Voting Station

Virginia Tighe (Bridey Murphy)

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Oddity

The Resume

    (April 27, 1923-July 12, 1995)
    Resided in Pueblo, Colorado
    While under hypnosis claimed to be the reincarnation of a nineteenth century Irish woman named Bridey Murphy (1798-1864)
    Subject of the book 'The Search for Bridey Murphy' (1956) by her hypnotist Morey Bernstein
    'The Search for Bridey Murphy' made into a film of the same name, starring Teresa Wright (1956)

Why she might be annoying:

    Bernstein did not try to verify any details about Bridey Murphy’s life.
    Reporters who visited Ireland found no record of a Bridey Murphy as described by Tighe.
    Many of her details about Bridey Murphy’s life, such as a childhood iron bedstead, proved anachronistic.
    It is now believed that Bridey Murphy was based on Tighe’s childhood memories of an Irish neighbor called Bridie Murphey Corkell.
    She inspired ‘Come as You Were’ costume parties and ‘Flaming Reincarnation’ cocktails.

Why she might not be annoying:

    ‘The Search for Bridey Murphy’ was a bestseller in several languages.
    She started a widespread public interest in reincarnation that lasted until the 70s.
    As Bridey she spoke with a very convincing Irish brogue.
    She may have been unconsciously telling the hypnotist what he wanted to hear rather than deliberately lying.
    Her case highlights the unreliability of recovered memories.
    She became tired of media attention and avoided publicity in later years.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 81 Votes: 53.09% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 33 Votes: 51.52% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 31 Votes: 67.74% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 25 Votes: 68.00% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 39 Votes: 69.23% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 35 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 47 Votes: 76.60% Annoying