Bunratty Castle setting for children’s book

BUNRATTY Castle is the setting for children’s author Eithne Massey’s new book, The Silver Stag of Bunratty.
The Dubliner has previously written The Secret of Kells, The Dreaming Tree, Best Loved Irish Legends and Legendary Ireland.
She said that the decision to set the book in Bunratty was made in conjunction with the publishers.
“I’m very interested in the medieval period of history and the publishers were interested in publishing a book with a castle in it.
“When people think of Irish castles, Bunratty is probably the one that they think of first,” she says.
Eithne has been travelling to Clare for many years and said it is set in a period of time when there was quite a lot going on in the area.
“It’s based in the 14th century when the area around the castle was all woodland. There was conflict between the Normans at the castle and the Irish clans that were living around there. It’s a representation of the different people that were living in the area at the time,” she said.
She said the book centres on the adventures of a group of children from different strands of the society of the time.
“An Irish child is in the castle because he has been taken hostage by the Normans to ensure that the tribes behave themselves. When the child is taken hostage they have set ideas about the Normans but a friendship starts with two Norman children and then, along with a servant child, they work together to try to save the silver stag.”
John Ruddle, CEO of Shannon Heritage, the tourism and heritage subsidiary of Shannon Development, said, “We are honoured that hugely successful author Eithne Massey has chosen Bunratty ­Castle as the location for her latest novel.
“This enthralling piece of children’s literature is sure to be a major hit with its young audience and we are delighted to be associated with the launch,” he said.