Castlerea native steps into the world of children’s books with ‘Bowey Land’

Breda Lohan Hanley, who has just written her first book, ‘Bowey Land’, laughs when she thinks back to her school days, in the classroom, not listening to the teacher but caught up in some make-believe adventure inside her head.

“I was always in some far off place in school and when I was asked a question, friends would have to nudge me to bring me back to earth,” said the Castlerea native now living in Ballymoe. From a young age, she always was scribbling stories and many years later, that vivid imagination has stood her in good stead with the publication of a children’s adventure book.

The story centres on two siblings Misty and Toby who get wrapped up in a magical adventure in another world called ‘Bowey Land’ where the natives need their help. “The village people wear bows on their clothes as a mark of respect for rainbows because they love the rainbows,” explains Breda.

There is a strong environmental message running through the storyline as the rainbows are rapidly disappearing due to the fresh water being lost from the rivers. This presents a mystery for the two children to solve, and there is big reveal at the end of the story.

Breda is first cousins of the legendary Clare hurlers, Brian and Frank and her own love of hurling is weaved into the storyline where Misty and Toby bring their hurleys into the other world, teaching the villagers how to play hurling.

Her own father Joe, who worked as a psychiatric nurse, was a noted hurler for Roscommon and she was delighted that he got to read her children’s story before he passed away in February of this year.

Breda is so grateful to so many people who helped contribute towards the publication of the book, including sons, Kevin and Declan, graphic designer Patrick Hayes, publisher Triest Press in Castlerea and her publicist, Joanne Jordan. “I tried to keep it all local when it came to putting the book together,” she said.

She is thrilled so far with the reaction to the book, which is aimed at children up to 12 years of age. “I'm getting great feedback from parents that the kids want to go to bed a little bit earlier because of the story. They said they having no trouble getting the kids to bed because they want to know what happens next!” ‘Bowey land’ looks like just the beginning of Breda’s foray into published writing. “I have two more books in my head so I’m looking forward to those,” she said.

*‘Bowey Land’, in A4 format and 55 pages long, is available at a number of local outlets, including Mace Castlerea, Wispy’s Castlerea, Sue’s Boutique Castlerea, Mulvihill’s Castlerea, Corrib Oil Castlerea, Corrib Oil Roscommon, The Gem store Ballyhaunis, and SuperValu Ballyhaunis. The book can also be ordered by messaging the ‘Bowey Land by Breda Lohan-Hanley’ Facebook page or contacting Breda on 087 2646692.