A night to remember at Halloween launch of Abbeyleix stories
Jack Nolan (who launched the book) with Noel Burke and James Carroll at the launch of 'Abbeyleix Folklore: Halloween & Winter Tales' by Noel Burke and James G Carroll in Morrissey’s, Abbeyleix Photos: Alf Harvey
A HUGE crowd filled Morrissey’s of Abbeyleix for the launch of a collection of Halloween stories from the town and surrounding areas.
The launch of ‘Abbeyleix Folklore: Halloween & Winter Tales’ was one of those unforgettable evenings when the room felt alive, full of neighbours, friends, stories and laughter.
The fourth book by local historian Noel Burke and photographer James G. Carroll contains Halloween tales that are rooted in real places and families, drawing on local folklore and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
As with the duo’s first three story collections, the latest book was launched by the incomparable Jack Nolan, whose heartfelt and often humorous interview with Noel was a highlight of the night, drawing a rapt audience and sustained applause.
The book’s chilling tales include The Gortanaclea Banshee, who is said to haunt the eponymous castle near Shanahoe; ‘The Lantern Man of the old Ballinakill Road’ who leads travellers astray and ‘The Night the Black Coach came for Richard McCabe’, which will make readers look twice at every lonely road around Shanahoe, Blackhill Woods and Abbeyleix.
Following the launch on Friday 23 October, Noel said: “One moment in particular stayed with people, when Jack asked me about my favourite story in the book. I told him it was the final one - the story of a five year old girl who had to face a kind of heartbreak no child should ever have to face.
“She adored two animals more than anything in the world: her gentle Connemara pony, and her loyal little black and white Wicklow collie who followed her everywhere. Every day she went to the field to see her pony and every day her collie raced ahead, rounding up the pony and bringing him to the gate so she could feed him and wrap her tiny arms around his neck.
“It was their ritual. Their world. Their joy. And then, one day, the pony died. Shortly after, her beloved collie died too.
“Two losses. Two best friends gone. And a five year old left trying to understand grief for the very first time. In the book, I tell the story of how she learned to carry that sadness, how she found her way through it, and how love - even when it hurts - can shape us forever.
“It’s the story people spoke about most after the launch. It’s the story many said they will never forget.” Out of a large box of books at the launch, only two copies remained at the end of the night. More copies priced €10 are available at Cleland’s Eurospar, The Red Door Gift Shop, Abbeyleix Post Office and Heritage House in Abbeyleix. It will also be available on Amazon.
