Portrait of Mrs Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby, The Ladies of Llangollen
At a time when same-sex relationships were shrouded in secrecy and stigmatized, two upper-class Irish women rebelled against societal expectations and lived openly as a couple. Eleanor Butler (1739-1829) and Sarah Ponsonby (1755-1831), famously known as the “Ladies of Llangollen”, captivated their contemporaries and left an indelible mark on history as pioneers of love and rebellion.
The two met through family connections in 1768 and soon formed a deep and unbreakable bond. To escape the pressures of society and conventional marriage, Eleanor and Sarah left Ireland in 1780 and settled in Plas Newydd, a charming Gothic mansion in Llangollen, North Wales, where they would live for the rest of their lives. They even had a dog called Sappho, named after the Greek poet from the island of Lesbos.
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Their home became a shrine not only to them, but also to many famous visitors who were intrigued by their story. Literary figures such as Lord Byron and William Wordsworth, military leaders such as Arthur Wellesley, and many others visited the women who chose to live life on their own terms. Wordsworth dedicated a sonnet to them, praising their love and perseverance.
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Eleanor's diary offers a glimpse into their daily lives, filled with simple joys and deep love. The diary describes days of peace, joy and togetherness, often peppered with affectionate terms like “my darling,” “my dear,” and “the dearest of my heart.” Despite, or perhaps because of, their aristocratic origins, the Ladies of Llangollen became symbols of same-sex desire and romantic rebellion.
Their unconventional lives did not go unnoticed or criticized – diarist Hester Thrale derided them as “loathsome sapphists” and Lord Byron mentioned them in letters about his own love affairs – but they also inspired admiration and hope in others. Anne Lister, the famous diarist and subject of the BBC series Gentleman Jack, was keen to meet them in 1822, and saw them as precursors to a lifestyle she hoped to emulate.
Eleanor and Sarah's legacy continues to inspire today. Plas Newydd remains a place of pilgrimage for many in the LGBTQ+ community, and contemporary artist Sarah Joy Ford recently created a work inspired by their relationship. Parents The powerful presence that these women left behind.
“I've always been interested in lesbian and LGBT+ history and they are iconic figures,” she said. For Ford and her partner, who plan to get married at Plas Newydd, the women of Llangollen are a symbol of hope and a celebration of queer history.
Their incredible story will feature in the new season of TG4's Scéalta Grá na hÉireann, a series featuring Ireland's greatest love stories. Premiering this September, the show will explore six fascinating and moving relationships set against significant historical backdrops, including the 1798 rebellion and the Easter Rising. Among these stories, Eleanor and Sarah's love story stands out for its unique combination of romance and rebellion.
As Scéalta Grá na hÉireann introduces their story to new audiences, Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby remind us of the enduring power of love and the courage to live our own lives. Their love story now stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the eternal search for true friendship.
