麻豆社

The apparent reincarnation of a 19th Century Irish woman provoked something of a sensation in 1950s America. Challenging everything many people believed, 鈥楤ridie Murphy鈥� sparked what today might be called a 鈥榗ulture war鈥�, with resonances to the present ...

1952. A Colorado woman is hypnotised by local businessman Morey Bernstein. In a trance, she reveals herself to be the apparent reincarnation of a 19th century Irish lady called Bridie Murphy.

Reportedly speaking in an Irish accent, over six hypnosis sessions 鈥楤ridie鈥� gives extraordinarily detailed accounts of her 1800s life in Cork and Belfast, through to her death, funeral and after-life.

A local reporter breaks the story 鈥� and a subsequent book by Morey Bernstein flies off the shelves: 'The Search for Bridie Murphy'. A reincarnation frenzy ensues. The New York Times calls 鈥楤ridie鈥� a 鈥渃ultural brushfire鈥�. Some of this is ironic 鈥� there are 鈥楥ome As You Were鈥� parties, Reincarnation Cocktails and popular parlour-game hypnosis sessions 鈥� but some is definitely not.

One question grips the nation: Can it be true?

If so, Bridie Murphy challenges everything many people believe. If not, what鈥檚 really happening in these sessions? And the question is now how to uncover the truth.

A series with very modern resonances of how, from the smallest of origins, a story blows up to divide national opinion. Of what happens to those who find themselves unintentionally caught up in the events. And of the legacy of 鈥楤ridie Murphy鈥� today.

Actors: Michael Curran-Dorsano, Adam Dougal, Patrick FitzSymons, Jonathan Harden, Aoibheann McCann, Maeve Smyth

With thanks to Chicago Public Library.

Series presented and produced by Ophelia Byrne
Studio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Executive Editor: Andy Martin
US Recording: Stephanie Wolf

A 麻豆社 Northern Ireland Production

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