Witch tourism in Ireland: Dorcas (‘Darkey’) Kelly
Dorcas (Darkey) Kelly has had a myriad of crimes and titles attributed to her; successful brothel owner, evil witch, crazed serial killer, capable of infanticide, scorned girlfriend, wronged woman. But who exactly was this woman who features in the dark side of Irish legends?
So often throughout history and particularly with witchcraft accusations, little is known about the lives of those who were accused before their name and legacy is defined by their violent death. Such is the case with Dorcas Kelly. We do not know much about Kelly’s life prior to her death, so much so that some of her story was written several years after her execution. So everything has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Who was Dorcas Kelly? #
Dorcas (nicknamed Darkey) Kelly was a madam who ran a brothel, the Maiden Tower, on Copper Alley, just off of Fishable Street in the southwest part of Dublin. Having retired from sex work herself, Kelly was content to oversee the running of the brothel. Allegedly, Kelly continued to see one of her previous clients, Dublin’s Sheriff Simon Luttrell. Luttrell was the 1st Earl of Carhampton and a member of the notorious Hellfire Club. The Hellfire Club had the alleged reputation of a space where noblemen could engage in dark and devious acts, ultimately associating the Hellfire Club with Satanic rituals and sacrifices. (The Hellfire Club could have an entire post of its own so I won’t go into too much detail). Kelly had allegedly become pregnant with Luttrell’s child. Luttrell, who earned himself the nickname the ‘King of Hell’, denied Kelly any financial support to raise the unborn child. He then accused Kelly of witchcraft. Depending on what story you hear, either Luttrell killed the child, or Kelly killed the child. Either way, the child was allegedly killed and its death was associated with a Satan-worshiping ritual. After being accused of witchcraft Kelly was thought to have been partially hanged and then burned at the stake in 1746. There is however, no evidence of such an affair between Kelly and Luttrell, no indication of a pregnancy and therefore, no trace of an infanticide sacrifice to Satan.
The legend of Dorcas does not end there.
Recent research into the life of Dorcas Kelly has revealed that she did indeed operate the Maiden Tower brothel, however, she did not die in 1746 after being accused of witchcraft. Infact, there was no recorded accusation of witchcraft or association with Simon Luttrell. Dorcas Kelly was instead accused of killing a shoemaker, John Dowling, on St. Patrick’s Day in 1760 in Copper Alley. Kelly pleaded that she was pregnant, hoping that she would be spared of an execution until she was able to give birth. A group of matrons examined Kelly and gave their opinion that she was not pregnant. Kelly was found guilty and sentenced to be burned.
On January 7th 1761 Kelly was executed by partial hanging and then burned at the stake on Gallows Road (which is now known as Baggot Street) in front of onlookers. Interestingly at the time, women were both partially strangled then burned, whereas men who were guilty of murder were just hanged, without being burned at the stake.
After her violent death, a number of sex workers brought Kelly’s remains back to Copper Alley and held a wake for their madam at the Maiden Tower before a riot broke out in Copper Alley, with thirteen of sex workers being arrested for disorderly conduct and sent to Newgate Prison
On the 27th of August 1788, almost 30 years after Kelly’s execution, a newspaper stated that Kelly’s house was searched and authorities allegedly found five male corpses hidden within the vaults. This allegation does not appear in any substantiated accounts of Kelly’s life. Further, after Kelly’s death, there was an increased effort to prosecute sex workers. It is therefore not unreasonable to assume that Kelly, as a previous sex worker and brothel owner, had her reputation tarnished by the media and legal system at the time at every opportunity, in life and in death.
Inside Darkey Kelly’s on Fishamble Street #
I took a trip to Darkey Kelly’s restaurant & bar last month and was greeted by a large painted sign that told an inaccurate account of Kelly’s story. I took a seat with a friend and we had lunch. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed as it was the early afternoon before the crowds entered that night to listen to the live Irish music that was taking place. There were mostly tourists inside and I couldn’t help but wonder what made them choose Darkey Kelly’s as their lunch time venue. Was it the location? The choices on the menu? (the vegan burger is lovely, it has to be said) The welcoming and friendly staff? The dark and morbid history? The possibility of being in the same location as a historic witch and/or serial killer? Or a combination of all of the above?
Final thoughts #
Dorcas Kelly was a madam who was found guilty of murder. Instead of using the case of Kelly as an example of how sex workers have been largely ignored throughout history, how women have been framed as evil baby-killing witches, or the sexism evident in Ireland even down to public executions, the story of ‘Darkey Kelly’ has been transformed into a legend that has been repackaged for those of us who enjoy the more morbid side of folklore.
The legend of Darkey Kelly is discussed on ghost tours of Dublin and people can visit the Darkey Kelly pub on Fishable Street where they are greeted by a large painted sign sharing the inaccurate account of Kelly’s story. Although this has entertainment purposes and can increase tourism, it is important to simultaneously uncover the stories of the individuals behind the legends. Often the figures at the centre of these stories have lived lives and experienced pain more shocking than any ghost tale.
Dorcas Kelly was not a witch. She did not commit infanticide and it is unlikely she was a serial killer. She was a woman living in 18th century Ireland, engaged in one of the oldest professions we have seen. Kayleigh Donaldson said it best when she wrote “history has yet to fully reclaim and pay its dues to the sex workers of the past. We still find it easier and more palatable to sell them to the world as witches rather than purveyors of the oldest profession. Darkey Kelly may not have been a witch, a serial killer, or a master criminal, but she is one of many women wronged by our shoddy reportage and understanding of the past.”