Lucy’s new book to bring tourism boost
AUTHOR HAS HER OWN ‘GATHERING’ MISSION
A WEXFORD author and her family have made it their mission to bring more tourists from America into Ireland and into Wexford.
Lucy Costigan, from Thomas Street, along with her sister Theresa and her nephew Michael, have come up with a plan that will see a number of tourists come to Ireland from America, and hopefully make it as far as Wexford by 2014.
Lucy’s book ‘Strangest Genius: The Stained Glass of Harry Clarke’ saw her collaborate with her sister and nephew to put together a book on the genius stained-glass window art of Harry Clarke, who was responsible for one of the most intricately detailed windows in Bride Street Church. This book was shortlisted for Best Irish Published Book at the Irish Book Awards 2010.
Following their success on this book, the trio began work on the disappearance of Arthur Kingsley Porter. Kingsley Porter was a millionaire Harvard Professor who moved to Ireland and bought Glenveagh Castle in Donegal.
He had a great interest in Irish history and studied Celtic crosses and artifacts across the country. On 8 July 1933 he disappeared from a fisherman’s hut on Inisboffin and was assumed dead. Although an inquest was carried out, the first in Ireland without a body, numerous sightings of Kingsley Porter were reported all over Europe and as far as India for years afterwards.
The new book has gotten great interest and is even due to make it onto our screens. ‘Well we’ve signed a deal with a company called Lugh Films,’ Lucy said. ‘ They have plans to make a documentary as well as a feature film on the mystery.’
Lucy is also now hoping to attract a number of American tourists who have an interest in seeing some of the places described in the book and some of the country’s fantastic historic sites.
‘A travel company called Martha’s Travel in Chicago has signed up to do ‘ The Arthur Kingsley Porter Book Tour’. The tours will begin to arrive next year and will begin in Donegal. In 2014 we hope to start bringing the tours down to Wexford, taking in sites such as Our Lady’s Island, Bride Street Church and St David’s Well.’
Lucy has received great support for the project nationwide, with Wexford companies such as The Talbot Hotel and Slaneyview Motors coming on board. ‘Well Slaneyview motors are providing us with a car for the project,’ Lucy said, ‘and Dick Walsh and everyone in The Talbot has been very helpful and have given their full support.’
Lucy will be signing copies of her book ‘Glenveagh Mystery: The Life, Times and Disappearance of Arthur Kingsley Porter’ on Monday December 17 at Wexford Book Centre. More information on the project can be found on www.arthurkingsleyporter.com