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Historical novels are set in West Cork

March 30th, 2016 7:20 AM

By Siobhan Cronin

Author Stephen Finlay Archer, whose new novel ‘Searchers - The Irish Clans' is launched this week

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Just in time for the Easter Rising Centennial, an Irish American writer has launched the first in a series of four historical fiction novels about the Irish Revolution.

JUST in time for the Easter Rising Centennial, an Irish American writer has launched the first in a series of four historical fiction novels about the Irish Revolution.

The story weaves the tale of two clans, the O’Donnells in Canada and the McCarthys in Ireland, who are searching for life’s true treasures. 

The author, Stephen Finlay Archer, was in Ireland this week to launch the first in the quartet of novels.

‘My fictional main character lives at Creagh near Skibbereen in 1915,’ explained Stephen, adding: ‘This saga spans the period of the Irish revolution from 1915 with the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa to the end of the Civil War in 1923. It is an adventure and romance novel as well as being integral with the revolution.’

He added that the clans in the novels – which are introduced in the first tome, entitled Searchers – The Irish Clans realise they must eventually meet if they are to fulfill their destiny set in motion by their medieval Clan Chieftains. Traumatised by a tragedy at sea, the three linked protagonists are guided by divine synchronicity. 

They include Claire, a spunky young Irish woman, adrift with amnesia and near death after the sinking of the Lusitania, who may be the key to unlocking an ancient Clans mystery. Tadgh McCarthy is an Irish rebel sea captain, confronted by a calamity at sea, who must make a life or death decision that will alter his future - to carry out his predestined mission in the Irish Revolution and to validate his birthright as Clan Chieftain. 

Collin O’Donnell is a beleaguered young Canadian, riddled with guilt over the murder of his parents and the disappearance of his young sister. He must make a crucial decision that may cost him the love of his life.

This adventure and romance novel is true to the historical events of 1915, including the funeral of O’Donovan Rossa, the unrepentant Fenian, which fans the flames of revolution, says the author. The book will be available in bookshops in Skibbereen and in Cork from this week.

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