As the evening mystic fog fell over the sun setting valley of the sacred stone circle near the Trenmór homestead, Bodhmall appears from the forest on foot alongside the mist blanket covered pond with her staff and trappings. The air was different from any other time in this place and the sense of sadness was in her for her brother and dear friend as they will celebrate alone with no others. The crow of Mórrígan from a branch above called out three times as Bodhmall enters the 12 strong standing stone circle where the ancient spirits of the past are present and watching. This was a witnessed milestone of marriage between a bloodlineto The Tuatha dé in Murine Muncháem and bloodline to The Gaelin Cumhaill Mac Trenmór. Bodhmall waits in the midst and from Ailm (the West) Muirne arrives, and at the same time from hÚath (the East) Cumhaill arrives, both holding a gift for each other. Cumhaill’s gift is a triple braided bronze torc and Muirne has a matching bracelet for her loving warrior. She looks at him as she steps into the circle from behind the tall Ailm stone and smiles at him as they walk toward Bodhmallat the middle. Cumhaill gently places the torc around the beautiful long neck of Muirne, and she looks at him with clear glass hazel & green coloured eyes.
Today we talk about Gods fighting men. The secret union, a book by Jason Ó Fionnáin published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Jason Ó Fionnáin to get to know him better and where he found the inspiration to write his book Gods fighting men. The secret union.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this story?
A question I’ve been asked many times that I could spend hours talking about as the inspiration to write this story has come from a lifetime of learning from my own family surname, it’s heritage and the lineage connected to this ancient and sacred land to the many years of learning through historical scripture & folklore books like The Scholars Prime, Leabhar Gabhala The Conquests of Irealnd, The Legends and Myths of Ireland written by great writers like Jane Wilde, T.W. Rolleston, Douglas Hyde, Lady Gregory, Murphy, Gerard and even the adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain inspired my notes and drawings since I was a boy and now. The Secret Union developed from a script I wrote for a film three years ago and due to the pandemic fortunately transformed into a novel series. The first book of nine and the beginning of the Gaelic saga that has consumed my life.
- What would you like to hear from your readers?
I guess I would like to hear that it has taken readers to an ancient time in Ireland and that they enjoyed the beginning of the adventure and that they look forward to book two. As my first book I’m not expecting much praise but I would like to think I connected with readers and that they are exited as much as I am about the adventure ahead.
- Is there a book you are particularly attached to and that has taught you something?
I can’t say that there is any book in particular that I am attached to as I research multiples of Gaelic Irish literature and historical scriptures but if I was to choose it would probably be “The book of Invasions and The Scholars Primer” especially as it has a very special and sacred descriptions that mean a lot to me and my name sake.
- How did it feel to see your first book published?
Ah wow, well that I must say was an awesome day and when I received the email from Europe Books after two other disappointing attempts I was delighted and very excited for the book and the film project. I can finally share the world I’ve carried in my head for so many years with everyone who wished to read. It is the beginning of a professional relationship I look forward and happy and thankful they are on this adventurous journey with me.
- Are you already working on a new project?
I am indeed always learning, always working on the project and the film version of the book. I have recently finished book two “The Game” and currently writing on book three. I’m very much exited and can’t wait to work with the three very talented O’Neill sisters early spring 2022 (the year of the harp) our sovereignty with the release of the song I wrote for The Secret Union titled “Éire’s Call-Come Home My Love”. I hope it reaches everyone in the world and to all who feel a little lost and missing a loved one or home. I’m also looking forward to the book tour and my first experience with book signings and travelling to meet and connect with readers and authors at exhibitions and fairs etc.. exciting times ahead for sure!
Europe Books thanks the author Jason Ó Fionnáin once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book Gods fighting men. The secret union. We wish him the best of luck for his book and for his future works.
To you, my dear reader, I wish you that you could go back to the ancient time in Ireland and live the adventure of the protagonists as you were one of them.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy this adventurous Irish reading!
Your editor!