Paul B McNulty
My apprenticeship in writing commenced at University College Dublin where I edited an engineering magazine "The Anvil." Afflicted with wanderlust, I travelled west to Ohio State and MIT to continue my studies to master's and doctoral level. While in Boston, my interest in history unfolded through participation in the Committee for Justice in Northern Ireland and in the anti-Vietnam war movement. On return to Ireland, I honed my writing skills, publishing scientific papers as well as writing on food-related and political issues in the popular media.
Following a career in Biosystems Engineering at UCD, I revisited my historical interest by studying "The genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches who settled in Galway." This led to the discovery of a treasure-trove of stories that inspired me to write historical novels based on real events in 18th century Ireland. These include "Spellbound by Sibella," "The Abduction of Anne O’Donel" and "A Story of the Bodkin Murders" each published by Club Lighthouse CLP, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Each novel is available on Amazon in print and e-book format. Each has received commendation in the William Faulkner Novel Competitions, New Orleans in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. I have also published a novella, "A Rebel Romance" in 2014 with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Critiques from a writer's group, The Corner Table, of which I am a founding member, guide my writing.
My experience with novel writing inspired me to write a play based on an extract from my first novel, "Spellbound by Sibella." UCD Dramatic Society included a reading of my play in their Theatre Festival in November 2014. More recently, it has received favourable reviews from the Theatre Development Centre, Cork. I have also completed a draft of a second play based on an extract from my novel, "The Abduction of Anne O’Donel." In response to a call from the UCD Dramsoc Mini Plays Festival, I submitted a 5 minute play, "Elopement," which was staged on 14-16 October 2015. My third play "1798: A Rebel Romance" was staged as part of the Semester 3 programme of UCD Dramsoc on 18-22 April 2016. I have completed a first draft of my fourth play "The Bodkin Murders" in the format of a court-room drama. In my fifth play, I revisited, "Spellbound by Sibella," in a modern campus setting, "Hijinks in Hibernia," but including five characters inspired by classical Grecian counterparts.
Invited Lectures by Paul B McNulty have included: 1. Fulbright Lecture: "Genealogy of Anglo-Norman Lynches who Settled in Galway" Thursday, 5 March 2015, 7.30 pm, Lynch Theatre, O’Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, Dublin 4, chaired by Professor Art Cosgrove, President of UCD (1994-2003.) and supported by the Fulbright Alumni Engagement Fund.
2. Progression of the Anglo-Norman Lynches in Mayo, Chair: Brian Hoban National Heritage Week Seminar, Drum Inn, Clogher Co Mayo 8 pm, Friday, August 25, 2017.
4. Foundation Stones in Irish Genealogy: The Anglo-Norman Lynches and related research. Annaghdown Heritage Society, Corrandulla, Co Galway, February 7, 2020.
I live in Dublin with my wife, three children and three grandchildren. The wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara inspires my writing. Links to social media include Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Address: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Following a career in Biosystems Engineering at UCD, I revisited my historical interest by studying "The genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches who settled in Galway." This led to the discovery of a treasure-trove of stories that inspired me to write historical novels based on real events in 18th century Ireland. These include "Spellbound by Sibella," "The Abduction of Anne O’Donel" and "A Story of the Bodkin Murders" each published by Club Lighthouse CLP, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Each novel is available on Amazon in print and e-book format. Each has received commendation in the William Faulkner Novel Competitions, New Orleans in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. I have also published a novella, "A Rebel Romance" in 2014 with CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Critiques from a writer's group, The Corner Table, of which I am a founding member, guide my writing.
My experience with novel writing inspired me to write a play based on an extract from my first novel, "Spellbound by Sibella." UCD Dramatic Society included a reading of my play in their Theatre Festival in November 2014. More recently, it has received favourable reviews from the Theatre Development Centre, Cork. I have also completed a draft of a second play based on an extract from my novel, "The Abduction of Anne O’Donel." In response to a call from the UCD Dramsoc Mini Plays Festival, I submitted a 5 minute play, "Elopement," which was staged on 14-16 October 2015. My third play "1798: A Rebel Romance" was staged as part of the Semester 3 programme of UCD Dramsoc on 18-22 April 2016. I have completed a first draft of my fourth play "The Bodkin Murders" in the format of a court-room drama. In my fifth play, I revisited, "Spellbound by Sibella," in a modern campus setting, "Hijinks in Hibernia," but including five characters inspired by classical Grecian counterparts.
