Christopher Menary (pictured above) has just released his debut novel ‘The Coin from the Boyne’. Christopher is a project worker at the Holy Family School Completion programme in Drogheda and he says the young people on the programme were the inspiration for the book.

The Holy family school completion programme supports young people in education to increase their attendance participation and retention and Christopher says characters in his book are a mash up of multiple young people on the programme.

“The idea came though when I told a young dog walker that I was going to write a story about her. I was joking but the idea sat with me and I had to write. The ideas develop from there and they keep you up at night. I had to quickly write every idea that popped into my head.

“The story has completely changed from the first draft but that’s what happens. I urge people who have ever thought about writing to just give it a shot and see what happens. Don’t be afraid to fail. The story will change and develop and you will get better at it with practice.

“It was a hidden dream for years. I didn’t have the confidence to go for it and I didn’t think I’d even fill a few pages. I just went for it one day and put pen to paper and I couldn’t stop. I started in November and pretty quickly filled one copybook and then copybook after copybook got filled and I thought to myself ‘I might have something here’.

“I went over and over it, again and again, and re-wrote parts I wasn’t happy with and before I knew it the book was completed.

“I’m a big believer now in giving everything a go, getting out of your comfort zone and not being afraid to fail. The fear of failure and judgement holds people back unfortunately. I was nervous about putting myself out there but happy now that I did.

“The book is aimed primarily at 9-13 year olds but older teenagers and even adults will enjoy the mystery and magic of this adventure. One of the most daunting parts of the whole thing was reading the book to my son Noah who is nine years of age.

“Thankfully he gave it the thumbs up and said he loved the mystery of it as well as the historical parts!”

The themes running through the book are history, Irish mythology and adventure. After finding an ancient coin in the Boyne River, Carragh and Noah take on a quest while also navigating their own personal and interpersonal challenges such as grief, additional needs, low self-esteem and difficulties at home.

Christopher was keen to keep the setting of the book local and to promote the wonderful historical buildings and monuments in the Boyne Valley.

“I wanted to enchant Drogheda and the Boyne valley. There are some great historical buildings and monuments here. I wanted to bring the reader’s attention to the area that it deserves.

“I have to thank students from St. Oliver’s Community College Senan Kerrigan, Sofija Stepanovaa and Cody McCreedy and Lucy Poznanski for the brilliant illustrations and Maxine Quigley at Creative Customs for the front and back cover art.

Also huge thanks to Nicola Kearns at Butterfly Books publishers and www.Leitrimwritingcottage.com for her excellent assessment, editing, proofreading, formatting, publishing and overall guidance and support throughout the process,” added Christopher.

"Thanks also to Students from St Olivers and staff members Trudy Rossiter, Fintan Harmon, Anita Toner, Aoife Torris and Luke Healy for their help with early read throughs."

Christopher’s brand new debut novel ‘The coin from the boyne’ is available from Academy books in Southgate Shopping Centre, Roe River Books in Dundalk and online via Amazon.