Yes, she was half-Irish (or entirely, depends who you choose to believe), but masqueraded as a Spaniard.
Someone hostile to her claimed she was really born in 1818, but isn't so. Just another case of saying so-and-so's an old hag who lies about her age.
Even though hot tempered and easy on the morals, she really does not seem to have been a bad person. For example out in the West she'd generously help women who were very poor or ill, often staying with them at great risk to herself.
I would really liked to have seen her on stage once, to know what her dancing was actualy like.
Next best thing is Royal Flash.

To bring this back on topic, has anyone ever seen Caucasian dances? Especially the Lesghinka (which is very graceful and danced on tip-toes) and the sword dances, where the boys leap 6 feet in the air. Marvelous costumes, and unequaled moves.