Mythical but beautiful Gearagh features in new graphic novel

The spooky beauty of the Gearagh has inspired one of the tales in a graphic novel from a local artist, describing it as a place of ‘outlaws, poitín makers and total confusion’, writes Brian Moore

THE rare and spooky beauty of the Gearagh area outside Macroom was the inspiration for just one of the tales told in a new graphic novel from Kilmichael resident, Keith Kennedy, which has gone on sale this week.

Lost on the Water tells the of story of an explorer as he makes his way through the waters of the Gearagh listening to the tales of highway men, poitín makers and much more.

‘The Gearagh is full of stories and myths,’ Keith Kennedy told The Southern Star.  ‘Lost on the Water tells the tale of a solo explorer on a quest into the unknown waters of the Gearagh on the River Lee, searching for its secret before time runs out. A place of outlaws, poitín makers and total confusion.’

This is Keith’s second book in a planned series of 10,  which tell stories, all set on or about the River Lee – as it makes it way from Gougane Barra to the sea. 

Keith, who works as an art and drawing teacher, got the idea for the novels after a canoeing trip down the river.

‘The trip down the river was inspirational,’ Keith said. ‘There is so much folklore and local stories that are all but forgotten. I want to bring some of them to life within the pages of the graphic novels.’

Keith’s latest work also tells the story of the ‘One-eyed Liar’ whose job it is to ensure that Shandon’s famous clock is always correct. 

Unfortunately, the hero is never on time himself, hence the name the, ‘Four-faced liar’. 

And, after being back in the 1700s with tales of highwaymen in the Gearagh, Keith then takes us forward to Cork city circa 2072 with the ‘Depth Collector’ where we find the city completely underwater (except the Elysian of course) as we follow the tale of The Depth Collector and his partner Meelie as they explore the streets of Cork city, now the bed of the River Lee.

‘This is the second story in the series, the first was St Finbarre and his epic battle entitled ‘Troubled Waters’’, which is still available in shops,’ Keith said. 

The comics are now available in Waterstones, the Comic Vault and Cork Flower Studio in Cork city, and also in Quinlan’s in Macroom.