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MRS NOBLEBiddy Noble has no grave, there is no where to leave flowers, no where to remember her. BRIDGET NOBLE. Bridget (Biddy) was born in a tiny stone cottage near Ardgroom in the West of Ireland in 1876. Daughter of John and Mary Neill. They were very poor, but managed to scrape an existence out of West Cork's stunning but very unforgiving landscape.  Bridget's Cottage near Ardgroom in West Cork. Ireland. Although described as slow, and barely able to read and write, Bridget was harassed, humiliated, Kidnapped, tortured and eventually murdered by "Diehards" who accused her of being a spy. Firstly she had her hair cut off in public, this was to act as a warning for what was to come. Some time later she was grabbed, taken to a shed near Ballycrovane pier, tied up, gagged and tortured for a number of days. Eventually she was taken from the shed to a place called Collorus and shot dead. Some say she lies in a shallow grave, some say she was buried at sea. Her crime? "Spying for the British" So here is my question : What sort of secret could this poor farm girl from an isolated peninsula in the West of Ireland really have?  1911 census showing Bridget and her family. What happened to Bridget was a disgrace. My music "MRS NOBLE" and this blog is my way of remembering her. SCENT OF A MOMENT I learned the sad story of Bridget Noble from my Grandmother and taped recordings of relatives discussing the story. The Scent of a Moment I associate with Mrs Noble is the fresh sea air that blows in from the atlantic, across Beara. I smelt it on the peaceful evening in 2009 when I finally found Bridget's little cottage, a sad poignant moment, after a long search, that brought Bridget a little closer to me. Skully. (7th May 2011)  The view from Bridget's Cottage. (the moment I found the Cottage) 
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This is a very tragic story, that unfortunately, is probably one of many of that day. How many innocent people were "murdered" in the name of "the cause" or as you said, for the "horrible" crime (sarcastic) of falling in love with someone who happened to be English by birth. Skully, you have brought Bridget's tragedy to the forefront and have given her the justice that no one else did. You have exposed this crime for what it is, murder. None of us will forget Bridget Noble now. She is forever emblazened in my mind and in my heart. Thank you for the tribute you have given her. She may not have a grave, but you have given her a memorial that will live on forever. You are a man above all other.
They did not have children, which would lead me to think that she was murdered shortly after the 1911 census.
In one of my accounts, they say that she was on her own, that perhaps "he was hunted away back to England?" Skully.
It bothers me that she has no real resting place. She was someone's daughter, possibly someone's sister. :-( How horribly frightened she must have been, alone & facing the wrath of men with no concious.
Skully, Is that census record show that her husband was a cooper (barrel maker)?? Does it show her age as 35?? What is her husband's name on the record??? Detective kicking in!! lol!!
Before I knew about this story, when I listened to MRS NOBLE, I envisioned a warm & humid summer evening; bull frogs, tree frogs and mosquitoes; intensity and apprehension while walking in a marsh.
A curious murder mystery, indeed. I confess I spent nearly 2 hours searching the internet. I found only three links which I have forwarded to Skully. None provided me with ANY information about Biddy’s story. Happy to report tho, that this page came up many times in my search results. Considering the political turmoil in Ireland, I have to wonder if Biddy may have been tortured for a mis-understanding [false accusation] or political outspokenness. If that’s the case, I admire her pluck. Nevertheless, NO ONE should have to endure the reprehensible torture that Bridget Neill Noble suffered. Skully, you did an extremely honourable thing to immortalize her story in song and blog. You are just that kind of wise & kind fine Irish gentleman musician. I wonder if she was there with you [in spirit] that SCENT OF A MOMENT for you. Maybe the fresh sea air was her clue to you about her final resting place? The wind could have just as easily been a land breeze that night. I’ve had a few experiences with ‘spirits’ as an unexplained breeze on my cheek {one actually moved my hair!} In MRS NOBLE, I now hear your curiosity, perseverance & suspense of your research, Skully. I envy Shiv for getting to share some of those exhilarating moments. Additionally I hear various levels of Bridget’s heartbeat: as she fled, was held captive and while she follows you on your investigation. And I hear the ‘Diehard’ military marching. Bless you, Skully and may Biddy Neill Noble now rest in peace.
Skully, I had to come by and read this again; the shocking injustice to Biddy and your compassion to help her find peace simply draw me in. Tonight when I looked at your photograph above: "The view from Bridget's Cottage. (the moment I found the Cottage)" I was very aware of a 'greyness to the atmosphere' that mutes all of the colours: the foliage greens; mountain browns and even the thick bright clouds...all have a gray veil about them.
My Dear Skully,
Have you contemplated your incident with the swarm of bees in your garden? With the summer solstice just four days away and the lunar eclipse... SURE there is some significance to Ireland’s major history, the spiritual realm and the swarm of bees in your garden during the lunar eclipse? Maybe a THANK YOU gift from BIDDY NOBLE?
PS. I tried to post an historic article from "Library Ireland" about bees in Ireland's abundant history. I'll hang it on my Facebook wall at Pam Skully Fan.
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