Research into witchcraft

• Witchcraft is a term that has been used throughout history, in association with both folklore and religion, such as wicca, the craft and wise craft. Christians do not identify this as a religion however and as the Irish were majorly catholic and protestant in 1710, we can assume that they met the term "witchcraft" with great hostility.
• Historically, people have associated witchcraft with evil and usually have regarded a witch as someone who uses magic to harm others, by causing accidents, illnesses, bad luck, and even death. Some societies believe that witches also use magic for good, performing such actions as casting spells for love, health, and wealth. 
• We assume that the women were victims of society, having their freedom taken away from them as they are shown guilty for something they probably didn't do. Even if they were guilty, we can assume that they were only guilty of practicing the religious and moral beliefs of witch craft, via one of the adjoining religions such as wicca. 
• Wicca includes pagan, folk, and magical rites. Its primary sources are Babylonian, Celtic, Egyptian, ancient Greek, Roman, and Sumerian mythologies and rites, but also borrows from other religions and mythologies, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and the rites of American Indians. Essentially, Wicca is a religion that celebrates the natural world and the seasonal cycles. It acknowledges the Goddess as the feminine side of a deity called God. Witches worship both Goddess and God in various personifications, including ancient gods and goddesses.
• Historically, people have associated witchcraft with evil and usually have regarded a witch as someone who uses magic to harm others, by causing accidents, illnesses, bad luck, and even death. Some societies believe that witches also use magic for good, performing such actions as casting spells for love, health, and wealth.
• There are four major sabbats: Imbolc (February 1), Beltane (April 30), Lugnasadh or Lammas (July 31), and Samhain (October 31). Lugnasadh is a commonly practiced sabbat in Ireland and was recently adapted as a play by Irish playwright Brian Friel (Dancing at Lughnasadh). 
• Early Ireland was heavily associated with paganism until the story of saint Patrick arrived, which told the story of Patrick coming to Ireland to teach the barbaric Irish pagans a religion.
• The witch hunt reached its peak in Europe during the late 1500's and early 1600's. Many victims, who were mostly women, were falsely accused of witchcraft. Many accused witches were tortured until they confessed. Then they faced imprisonment, banishment, or execution. 
• There are a number of recourses leading to the Islandmagee which trial all over the internet. As well as this a number of theses and books have been published recording the events. Below are a few: