charming villages like Ballystrudder and Mullaghboy, it’s hard to imagine that this tranquil place was once the setting for such fear and accusation.
For those intrigued by history, a visit to Islandmagee is a journey into both beauty and the past. The nearby town of Carrickfergus still holds echoes of the trial, and the Carrickfergus Courthouse, where the women were sentenced, is a point of historic interest. Local heritage centres sometimes host exhibitions or lectures on the witch trial, and various walking tours offer insight into the events of 1711.
Islandmagee remains relatively untouched by mass tourism, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a quieter, more reflective travel experience. Whether you’re drawn by the dramatic scenery or the eerie allure of the witch trial story, there’s something about this stretch of coastline that stirs the imagination. Standing on the cliffs, with the wind rising off the sea, one can almost hear the whispers of the past carried on the breeze.