Invited Lectures by Paul B McNulty have included: 1. Fulbright Lecture: "Genealogy of Anglo-Norman Lynches who Settled in Galway" Thursday, 5 March 2015, 7.30 pm, Lynch Theatre, O’Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, Dublin 4, chaired by Professor Art Cosgrove, President of UCD (1994-2003.) and supported by the Fulbright Alumni Engagement Fund.
2. Progression of the Anglo-Norman Lynches in Mayo, Chair: Brian Hoban National Heritage Week Seminar, Drum Inn, Clogher Co Mayo 8 pm, Friday, August 25, 2017.
4. Foundation Stones in Irish Genealogy: The Anglo-Norman Lynches and related research. Annaghdown Heritage Society, Corrandulla, Co Galway, February 7, 2020.
I live in Dublin with my wife, three children and three grandchildren. The wild splendour of Mayo and Connemara inspires my writing. Links to social media include Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Address: Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
less
InterestsView All (11)
Uploads
Papers by Paul B McNulty
Where a letter attracted attention from more than one newspaper, I have indicated such at the end of each submission. Variations in the title of the letter chosen by different editors are highlighted. I have standardized the layout of text as far as possible to enhance the style of presentation. Some letters that were submitted but not published are included where the content provided a fuller context. Uncertainties in detail are denoted by a question mark ? I have resisted the temptation to cast a cold eye on my ramblings in the belief that they stand better alone and unadorned. Should my contributions stimulate fresh thinking on contentious issues, I shall rest satisfied.
Based on a true story, this historical novel explores a tale of treachery, greed and romance in 18th century Ireland.
In an attempt to discredit him in Anne’s eyes, Brecknock accuses Jasper of philandering, and when this does not succeed, he orchestrates an attempt on Jasper’s life. Frustrated by his failure to woo Anne, Brecknock lures her out of her house late at night using a letter forged with Jasper’s signature. Expecting to meet her lover, Anne is abducted by four masked horsemen and taken to a remote island on Lough Conn. She is held prisoner by the Mitchell family who are under threat of eviction should she escape.
Brecknock visits Anne on the island, still believing he can persuade her to marry him. He appeals to her intellect, introducing her to the world of letters through stories of romance, politics, Evangelicalism and alchemy. Believing that Jasper will find her, Anne plays a dangerous game: trying to convince Brecknock that his suit may have some hope, while delaying her agreement to marry him. Despite Jasper's ceaseless searching, time is running out for her. Brecknock’s increasingly irrational behaviour drives her to plan an escape from the island. When this fails, she persuades Mitchell’s daughter, SALLY, to take a message to Jasper. Incensed by her attempts to frustrate him, Brecknock is determined to have Anne, willingly or not. Having finally rejected his proposal of marriage, she prepares to fight for her virtue, and perhaps her life."
Despite himself, Harry falls for Sibella and following a night of passion she becomes pregnant. Her plight is desperate. They elope to his mother's home in Suffolk in 1774 where Harry persuades a solicitor to confirm his freedom to marry. Sibella's hopes are dashed at the altar when a letter from Ireland denies Harry's right to marry. Harry promises to marry her once his annulment comes through. Although distraught, Sibella recovers to focus on her pregnancy. Her mood lifts when she gives birth to a healthy boy, MICHAEL.
Having returned to Balla, County Mayo, Harry becomes the 7th Baronet after his father dies. Good fortune follows when Sir Harry is elected to the Irish Parliament and Sibella delivers twin girls, CECILIA and Mary Anne. In the following years, Sibella gives birth to her second son, John, and after a further pregnancy, to her third daughter, Bridget.
