jim behan      dolmen      pottery      carlow      ireland

Stoneware form, woodfired, saltglaze

On the night of November 9th 1834 Lucy Sly's abusive husband Walter arrived home drunk and retired to his bed. Saying nothing Lucy placed a hatchet in the lap of her young lover John Dempsey an labourer on the farm. John readily accepted the invitation and slew Walter forthwith.

The lovers were tried in the Deighton Hall, Carlow, found guilty and both were launched off together from the gibbet of Carlow gaol (right), on March 30th. 1835.

At the trial no one spoke in favour of Lucy.

Paperclay ceramic panel with coloured slips and gold lustre.