Pull of Colleen Bawn story can be boon to Limerick tourism

THE resting site of Ellen Hanley, also known as the Colleen Bawn, could become a centre tourist attraction of Shannon Estuary Way, according to co-ordinator Colleen Bawn Trail.

Patrick T Fitzgerald, co-ordinator Colleen Bawn Trail, belives the story of the tragic murder could be used to encourage tourists to the area. 

The high profile trial of the Colleen Bawn took place in 1820, in which Ellen’s husband John Scanlan was accused of murder. The story became famous afterwards, when playwright Dion Boucicault wrote The Colleen Bawn.

One site that Mr Fitzgerald thinks could be of particular interest is the final resting place of Ms Hanley. This is located in Barrane Cemetery in Killimer in County Clare. To mark the 200 year anniversary, Mr Fitzgerald will be coordinating trails that will mark the events that outline the story of the Colleen Bawn.

“We will be  retracing the journey of how Ellen Hanley met her death on the Shannon. We will be teaming up with groups from both the Limerick and Clare side. We would be looking to throw a type of pageantry to pick a Colleen Bawn,” said Mr Fitzgerald