Sally Blake (duelist)

Sally Blake, Irish landowner and duelist, 1774-1870.

Background

Blake was a descendant of The Tribes of Galway and born at Belmont, near Milltown, County Galway. The family had an infamous reputation a duelists dating back to the 1440s.

She was the wife of Michael Bermingham (died 1835) of Dalgain.

The Duel

Bermingham's estate bordered that of the Dillons of Dillonbrook. Following a dispute, Dillon challenged Michael Bermingham to a duel, which was to take place the next morning. At the arranged time, Bermingham's courage failed him and he did not fight.

The following morning, Sally armed herself with pistols and rode out to Dillon's house, and challenged him to an exchange of shots. However, Dillon refused to fight with a lady.

Aftermath

Blake is not known to have any prior or further duelling incidents. She died aged ninety-six in 1870 and was buried with her husband in the centre of a hillfort overlooking her homeplace, the burial ground of the Blakes of Dalgin.

References

• Milltown Sketches, Christy Molloy, 1995