Broadside concerning a murder perpetrated by Revd Mr. Carroll, Parish Priest of Ballymore

Commentary

This report begins: 'Account of a barbarous, & inhuman murder, committed by the Revd Mr. Carroll, Parish Priest of Ballymore, on the body of a child of 3 years old, also an account of his brutal usage of other woemen' 2 of whom are not expected to live.' The sheet was published by R. Husband, Printer, 15 Princes Street, Glasgow. The Scottish Book Trade Index, available online through the National Library of Scotland's website, lists Robert Husband at 15 Prince's Street from 1825 to 1828.

This broadside tells of an exorcism in Ballymore that went tragically wrong, because it was carried out by an insane priest who was later committed to an asylum. As a result of his violent actions, one infant died and another two were left on the verge of death. Perhaps the most disturbing feature of this case is the unquestioning way in which the accompanying mob assisted the priest in his mad delusions. Indeed, this broadside does at least provide today's audience with a revealing glimpse of the superstitious nature of Irish society at this time (c. 1825), plus it also demonstrates the power of the Catholic Church.

Broadsides are single sheets of paper, printed on one side, to be read unfolded. They carried public information such as proclamations as well as ballads and news of the day. Cheaply available, they were sold on the streets by pedlars and chapmen. Broadsides offer a valuable insight into many aspects of the society they were published in, and the National Library of Scotland holds over 250,000 of them.

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