The Longstone adventure begins with the publication of
CúChulainn of Eirú
Book I – The Isle of Shadows
But what or where is this place? Is this ancient Ireland? Is this the mythology and folklore familiar to many?
The answer is – almost !
While firmly based on Irish myths and legends, the realm in which this series takes place does not aim to be a faithful re-telling of the classic stories but to present a new universe where elements of the various cycles and tales weave together in an alternate reality and upon an alternate version of a mythological pseudo-Ireland.
The goal being to create an arena where familiar tales can lead off down novel new paths and characters and events can take surprising twists.
As co-author Derek Fennell explains –
‘…central to the concept of our work is the idea of ‘Eirú’ , this being a version
of the ancient Ireland so familiar from our myths and legends that exists- as
Tolkien would say when speaking about Middle Earth history – as though it
were medieval England ‘at a different stage of imagination’ Thus we see
this re-imagined realm where the plot of our books unfold as, yes, seeming
like mythical Ireland but a few fractions across another dimension so that
while many things may seem familiar, they are also quite different. Fates of
classic characters follow different trajectories, encounters between beings
that may not have been narratively possible before can now be, the
landscape is somewhat off kilter, the geography, the history, the speech,
the names, the supernatural and the natural co-exist to the surprise of none
so that magic, ghosts and the faerie, while not being exactly everyday
occurrences, are seen as being very much a normal part of the universe for
the characters. Though their relationships and attitudes to that other power,
this other reality, can and do vary greatly.’
His writing partner, Richard Roche, tells us a little more of what we can expect in this first installment –
‘The first book introduces Setanta, a demi-god in an ancient version of Ireland (Eirú) where rival kingdoms battle for power, and dark gods use magic and deception for their evil designs. We are introduced to the kingdom of Uladh, where King Conchobar rules from his seat at Eamhain Mhaca, the generals and warriors of Uladh’s army, the rival kingdom of Connacht, ruled by King Ailill and Queen Medb, and a variety of other characters who will determine Setanta’s fate. Book 1 tells of how Setanta becomes CúChulainn, his training in arms on the mysterious Isle of Shadows, and his defence of Uladh from the invading forces of the Fomorians.’
The scene is set. Welcome to Eirú , worthy reader. A world you may have thought you knew…
