Lady Betty, Legendary Executioner [8min]

Did the legendary executioner really exist? The Encyclopaedia of Ireland is an ambitious new publication that offers facts on everything from Bono to the Battle of the Boyne. One of the more unexpected entries is the eighteenth century female executioner, Lady Betty who lived in Roscommon Jail. There are few sources on the life of Lady Betty; the most reliable is Sir William Wilde -- father of Oscar. Lady Betty was known as a cruel and fearful hangwoman who sketched her victims as they were hanged. But did she really exist and was she as dreadful as her reputation? Kay Sheehy went in search of the real Lady Betty and talked to historian Caitriona Clear, local expert Albert Siggins and looked at the writings of William Wilde.