Octogenarian Marjorie to launch latest book

Nenagh author Marjorie Quarton is just about to launch her latest book, a novel based on a true story of members of family who lived in a mansion outside Nenagh.
The big house that forms the backdrop to much of the story in the new volume - titled 'Peterstown' - is Shanbally House, near Toomevara, which happens to be the current home of the Noel and Bridget Duggan, proprietors of Steeples bookshop and café in Nenagh.
So, it is rather apt that Marjorie has chosen Steeples for the launch of her latest book, which will take place  on Friday, December 13th, at 4pm.
Marjorie  has chosen the award winning poet from Dromineer, Eleanor Hooker, to perform the launch, so it promises to be an enjoyable literary afternoon in Steeples, and the perfect occasion to attend for those who want to buy a book by a local author to read over the festive season.  
In 'Peterstown', Marjorie weaves a story of a very different era, but her novel is nevertheless loosely based on a true story of happenings in Shanbally House, which was built in 1795.
The house changed hands after World War II, fell into disrepair and was eventually sold for what seemed at the time as inevitable demolition. However, to the rescue came Noel and Bridget Duggan who have since restored the building, portrayed as the fictional 'Peterstown' in Marjorie's book.
The story woven by Marjorie in her novel is loosely based on very early inhabitants of the old household, Drusilla and her sister Sarah.
There is Tony who marries Drusilla for her money,  and they have a baby boy, Tom.  Drusilla's father discovers Tony has been borrowing  and not returning money from relations and friends, whereupon Tony is banished to Canada and Drusilla is forbidden to go with him.
Years later, Drusilla hears from Tony, who tells her he has a lovely house, a good job and great neighbours in his adopted country. Drusilla accepts his invitation to join him in Canada, taking 10-year-old Tom with her.  However, it emerges that Tony's house is just a flat, and he is six months in arrears with his rent payments.
The novel portrays how all the lives of the main characters play out in intriguing fashion. There is also an account of how Drusilla finds romance, and eventually moves back to Ireland.
A host of other characters are introduced by the author, who has to date published 17 books, including a bestselling memoir, 'Breakfast the Night Before'.
Her other novels include 'Corporal Jack' and 'No Harp Like my Own'. She has also written books about Border Collie sheepdogs, her first being "One Dog and His Man" published in 1984.
Just two years ago she completed another book, 'Oil and Water: Molly Keane and her World', which was launched in Nenagh. That book traces the rise and fall of the Anglo-Irish country gentry during the lifetime of the novelist Molly Keane, who lived from 1904 to 1996, and whose writings featured the lives of the gentry.
And now in 'Peterstown' we have Marjorie's 18th published book, a writer who has certainly proven to be as prolific as ever she was, despite now approaching her 90th birthday.