'The Cry of the Sebac', new novel by Irish writer Anthony Murphy, has just been published on Amazon Kindle

It gives me great pleasure to announce that my new novel, 'The Cry of the Sebac', has just been published on Amazon Kindle.

I am the Sebac Gaoth,
the Hawk on the Wind,
one who has lived beyond memory.
I have listened to the tune of the earth
since before time began
but the music of the world grows sad.

A 12-year-old boy called Fintan meets a mysterious talking bird who claims to have lived forever. The bird, who describes himself as the Sebac Gaoth (the Hawk on the Wind), wants to warn the boy about the danger facing mankind, and to bring him to a fantastic revelation about his own origins and destiny.

The Sebac is a manifestation of ancient wisdom. In the Irish mythic tradition, the hawk appears as a shamanic presence, a voice from the ancient world. The boy represents innocence, but Fintan is about to come of age, and his experiences with the Sebac mark an initiation of sorts, a transition from ordinary mortal to the heroic figure of salvation that mankind desperately needs.

But what can one boy do in the face of such tremendous adversity?

As he journeys through mind and spirit and cosmos, the boy meets several of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Prophecy says they will help man in one final battle against darkness. But the Dananns have their own ideas about who the Samildánach (the Many-Gifted) is, and they want to reveal the one who will shine light into the darkest places and battle to prevent the fall of mankind.

You can purchase the novel on Amazon.com here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cry-Sebac-Anthony-Murphy-ebook/dp/B01DE75Z50/

And on Amazon.co.uk here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cry-Sebac-Anthony-Murphy-ebook/dp/B01DE75Z50/

You might also want to check out my author page on Amazon, and indeed my other books:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B001JOY804

The book has its own website which you can view here:
http://thecryofthesebac.blogspot.com

Land of the Ever-Living Ones printed copies arrive

Having already been published on Amazon Kindle, 'Land of the Ever-Living Ones' has arrived at my home in printed form! I received copies from the printer in Dublin on Friday evening. The book will be launched in The Barbican Centre, Drogheda, next Friday, November 29th at 7.30pm. The launch is being performed by Róisín Fitzpatrick, 'The Artist of the Light', and there will be music by renowned traditional musician Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. I look forward to seeing you there.

For the above photograph, I decided to compare my new novella (yes, it's my first work of fiction!) with my two big non-fiction books, 'Island of the Setting Sun' and 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality'. I think they are three striking and well-designed covers. They are also quite vivid, and the three colour schemes vary quite a lot. After the launch, printed copies will be available through www.mythicalireland.com

In the meantime, you can learn more about Land of the Ever-Living Ones on its official blog page. You might also visit my author page on Goodreads, and you can also visit the new book's Facebook page here.

My new book, Land of the Ever-Living Ones

I am making my first foray into the world of fiction, with my new novella, 'Land of the Ever-Living Ones', which is being published in November 2013.

The cover of my new book, Land of the
Ever-Living Ones, a work of fiction.

Land of the Ever-Living Ones is an extraordinary dialogue between an old man and a young boy that reaches into cosmic and spiritual realms. In one fireside conversation, they explore the universe with discussion about many different things, including natural phenomena, the mysteries of life and the question of what happens to us when we die.

The old man (sean-draoi) has gained much knowledge and wisdom during his life, and readily imparts it to the eager young boy, who is full of questions.

Tír na mBeo (Land of the Ever Living Ones) was an ancient Irish name for the otherworld, the home of deities, spirits and ancestors. It was believed to be a place where there is no sickness or old age and where happiness lasts forever. In this wide-ranging conversation, the man takes the boy on a journey into his own ancestral past, and through lesson, metaphor, story and dream, creates for him a stunning insight into his spiritual existence and his quest for eternity.

The journey is a magical and powerful one, evoking both ecstasy and melancholy, for lost ancestors, for the frailties of mankind, and for the sometimes harsh lessons of worldly life. However, it is an optimistic tale, one that stirs up great hope for the eventual destiny of the boy, and for all his kin.
Its central message is one of hope – a reminder that light will always emerge out of the darkness, and that all our struggles on this earth are not in vain.

The book will be published in printed form and also as an eBook on the Amazon Kindle platform. Because I am publishing this book myself, there are obviously considerable costs attached to that. If you would like to make a donation to help me bring this work to the public it would be appreciated greatly.