During this time, Harry establishes the Balla Volunteers to protect Ireland from invasion. Lady Harriett assists him in this task much to the chagrin of Sibella. Worse is to follow when Sibella intercepts a letter from JAMES CUFFE MP, a trustee to Harry's estate. In the letter, Cuffe urges Harry to abandon "that woman" and marry Lady Harriett now that he is free to do so.
Sibella is terrified and seeks the advice of the witch, JUDY HOLIAN, who recommends the spancel, a love charm guaranteed to spellbind Harry for life. Aided by Judy, Sibella makes a spancel from a strip of skin cut from a corpse initially unaware that the body is that of Harry's illegitimate daughter, Ellen Colgan. Sibella must ensure that Harry never finds out the source of the spancel or he would surely abandon her.
Haunted by the spectre of witchcraft, Sibella's position is precarious. Her epic struggle for survival is interwoven against a background of intrigue, rebellion and romance. This extraordinary story is based on real events in 18th century Ireland.
However, political controversy intervened when Henry Lynch, 3rd Bt, was attainted of high treason following the defeat of James II at the Battle of the Boyne. Personal controversy followed with the liaison of Henry Lynch-Blosse, 7th Bt with the alluring Sibella Cottle which scandalized the community. The story has been outlined by the author in his historical novel, "Spellbound by Sibella."
The Lynch-Blosses continued to serve in Ireland until the purchase of their estate of 18,566 acres by the Congested District’s Board in 1909 for £154,000. Thereafter, the family settled in Wales and later in England. The current incumbent is Richard Hely Lynch-Blosse, 17th Bt, a general practitioner in Oxfordshire.
The Anglo-Norman Lynches who settled in Galway have been connected to famous people and events including the Bodkin massacre, Che Guevara, James II, Richard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin MP, Grace O’Malley, Patrick Sarsfield and Bram Stoker. These connections are illustrated in pedigree charts derived from a BrothersKeeper.com database of 2843 individuals. The database also includes members of the extended family of the author.
McNulty bolsters his case by reference to ethnicity charts based on genetic profiling, by ancestral charts, by a fragment of the 1821 Census, and by the rich legacy of epic stories celebrated in song, stage and screen throughout the course of Irish history.
This lecture is scheduled for delivery on Thursday, 5 March 2015 at 7.30 pm in the Lynch Theatre, O’Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin (UCD), Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland under the chairmanship of Professor Art Cosgrove, President of UCD from 1994 through 2003. The event is supported by the Fulbright Alumni Engagement Fund
Paul McNulty is a Fulbright Scholar and Alumnus of UCD, Ohio State and MIT. He served on the academic staff at UCD from 1972-2005 and since retirement has studied Genealogy/Family History and Creative Writing. His diploma project,The Genealogy of the Anglo-Norman Lynches who Settled in Galway, was published in the Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society in 2010. Paul has written two historical novels, Spellbound by Sibella, and The Abduction of Anne O’Donel, inspired by his research in genealogy. Both have been finalists in the William Faulkner Novel Competitions in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and have been published by Club Lighthouse CLP, Edmonton, Alberta.
In contrast, the Anglo-Norman Burkes/Bourkes were more successful in integrating with their Gaelic cousins as evidenced by their higher level of integratio. Another notable example includes the election of Mary Robinson (otherwise Bourke) of Ballina to the Presidency of Ireland in 1990. Anglo-Norman descendants of more humble means, including the Prendergasts and Stauntons have also integrated successfully into Irish society.
Our online journal has been successful: we have seen a steady increase in readership, article submissions, and citations to our published articles. Our reputation and visibility in the academic community continues to broaden, and our honorary editorial board constantly reassesses and revises the editorial process to ensure the most efficient and satisfying experience for both authors and staff. The journal aspires to be vibrant, engaging and accessible, and at the same time integrative and challenging. All submitted papers, however, will be subject to the journal’s double-blind review process. On request, we have taken an initiative to upload original research papers which have not been published elsewhere. Interested researchers may also opt to have their works printed in the quarterly research journal soon to be launched. Papers are also invited for publication in our online/printed journal.