Debut offering from Tipp author

Inspired by Irish mythology

Irish folklore is an intrinsic element of this island’s heritage. Myths, legends and stories pervade the landscape, often carrying with them messages and themes that continue to resonate right through to the present day. That is part of the reason why one Tipperary writer is attempting to breathe new life into this mystical dimension, so that he himself can add to Ireland’s vast collection of stories and tales.

Originally a native of Ballywilliam outside Nenagh but now living in Ardcroney, Mark Corrigan comes across as creative, capable and authentic. The 36-year-old will release his debut novel, ‘The Devil’s Heirloom’, on August 10, but this is not his first foray into writing. He has spent the past couple of years penning short stories and composing modules for table-top games such as Dungeons & Dragons. As an environmental science graduate who works full-time in the pharmaceuticals sector, you might wonder where his literary streak comes from? Talking to Mark, it’s clear that it is innate. “Writing is where my true passion is,” he explains. “I’ve been into writing stories and creating worlds since I was small.”

In this instance, the world he has created is both inspired by Irish mythology and crafted with a personal touch. “It’s a Gothic horror novel set in County Clare and it draws heavily on Irish folklore,” Mark says. “It follows two characters, Daniel and Maeve, who discover that some of Ireland’s oldest legends may not be legends at all.” Naturally, the first thing that strikes you about the book is the Satanic title. An heirloom is an object or possession that has been passed down through family members for generations. The heirloom in this case is a remote estate with a manor known as Glenmór Hall, located in a land “steeped in silence, superstition and generations of sacrifice”. Dark forces come into play, and it isn’t long before Daniel realises that the inheritance he has received is tied to something “far older and far more dangerous than he could have imagined”. The inexplicable nature of these forces is, in many ways, chilling, but that is part of what draws Mark to Irish mythology, and indeed to Gothic horror.

“Really, when you boil it down, it’s about exploring the unknown,” he says. “Irish folklore is full of stories about things people could never really explain. Irish myths are filled with lessons, warnings, ancient places, mysterious figures. And Gothic horror just felt like a perfect way to bring those traditions to a modern novel.”

Foxford Press

An admirer of writer Stephen King and his ability to “weave extreme plot-lines into the real world”, Mark is looking forward to seeing The Devil’s Heirloom hit the shelves of local bookshops in the region. In conjunction with the novel, the Ardcroney resident has also established his own independent publishing imprint named Foxford Press, which is focused on “atmospheric fiction, character-driven storytelling and stories inspired by folklore”. The fact that he would launch such a venture indicates just how passionate he is, but it also suggests a certain level of ambition. The Devil’s Heirloom might be his first novel, but it certainly won’t be his last. “I decided I wanted to create something that could continue beyond just a single novel, so Foxford Press was founded to publish stories about Irish folklore and heritage, and my hope is that it becomes a home for many stories in the years ahead. I’m not just stopping at one,” he emphasises.

He is already “a good six chapters into that second book” and he says that once again, the storyline is based around another myth. Irish mythology is usually grouped into different cycles, each relating to the figures and the narratives they describe. Mark is only at the beginning of his cycle, but you sense that his stories could be every bit as deep and powerful as the mythic tales passed down through Irish history for millenia.