A "master storyteller" lures readers into mysterious past

A new review of 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality' has been published by Tinteán, an Irish heritage magazine in Australia. The review is hugely positive. Here are some extracts (you can read the whole review by following this link):

Far removed from the usual dry language of archaeology, this book shows Anthony Murphy as a master storyteller who is adept at luring the reader with him into the mysterious past.

Modern astronomers argue that, without pens, paper and calculators, ancient peoples could not have followed other complex star or moon cycles, but Murphy makes a good case that they probably could have done and would have found them useful.  

Other issues such as a possible use of the powerful tunnel/light motif in shamanistic ceremonials concerned with death and rebirth are explored by Murphy, but probably the strangest tale about Newgrange that he tells concerns George William Russell’s ‘Dream of Angus Oge’.

Finally Murphy explains the importance of Newgrange in his own spiritual journey after the destruction of the 9/11 terrorist attacks shook his faith in humanity. He has visited the site many times, ultimately winning a place among the select few who now witness the winter solstice within the monument today.

For anyone who has visited the site, or is interested in the ancient history of Ireland, this would be a valuable book with its many illustrations and accessible, but highly scholarly, explanations.

Murphy draws many lessons from the building of Newgrange that are important to the difficulties faced by modern societies, particularly Ireland.

I have extended my thanks to the magazine editor and the review author. See the whole review on the website of Tinteán magazine.

Archaeology Ireland magazine gives book a positive review

Archaeology Ireland magazine has published a very positive review of 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality'. The publication features regular book reviews, which in general are carried out by the magazine's editor, archaeologist Tom Condit. The following is the text of the review, which was carried in their summer 2013 issue:

Newgrange at sunset by Anthony Murphy

Newgrange – Monument to Immortality (The Liffey Press, pb, €24.95) is the title of a new book by journalist, writer, photographer and amateur astronomer Anthony Murphy. Inspired by the scale and symbolism of Newgrange, Murphy expresses his Newgrange story in an engaging text throughout the boo. He states, ‘As long as we have questions about Newgrange, we will continue to explore it, and we will carry on trying to quench our thirst for knowledge’.

Readable and interesting, this publication on Newgrange takes us beyond archaeology into some of the more interesting characteristics of the mound that provoke a whole range of reactions from those who get caught in its web of mystique.

Murphy examines the background to the construction of the great mound and passage tomb, with particular emphasis on the community effort and technical skills that would have been required in its construction.

The importance of the celestial movements and the annual cycle of the sun are of particular significance, and several chapters are devoted to this aspect of the tomb’s construction. In subsequent chapters the author explores the ‘womb or tomb?’ theme, drawing attention to the questions concerning the function of such tombs that go beyond burial and disposal of the dead.

Newgrange is still a meaningful place for modern people, who are attracted to its sense of spirituality. Murphy develops this theme further in discussing the accounts of people who have described their own ‘near death experiences’, where lights at the end of tunnels are commonly reported (the metaphor for death is a strong one when seen in this context!).

Subsequent chapters on cave myths and the author’s own experience in the tomb at solstice provide an intriguing juxtaposition of ancient accounts from the past and the modern-day reality of visiting the interior of Newgrange. The book itself is beautifully produced and illustrated throughout with high-quality colour images.

Sean Boylan launches Newgrange book in Navan

Legendary GAA manager and Meath man Sean Boylan launched 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality' in the aptly named Newgrange Hotel in Navan last night, Wednesday November 14th.

Sean Boylan with Anthony Murphy at the Meath
launch of Newgrange: Monument to Immortality

Mr. Boylan gave a very beautiful endorsement of the book, which he had read from cover to cover and found very interesting and rewarding. He said he hoped to see the book in every school and in every library in Ireland. He seemed really touched by it.

Newgrange: Monument to Immortality has a message for our time. I reiterated my belief that its message is an eternal one, that no matter what the circumstances the country finds itself in, the monument and the mythology have a current relevance.

Tea, coffee, drinks and sandwiches were laid on for those who turned up on the night. The launch was organised by my father, Paul Murphy, who has always been a devoted supporter of my endeavours, and to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude.

