Double book launch for An Rós Fiáin and Lugh and the Fortress of the Gods
Bradan Press has two upcoming book launches this month: a double book launch for An Rós Fiáin and Lugh and the Fortress of the Gods in Halifax sponsored by the Irish Association of Nova Scotia – An Cumann, and a launch for Catastrophe at the Christmas Ceilidh at the public library in Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Both book launch events are free and open to the public. Join us in person or in spirit!
The double book launch for the Irish-language graphic novel An Rós Fiáin and the bilingual English-Irish children’s book Lugh and the Fortress of the Gods will take place Sunday, November 12 at 6pm at Halifax’s Old Triangle Ale House, sponsored by The Irish Association of Nova Scotia – An Cumann. Please click “Interested” or RSVP on the Facebook event to help us spread the word!
Join us upstairs in the Seanchaí Room for short talks about the history research that went into An Rós Fiáin and the significance of its main character, Eliza Day / Éilís Ní Dheágha. This will be followed by a participatory read-aloud of the children’s book Lugh and the Fortress of the Gods in English and Irish, and perhaps an Irish song or two! Special guests include An Rós Fiáin author Nicola R. White and editor Tim Hanley, Lugh illustrator Kyla Williams, and publisher Emily McEwan. Attendees are welcome to purchase food and drink.
An Rós Fiáin is an Irish-language graphic novel based on the translation of the indie comic book series Wild Rose. Set in rural Ireland and London in 1790, An Rós Fiáin reimagines a haunting Appalachian-Irish murder ballad as a tale of love and revenge. When Eliza Day is seduced and betrayed by a wealthy English lover, she soon finds out that the restrictive society in which she lives has no place for defiant women who break with convention. With the help of Adam Stone, a free Black man, Eliza has a chance to make a new life for herself after the loss of her innocence – but to do so, she will have to be braver than she could ever have imagined. This graphic novel contains mature themes and is recommended for ages 15 and older.
Lugh and the Fortress of the Gods is an Irish myth is retold as a participation story with action words and gestures, making it perfect for reading aloud. The book also helps introduce children to the Irish language. Three versions of the story are included: the first in English, the second in English with action words in Irish, and the third version entirely in Irish for Irish-language learners. The gestures corresponding to the action words are the same in all three versions, acting as a bridge from English to Irish. With engaging black-and-white illustrations by Kyla Williams, the illustrator of Fionn MacCool and the Salmon of Knowledge.
Catastrophe at the Christmas Ceilidh Book Launch
Our book launch for Catastrophe at the Christmas Ceilidh will take place on St. Andrew’s Day, Thursday, November 30 at 6pm at the Kennebecasis Public Library / Bibliothèque publique de Kennebecasis in Quispamsis, New Brunswick. Join author Riel Nason for the launch of this sequel to the award-winning Disaster at the Highland Games, illustrated by Nathasha Pilotte of St. John, NB. Featuring performances by special guests the Forever Highland Dancers, door prize draws and a book reading and signing! Please RSVP or click “Interested” on the Facebook event to help us spread the word.
Catastrophe at the Christmas Ceilidh is a colourful holiday sequel to Disaster at the Highland Games. It’s December, and Kate the Highland dancer is now excited to perform her first solo in the Christmas ceilidh. But as she waits her turn backstage, Kate’s imagination runs wild. She pictures every possible mishap in vivid detail, from forgetting her choreography to knocking over the Christmas tree. Will she remember the advice of her dance teacher in time to prevent a catastrophe at the Christmas ceilidh? Rhyming verse and whimsical watercolour illustrations provide a reassuring message for every dance student, young and old.
Please check in with our Facebook and Instagram for updates! If you can’t make it to either launch, view and purchase all three books on our website.