FrenchauthorCynthia isnow‘Drogheda’sGirl’
“THAT a thing which is a sin to one is a blessing to another, no more than we count it a solecism to say, that what is one man’s meat is another man’s poison”.
While long-time residents of Drogheda bemoan the lack of shops, or potholes in the road, one recent citizen counts it as one of the most fascinating places in the world.
So much so, that French woman Cynthia Lourties was inspired to write a book called ‘L’enfant de Drogheda’ (Drogheda’s Child), which is available online and in libraries in her native country.
Published under her nom de plume “Alisone Davies”, the work of fiction is set in her adopted town and was written while she was working on a farm in Duleek!
“It started out as just a story I was writing for myself while working on the farm, but then it turned into a book,” says the 29-year-old graphic designer from Gascony.
“Even though I was working in Duleek and Drumcar, I spent all my weekends in Drogheda and then Laytown, and I’ve fallen in love with both.”
Indeed, such is her love for Laytown, that she is seeking to move from her accommodation in Fair Street, to the coastal villagen as soon as possible.
“I go to Laytown as often as I can, and love Gilna’s and the Coast Tavern, and am now looking for a job locally,” she says.
“Growing up in Nice, I love to be near the sea, and I feel really happy and peaceful there.”
This is not Cynthia’s first book and has published three more in France.
“I wrote my first book when I was 17, which I wrote with my younger sister Sandra, and it was kind of fantasy book, like Harry Potter,” explains Cynthia, who moved to Ireland because her love of all things Celtic.
“My second was a crime thriller when I was 21, and at 25, I wrote a book of poems, so even though I studied medical-social sciences, I am much more interested in the arts.”
Indeed, her website www.alisonesworld.com describes her as a photographer, painter, drawer, baker, astronomer, astrophotographer, musician and writer!
But she says her walks and meeting some of the characters around Drogheda, have been her best source of inspiration yet.
“The first place I visited here was Millmount Museum, and I found It fascinating, and then discovered wonderful places like Magdalene Tower, St Laurence’s Gate and the Highlanes,” she says.
“I love to go to pubs like Ollie’s Bar and the Admirals and meet real people from Drogheda.”
Her latest book is a contemporary novel set in the heart of the town. Young married couple Mick and Aélis are expecting a happy occasion but with the bank threatening to seize their home, Mick must make a choice to save his family.
“I used the name of Mick Davies for the main character as a kind of homage to a character in the American TV series ‘Supernatural’, who is played by my favourite Irish actor Adam Fergus,” she adds.
“I haven’t managed to meet him yet, even though I know he was originally born here, but I’m going to the DarkLight convention in Paris in April, so hope to meet him then. It’s funny that I have to go to my homecountry to meet a local man!”
Cynthia’s book may be set in Drogheda, but is written in French, and she has no plans at the moment to translate it into English.
“I don’t think my English is good enough to do that, but you never know, maybe someday,” she laughs.
“I am learning Irish though, which I find really hard, but want to have a few things to say ready for this year’s Fleadh.”
If your French is up to it, Cynthia’s book is on https://publiwiz.com/index.php/catalogue/litterature/ romans/l-enfant-de-drogheda priced €15.