Local author's new book takes a 'mysterious and compelling' journey into the Boyne Valley's ancient past
Boyne Valley author and photographer Anthony Murphy will launch his latest book this Friday at the Highlanes Gallery in Drogheda.
Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past is the local writer’s fifth book and is published by The Liffey Press.
“This is my third major work of non-fiction, and my fifth book,” Anthony told the Meath Chronicle.
“Mythical Ireland is the culmination of about four years of writing. The idea for the title came from my website, which was founded in March 2000 and has been called ‘Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past’ ever since then,” he said.
The Drogheda resident has worked as a journalist for his entire career. He worked at the Drogheda Independent for 10 years before becoming editor of the Drogheda Leader newspaper in 2003. He went on to be appointed editor of the Dundalk Democrat in 2007 and now works as a sub-editor and graphic designer for the Irish Farmers Journal.
“Writing has always been in the blood,” he says. “I started writing articles about astronomy back in the mid-1980s. I’ve always been fascinated by the stars, and growing up beside the great monuments of the Boyne Valley, it was difficult not to take a big interest in our ancient past.”
So what’s the new book about?
“It is a fascinating, compelling and mysterious journey into our ancient past, looking at the prehistoric monuments of the Boyne region and their mythology and spirituality. In its scope and style, it’s at turns academic, poetic and philosophical.”
“There are lots of interesting questions and revelations along the way,” he says, cryptically. “But you really will have to buy the book to find out the answers!”
Just how much knowledge did locals have of the secrets of Newgrange before it was excavated? What happened to make Ireland’s Stonehenge disappear from the landscape? What connects Fourknocks, a tiny passage-tomb, with the stones of Newgrange? Did someone try to steal the Tara Brooch? Mythical Ireland has at least some of the answers.
“This is a very special publication. It’s at least as big as my previous works, Island of the Setting Sun and Newgrange: Monument to Immortality, but it is even more richly adorned with full colour photographs and will make a fabulous gift book, especially with the looming winter solstice and Christmas season.”
The launch takes place at 8pm in the Highlanes Gallery, Laurence Street, Drogheda, this Friday, 24th November. Special guest of honour on the evening will be Fr. Iggy O’Donovan. Free wine, refreshments and snacks will be served on the evening. Anthony would love to see you all there.
The book is priced at €29.95 and will be available in all good book shops in the coming week. If you are unable to make the launch, signed copies can be bought online at www.mythicalireland.com.