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Betsy Gray

An Irish girl, in heart and soul,
I love the dear old land.
I honour those who, in her cause,
Lift voice or pen or hand.
And may I live to see her free
From foreign lord and knave.
But heaven forbid I'll ever be
The mother of a slave.

-from "Betsy Grey, the Patriot Maid"(anonymous)



Betsy Gray (or "Bessie Grey"), if she did indeed exist, was probably born around 1780 in Killinchy, 12 miles southeast of Belfast.

In the early days of Irish insurrection, well-off Protestants like Wolfe Tone played as active a role as Catholics in the risings. Betsy, herself likely the daughter of a Presbyterian farmer, was no exception. Her father, brother, and significant other, Willie Boal, were members of the outlawed United Irishmen (whose emblem is displayed above). Betsy, while not officially a member of the UI militia, never the less played a significant role in Irish rebel history.

Apparently something of a mascot to the County Down rebel battalion (in the Risings of 1798), rode beside its commander in the Battle of Ballinahinch, 13 July 1798. She was dressed in green, on a white horse, carrying the United Irish flag (the emblem above on a field of solid green). At some point during the battle, she availed herself of a weapon and began fighting alongside Willie and her brother George. When the battle ended in a massive defeat for the insurgent forces, the three dropped their weapons and fled.

They were followed by Thomas Nelson of Anahilt and a few of his fellow loyalist volunteers (called Yeomen). Séamas ÓTuathail gives this account of Betsy's murder:

"She ran back a few hundred yards to find her lover dying upon the ground, and her brother struggling. He was about to be struck by a sword from behind when Betsy grabbed the blade in her bare hands to save him. She was set upon by three soldiers; one of them struck her upon the wrist with his sword cutting her hand completely off, another [Nelson of Anahilt] put his pistol close to her eyes and sent a bullet crashing through her brain. In the same instant her brother was shot."

Having apparently found some free time, the three Yeomen amused themselves by chopping off the limbs and head of Willie and George and slicing their flesh off their bones.

Betsy's fate was worse yet. After her death, a Yeo (presumably Anahilt, who was rumoured to be a rejected suitor) cut her clothes off her body and left her nude corpse at a crossroads.


Lament for Bessie Grey

The star of evening slowly rose,
Through shades of twilight gleaming,
It shone to witness Erin's woes,
Her children's life-blood streaming;
'Twas then, sweet star, thy pensive ray,
Fell on the gold, unconscious clay,
That wraps the breast of Bessie Grey,
In softened lustre beaming.

Poor maiden, she, with hope elate,
With fond affection swelling,
To share a lover's, brother's fate,
Forsook her peaceful dwelling;
With them to share her simple store,
O all their griefs a balm to pour,
The field of death she dared explore,
Each selfish thought repelling.

The battle lost, the vanquished fled,
The victors swift pursuing,
And trampling o'er the mighty dead,
With blood their steps bedewing;
They came to where, with fervent zeal,
These friends their Bessie would conceal;
Mark! how they point the gleaming steel,
Their destined victim viewing.

'Oh spare that life!' her brother cries,
With indignation glowing,
Tears trembling in the lover's eyes,
His arms around her throwing;
But lover's, brother's sighs are vain,
Even in their sight the maid is slain,
And now on Erin's ruined plain,
Their mingled blood is flowing.



-Mary Balfour

Move On . . .

The Pictures Above the Fireplace
The Great Hall