Local poet reveals connections to ‘Dracula’ creator
Dr Arthur Broomfield pictured by the gravestone of one Henry Stoker who died in 1883 and is buried in St Peter's graveyard in Portlaoise Town Photos: Stan Henderson
THE eleventh book by Laois poet and Beckett scholar Dr Arthur Broomfield entitled will be launched in Portlaoise library on Thursday 22 May at 7pm by playwright and academic Frances Harney and the writer revealed for the first time that his family is connected to the famous author Bram Stoker.
In Dr Broomfield’s new book (published by Revival Press in Limerick) some of the themes captured by the colourful mind of the midlands author include a miraculous healing at an agricultural show, the strange appearance of rosary beads in a Protestant youth’s pocket and a prison chief’s shooting.
Some of the captivating story titles include T and .
Speaking to the in Portlaoise library recently, Dr Broomfield spoke about his new book and how he found out about his distant connection to Irish novelist Abraham (Bram) Stoker, who wrote the gothic horror novel in 1897.
Dr Broomfield said: “I have been writing short stories since 2016 and have taken classes with two excellent authors and tutors. I started putting my short stories together with Pauline Clooney from Portlaoise, who gave me a great start.
“I went on to do a week-long residential course with Claire Keegan in Tullow in an old boarding school. There were people there from all over the world, including Australia, Japan and the States. When she was teaching us, Claire said that if we had come looking for praise that we were in the wrong place. Both tutors have radically changed my approach to my writing. On Claire’s advice I went back to reading Hemmingway and his influence is a big inspiration to me.
“In my new book, most of the stories have their beginnings in some kind of strong feelings or events that for one reason or another lingered in my mind during my life. So, these begin the stories and my imagination takes over from there.” The Bram Stoker International Summer School was established in 1991 and was an annual weekend event held every June as a gathering for those interested in the works of Bram Stoker.
Continuing, Dr Broomfield said: “My late sister was a librarian in Mountmellick library and, before she passed away in 2003, the year that Laois won the Leinster championship, one of the Stoker family members who was involved in the Bram Stoker summer school came down to her and told her that the Broomfields were connected to the Stokers through a Russell, who I think was a doctor in Portlaoise during my ancestors’ time. He’s buried in St Peter’s Church of Ireland graveyard in the middle of the town. Perhaps I have Bram Stoker’s bloodline ‒ excuse the pun,” he said.
Upon visiting St Peter’s graveyard for a photograph and searching for almost 30 minutes, Dr Broomfield stumbled upon the gravestone of one Henry Hugh Gordon Stoker.
Local historian and genealogist Regina Dunne was kind enough to confirm for this publication that Henry Stoker was a farmer from Gurteen in Laois, who passed away on 10 February 1883 from heart disease and that he was a nephew of Bram Stoker’s, as he was Bram’s brother Dr William Stoker’s son.
The plot thickens.
Commenting on the upcoming launch, Portlaoise library branch manager Aoife Moore said: “Portlaoise library is delighted to welcome Dr Arthur Broomfield here to launch his 11th book of short stories. It’s great to have such a renowned local author such as Arthur supporting the library and, in turn, we’re very happy to support him in the launch of his new book.” Everyone is invited to attend the launch. Dr Broomfield will read from his latest contribution to the literary world and sign copies on the night. Books will be available to purchase for €15 each and refreshments will be served.
