Story-teller Doreen releases latest book

Pictured in Banbridge Library at the launch of his book "Every Sayin' Under the Sun" is Tullyorior Author Michael Wallace included is local Author Doreen McBride, Library Assistant Sarah-Rose McGuirk and Joan Magee (Heritage Services) © Edward Byrne Photography INBL11-200EB

Doreen, a former biology teacher at Wallace and Dromore High who currently lives in Banbridge has spent over two years working on her latest novel.

She recounts tales both ancient and modern of County Louth, the doomed love of Lassara and her harpist who haunt the waters of Carlingford Lough, of the origin of the River Boyne and of the jumping church at Kildemock.

Her stories range from fantastical myths, to amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales, a collection of bloodthirsty, funny, passionate and moving stories. It will take you into a remarkable world where you can let your imagination run wild.

Doreen, has always loved story telling.

“Unfortunately, story telling is dying out,” she said. “Too many people are on their ipod and iphones and not enough people are talking.

“When I was young my granny and my aunts would tell me all sorts of stories which I am truly grateful for. I have always been fascinated by them.

“I find it sad that the old stories are dying out. I think the human race is in danger of forgetting how to speak as there’s so much emphasis on texting, Facebook, Twitter and computer games.

“When I was a teacher I would tell them stories at the end of each class - always trying to put them off their break.”

To research her latest book she went to visit a Leprechaun Whisperer in Carlingford.

“I met Kevin Woods, the Leprechaun Whisperer who has managed to get leprechauns recognised as an endangered species by the European Union,” she said. “That took him 9 years to achieve and was done on the grounds that the European Union could not prove that leprechauns do not exist.

“I encountered a killer cat on the border at Mory Castle, a fairy horse and the Salmon of Knowledge - as well as king Brian Boru’s talkative toes. There’s a church at Kildemock, near Ardee with a wall that jumped inside its foundations.”

She continued, “I have always looked upon County Louth as simply a place to pass through on the way to Dublin. How wrong I was. I found it fascinating and full of interesting amusing friendly people.”

She also discovered St Brigid was born at Faughaurt, St Patrick’s two surviving letters were found in the remains of an ancient church at Ardpatrick and St Oliver Plunket’s head is in St Peter’s Church in Drogheda.

Published by History Press, price £9 99 it is available at Amazon and most book shops.