Loftus Hall inspires Stephen’s debut novel
A VISIT to Loftus Hall was the inspiration for a new, terrifying love story written by a Co Wexford based author.
‘Twisted Paths’, the debut novel by artist Stephen O’Raw, has just been released.
O’Raw arrived in Co Wexford with his wife and son five years ago and was immediately smitten by Wexford’s fine weather, beaches and warm and welcoming communities.
They enjoyed many outings around the county, visiting Wells House, The National Heritage park, Johnstown Castle and Duncannon Fort, to name a few.
It wasn’t until a family trip to them Hook Lighthouse that Stephen’s fascination with the forlorn features of Loftus Hall began.
Standing alone on the barren plateau like an abandoned prop from a Hollywood horror movie, he wanted to know more of its origins and to tell its tale in his own very unique style. And so the artist became the writer.
O’Raw said he found the transition between crafts seamless.
Borrowing from legends of the Hellfire Club in the Dublin mountains, myths associated with ‘Ireland Most Haunted House,’ and tales of seafaring carnage off of Hook Head, he weaves and knits together the story.
‘The very sight of Loftus Hall is stark and unsettling, it has no earthly place on that rocky slip of earth that leads to nothing but lands end and snarling tides. I took the guided tour, the hall’s a grim old girl, bowing at knees and groaning under the weight of her years. I listened to the stories of her past – and felt she deserved a grander opus, a magnificent obituary to commemorate her inglorious reputation and riches to rags repertoire.’
Over a 100-year timespan, readers will follow entwining paths of innocents on their journey into corruption. Twisted Paths is a love story, a who-dunnit, a thriller, and undoubtedly a horror.
‘You are never safe in this story, a menace follows you throughout, unseen hands wait to trip your footing, and though your journey through this tangled tale grips and seizes you, the air will taste so good when you can finally breathe again,’ said O’Raw of his book.
The book also features references to Vinegar Hill, Tintern Abbey, Hook Lighthouse and Kilmore Quay.
A book launch was being planned for the Book Café in Gorey until the sad and untimely passing of its founder John Wyse Jackson, and the recent pandemic.
Twisted Paths is available to order from Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.