Newgrange: Monument to Immortality is available in all good bookshops now and can be ordered direct from the publisher at http://www.theliffeypress.com/newgrange-monument-to-immortality.html

Newgrange book described as "the work of a spiritual warrior"

Dolores Whelan, author of 'Ever Ancient, Ever New' and an expert on Celtic spirituality, said the following at the launch of Newgrange: Monument to Immortality at The Barbican Centre, Drogheda, on Friday, 9th November 2012.

Anthony's new book on Newgrange offers the reader many different pathways back into the great ancient spiritual heritage of his country.

Newgrange: Monument to Immortality author Anthony Murphy with Dolores Whelan at the book launch in Drogheda

For people like Anthony, newgrange is a very alive, vibrant place and he poses the question, "Can we learn something about why it was built, what its importance was, why it has survived not only as a physical structure but as a dimension of the human psyche. And what, if any, message might it have for us 21st Century humans?

Having established the archaeological foundations he opens up the conversation to a wider space, which includes the cosmological dimensions of Newgrange and the spiritual relevance of this mystical place. If we are to find this knowledge we must spend quiet time there. We must move into an inner space where it would be possible for the Gods and Goddesses who resided in Newgrange come to meet us.

This book explores the archaeology, the astronomy, the spirituality and the mystery of Newgrange. It moves away from the safe options and becomes expansive in the questions it poses.

This book is also a very personal statement, reflecting Anthony's own spiritual journey, his struggles, his questions, his dark night of the soul, and again he does not seek to offer definitive answers but hints at possibilities.

Anthony suggests the defeat of the Tuatha Dé Danann at the hands of the Milesians is at the root of the wasteland that is Western culture, a view shared by the late John Moriarty.

This significant book reflects for me a person who has access to large regions of the intelligence of the universe within themselves, a person who has expanded beyond the confines of the rigid left brain and is in contact with heart knowledge, someone who has allowed themselves to become a conduit for the energies of Newgrange to flow out into the wider world in 2012.

This book is big, courageous, magical, challenging and transformative! This book celebrates our ancestors, not as dead people, but as an integral aspect of ourselves that is longing to be reunited in our hearts.

In summary, 'Newgrange: Monument to Immortality' is the work of a spiritual warrior, who might have been described in the following Triad from our tradition:

A person who has the Eye to see what is

The Heart to feel what is and the courage that dares to follow

Newgrange book should be available in the bookshops this week

I am glad to report that my new book, Newgrange: Monument to Immortality, has arrived in Ireland and should be available in the bookshops this week.
The books arrived from the printer the other day and will now filter out to all the shops from the distributor. If you are unable to locate a copy in your local bookshop, please let me know by email at mythicalireland@gmail.com. Alternatively, the book can be ordered directly from the publisher, The Liffey Press, from their website or by phone at 00353 (0)1 8511458.

The book will retail at €24.95 and contains 127 colour images, the majority of which were taken by me. If you enjoyed Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers, you will definitely enjoy Newgrange. However, my latest book is a more personal, philosophical and reflective look at our ancient heritage, and in particular what message it might have for us today, in these difficult and unprecedented times.

Newgrange: Monument to Immortality - publication date October 25th

Many people who visit the ancient and magnificent Newgrange monument in the Boyne Valley are driven by some deep longing to connect with their most distant roots. The giant 5,000-year-old megalithic construction evokes awe and wonderment, and often a sense of melancholy for the community of people who created it from stone and earth in the remote past, a people now lost to time.

For the past three centuries, archaeologists, antiquarians, and researchers have been probing Newgrange in the hope of revealing something about its purpose, and something about the mysterious people of the New Stone Age who created giant structures using primitive technology. In this fascinating book, Anthony Murphy shows that Newgrange is not only a uniquely special place, but that its construction was carried out not by a grizzly mob of grunting barbarians, but rather by an advanced agrarian community who had developed keen skills in the sciences of astronomy, engineering and architecture.

Newgrange: Monument to Immortality goes deep into the mind and soul of our neolithic ancestors to better understand what led them to build this remarkable monument. In a deeply moving, poetic and philosophical exploration, Murphy looks beyond the archaeology and the astronomy to reveal a much more profound and sacred vision of a sophisticated people who were driven to create this marvellous testament to their time.

The book has gone to the printer and, all going well, should be available to purchase in late October. To pre-order your copy, visit The Liffey Press website.

