A terrific turn-out to launch 'The Groundsmen' in Kildare Town Library at the weekend

By Kim O'Leary

For many authors debuting their novel for the first time the process can be nerve wrecking experience, but Rathangan-based author Lynn Buckle took it all in stride as she launched her gripping Greek mythology inspired family drama “The Groundsmen” in Kildare Town Library on Friday last (26 October).

Kildare Town Library has recently undergone a very modern and sophisticated upgrade, and the library was filled with book lovers eager to snatch up their own copy of the fantastic ‘The Groundsmen’.

Those in attendance at the launch included Kildare South TD for Fianna Fail Fiona O’Loughlin, Julie Duane of the Wordsmiths, Newbridge based author of ‘The Flight of The Wren’ Orla McAlinden, and Lorraine Rowan the manager of Teach Tearmainn a local charity which is the only refuge in Kildare and West Wicklow for women suffering domestic abuse.

Speaking to KildareNow during the book launch, author Lynn Buckle said that she was ‘a little nervous’ about her literary debut but that she was pleased with the good turn-out of well-wishers on the night.

Lynn’s fantastic debut novel ‘The Groundsmen’ has been developed over the last 2 years, and since childhood she has been a keen advocate for equality for women. ‘The Groundsmen’ deals with themes including the newly criminalized behavior of “coercive control” and domestic violence. The novel is published by Epoque Press and it tells the fictious yet riveting story of a dysfunctional family tainted by a darkly disturbing past, through the eyes of 5 family members as they try to rise above their dark past.

Lynn went to Warwick University and then NUI Maynooth, and she originally worked as an art historian showcasing her paintings in exhibitions in Ireland and the UK. She has also worked as a tutor and a sub art teacher at Kildare schools and in adult education, most recently working at a secondary school in Edenderry until May of this year.

However, four years ago Lynn decided to try her hand at writing and she described it as ‘a hobby that I just couldn’t stop.’ Despite initial rejections from 8 book agents with regard to her idea, Lynn decided to seek out other like-minded writers.

As part of the writing process for ‘The Groundsmen’, Lynn joined a local writers’ group The Wordsmiths at Kildare Town Library which she found to be very encouraging. “Joining The Wordsmiths was a great help to me writing this book and I don’t know what would have happened to this book if I hadn’t gone to the writer’s group. Mixing with other writers and learning how to critique each other’s work helped to build my confidence,” explained Lynn

Speaking at the launch of The Groundsmen, representative for the Wordsmiths and a close friend of Lynn’s, Julie Duane, described Lynn as ‘an invaluable member and friend to the Wordsmiths’.

She said:“Lynn began writing ‘The Groundsmen’ two years ago and after being rejected by 8 agents she joined the Wordsmiths and it’s here she also began to write poetry, something she had never thought of writing before. Her poems will also feature in our new anthology ‘Luisne an Cheile-A Kildare Collective’ by the Wordsmiths which is a diverse mixture of stories, poetry and prose with original drawings and illustrations by the group and it was lanched at the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge on 13 October.”

Meanwhile, guest speaker Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin praised the inclusion of social justice issues such as domestic violence in the novel, calling for more discussion amongst women and families concerning the effects of domestic violence. Deputy O’Loughlin has in recent times spoken out for equality for women and she is also Chairperson for the Oireachtas Education Committee.

Speaking at the book launch, Deputy O’Loughlin described ‘The Groundsmen’ as a ‘simply incredible book’ and that it is a book that everyone should read to better understand the effects of domestic violence on victims.

She said: “I am delighted to see that Kildare Library is supporting this book. I’m a big fan of the Kildare Library Service, I firmly believe it is the heart of our community and particularly in the last 10 years the library has welcomed many authors and all different types of people that use its services. They do an incredible job and I’d like to thank them for it as I know it means a lot to many people.”

Deputy O’Loughlin said: “The Groundsmen is an incredible piece of work and it’s hard to believe that this is Lynn’s first novel. I’ve learned more about domestic violence from reading it and to know that she is working with Teach Tearmainn which is really incredible. Lorraine Rowan [Manager at Teach Tearmainn] does amazing work, enabling the victims of domestic to become who they want to be.”

Deputy O’Loughlin also recently attended the launch of the MEND programme in Kildare which aims to help men change their behaviour and work toward ending domestic abuse.

“Statistics show that more women than men are affected but this is an issue that affects us all. In 2017, some 15,833 disclosures of domestic violence against women were recorded by the Irish non-for-profit Women’s Aid. The annual report by men’s support charity Amen indicated that in 2016, 5,196 disclosures about domestic abuse were made,” said Deputy O’Loughlin.

Safe Ireland are the recipients of the fundraising and publicity campaign called #eyesonyou which Lynn set up and manage on behalf of Safe Ireland. All proceeds from this will be directed to Teach Tearmainn Refuge in Kildare and Cuanlee Refuge in Cork, as agreed with Safe Ireland.

‘The Groundsmen’ is on sale for €10 at Kildare Town Library and in several other local venues and to support the #eyesonyou campaign: text SAFE to 50300 to donate €4 to Teach Tearmainn refuge and to -#SafeIreland.