Polly of Bridgewater Farm: An Uncovering of an Obscure Irish Tale

Polly of Bridgewater Farm is one of Ireland's best-loved stories. It is a tale of a young girl who is taken by the fairies and who returns to her home years later, with no memory of her time away. The story has been told and retold for generations, and it has been adapted into numerous books, plays, and films.

But who was Polly? And how did her story come to be told?

The earliest known version of the Polly of Bridgewater Farm story was published in 1825, in a collection of Irish fairy tales called "The Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland" by Thomas Crofton Croker. Croker claimed to have heard the story from an old woman in County Clare, Ireland.

Polly of Bridgewater Farm: An Unkown Irish Story

by Catharine McKenty

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20657 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	244 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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In Croker's version of the story, Polly is a young girl who is taken by the fairies on the night of her wedding. She is taken to a beautiful palace under a hill, where she is treated like a princess. Polly spends seven years with the fairies, and during that time she learns all their secrets.

One day, Polly is homesick and asks the fairies to let her go home. The fairies agree, but they warn her that she must never tell anyone about her time with them. Polly promises, and the fairies take her back to her home.

When Polly arrives home, she finds that her family and friends have not aged a day. They are overjoyed to see her, and they welcome her back with open arms. Polly tells them that she has been away for seven years, but she does not tell them anything about her time with the fairies.

Polly lives a happy life with her family and friends, but she never forgets her time with the fairies. She often thinks about them, and she sometimes wonders what they are ng.

One day, Polly is out walking in the woods when she sees a group of fairies. She is overjoyed to see them, and she runs to them. The fairies are happy to see Polly, and they invite her to come back to their palace with them.

Polly agrees, and she follows the fairies back to their palace. She spends the rest of her life with the fairies, and she is never seen again.

The story of Polly of Bridgewater Farm has been told and retold for generations, and it has been adapted into numerous books, plays, and films. The story has been translated into many languages, and it is one of the most popular Irish fairy tales in the world.

The story of Polly of Bridgewater Farm is a timeless tale of love, loss, and redemption. It is a story that has resonated with readers for generations, and it is a story that will continue to be told for many years to come.

The Real Polly

While the story of Polly of Bridgewater Farm is a fictional tale, it is believed that the character of Polly was based on a real person. In the early 19th century, there was a young woman named Bridget Cleary who lived in County Clare, Ireland. Cleary was accused of being a fairy changeling, and she was burned to death by her husband and neighbors.

The story of Bridget Cleary is a tragic reminder of the power of superstition and fear. It is also a reminder of the importance of telling stories like Polly of Bridgewater Farm, stories that challenge our assumptions and that remind us of the power of love and compassion.

Polly in Popular Culture

The story of Polly of Bridgewater Farm has been adapted into numerous books, plays, and films. Some of the most notable adaptations include:

• The Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland (1825) by Thomas Crofton Croker
• Polly of Bridgewater Farm (1946) by Elizabeth Enright
• Pollyanna (1960) by Walt Disney Productions
• The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) by John Sayles

The story of Polly of Bridgewater Farm has also been the inspiration for numerous songs, poems, and paintings. The story continues to be told and retold, and it is a testament to the power of storytelling to entertain, educate, and inspire.

Polly's Legacy

The story of Polly of Bridgewater Farm is a timeless tale of love, loss, and redemption. It is a story that has resonated with readers for generations, and it is a story that will continue to be told for many years to come. Polly's story is a reminder of the power of love and compassion, and it is a reminder that we should never forget those who have been lost.

Polly of Bridgewater Farm: An Unkown Irish Story

by Catharine McKenty

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	20657 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	244 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE