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About the Project
Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, this exciting three-year project lead by Leanne McCormick (Ulster University) and Elaine Farrell (Queen’s University Belfast) focuses on the sexually deviant woman, the bad mother and the criminal Irish woman in Boston, New York and Toronto.
The project explores how and in what ways Irishwomen were sexually deviant, considering the role of women in the sale of sex, as prostitutes, as brothel-keepers, and otherwise.
The project questioned the extent to which immigrants failed to live up to the image of the good Irish mother and explored the ways in which this occurred. It investigated whether Irish women migrants were involved in illegal practices such as abortion and infanticide to the same extent as their counterparts in Ireland and examined how a perceived lack of familial support networks may have influenced the actions of mothers.
Finally, the project sought to uncover the criminal activity in which Irish women were involved. Research revealed that Irish-born migrants featured frequently in registers relating to prisons, houses of correction and houses of industry. The project examined whether the evidence suggested that Irish women deviated from societal norms to a greater extent than other ethnic groups and explored the extent to which the reactions of the authorities were influenced by ethnic prejudices.
Research Impact
The project has brought academic research to wide public audiences through the creation of The Bad Bridget Experience, an innovative museum exhibition and immersive sensory installation at the Ulster American Folk Park. This public engagement activity enabled visitors to explore the emotional realities of migration, including poverty, discrimination, loneliness, family separation and survival, helping audiences connect with the lived experiences of nineteenth-century Irish migrant women.
The research has also generated significant educational and cultural impact through dedicated community engagement activities and digital content that make complex historical research accessible to diverse audiences. By highlighting issues such as gender inequality, social stigma, migration and identity, the project has encouraged discussions that remain relevant to contemporary society.
Beyond museum audiences, the project has reached international listeners through the Bad Bridget Podcast, which shares the stories of Irish women migrants with audiences worldwide. The podcast has expanded the reach of the research beyond academia, bringing neglected historical voices into popular public discourse and increasing awareness of the complex realities faced by Irish women abroad.
Historical Research at Ulster University
Bad Bridget has reshaped public perceptions of Irish migration by recovering the stories of women who have traditionally been excluded from historical narratives. The project demonstrates how historical research can challenge stereotypes, amplify marginalised voices and deepen understanding of the social, cultural and economic challenges experienced by migrant communities.