Newgrange book can now be pre-ordered from Liffey Press

I am delighted to report that you can now pre-order 'Newgrange - Monument to Immortality' from The Liffey Press. The text of the book was completed a couple of weeks ago and I will shortly deliver the photos. All going well, the book will be published in mid October and will be launched around that time.

At this stage I expect there will be a major launch in Drogheda or the Boyne Valley followed by a number of smaller launches around Ireland. There will probably be a talks tour too, and I have already tentatively agreed a couple of speaking engagements to help promote the book.

This has been in some ways a very personal and philosophical journey for me. This is not a history of Newgrange necessarily. It does cover a lot of the archaeology and the history of exploration of Newgrange, but it is a much broader work in the sense that it looks at spirituality and maybe the reasons why we are so fascinated by ancient sites such as Newgrange. Here is the blurb from the Liffey Press website which sums it up nicely:

Many people who visit the ancient and magnificent Newgrange monument in the Boyne Valley are driven by some deep longing to connect with their most distant roots. The giant 5,000-year-old megalithic construction evokes awe and wonderment, and a keen sense of melancholy for the community of people who created and fashioned it from stone and earth in the remote past, a people now lost to time. For the past two centuries, archaeologists, antiquarians, writers and researchers have been probing Newgrange in the hope of revealing something about its purpose, and something about the mysterious people of the New Stone Age who created giant structures using primitive technology. What has become clear from these investigations is that Newgrange is a uniquely special place, and that its construction was carried out not by a grizzly mob of grunting barbarians, but rather by an advanced agrarian community who had developed keen skills in the sciences of astronomy, engineering and architecture. In Newgrange: Monument to Immortality, writer and researcher Anthony Murphy goes deep into the mind and soul of his neolithic ancestors to attempt to draw forth some answers to these questions. In a deeply moving, poetic and philosophical exploration, he looks beyond the archaeology and the astronomy to reveal a much more profound and sacred vision of the very spirit of the people who were driven to such marvellous and wondrous efforts.

Work progressing on new book - 'Newgrange - Monument to Immortality'

Hello everyone. Anthony Murphy here, co-author of 'Island of the Setting Sun - In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers'. If you haven't already heard, I am working on a new book about Newgrange, titled, 'Newgrange - Monument to Immortality'. All going well, the book will be published by The Liffey Press in October 2012.

This is me when I featured on the History Channel last year as
an expert on the 5,000-year-old monument of Newgrange.

Currently I am completing the text of this new work, which explores Newgrange and its mysteries from many aspects and disciplines, including archaeology, astronomy and spirituality, and encompasses a broad-sweeping and philosophical examination of the big questions about Ireland's most famous monument. The book will contain lots of new colour photographs - none of which have been published before in any other book or on any website. These include photos from inside the passage and chamber on the winter solstice, when the sun shines into the heart of the monument. Here is a blurb about the book:

Many people who visit the ancient and magnificent Newgrange monument in the Boyne Valley are driven by some deep longing to connect with their most distant roots. The giant 5,000-year-old megalithic construction evokes awe and wonderment, and a keen sense of melancholy for the community of people who created it and fashioned it from stone and earth in the remote past, a people now lost to time.

For the past two centuries, archaeologists, antiquarians, writers and researchers have been probing Newgrange in the hope of revealing something about its purpose, and something about the mysterious people of the New Stone Age who created giant structures using primitive technology. What has become clear from these investigations is that Newgrange is a uniquely special place, and that its construction was carried out not by a grizzly mob of grunting barbarians, but rather by an advanced agrarian community who had developed keen skills in the sciences of astronomy, engineering and architecture.

What forces compelled these people to express their cosmology and their sense of place in the landscape in such a truly spectacular feat of physical exertion and diligent scientific observation? What were the factors that drove them to fashion such an indelible memorial to their beliefs? Why did they expend monumental energy to gather hundreds of thousands of tonnes of stones and earth to create edifices that would stand intact for millennia?

In Newgrange - Monument to Immortality, writer and researcher Anthony Murphy goes deep into the mind and soul of his neolithic ancestors to attempt to draw forth some answers to these questions. In a deeply moving, poetic and philosophical exploration, he looks beyond the archaeology and the astronomy to reveal a much more profound and sacred vision of the very spirit of the people who were driven to such marvellous and wondrous efforts.