Ghost of Shandon
Photo shoot, Shandon, Cork City
The Ghost of Shandon is a graphic novel/children's book based predominantly in 18th Century Cork City. A period of history in Cork in which French Huguenots, Dutch Merchants, British land owners and the local Irish made Cork the second largest port in the world. It is written and illustrated by Cork artist Alan Corbett and published by Cork publisher Onstream Publishing.
Ghost of Shandon was launched on Saturday August 11th, 2012 at a special book launch event in the children's book department of Cork City Library.
The book is available in Easons, Vibes and Scribes, Other Realms, Liam Russells and Forbidden Planet Dublin.
It is also available online through the publishers website:
BUY NOW HERE:
http://www.onstream.ie/books/shandon.htm
Book Reviews
"The phrase 'bringing history to life' dosen't quite do this remarkable creation justice."
"This is a first novel notable for its stunning illustrations and attention to detail of Cork's fascinating past."
-Pet O'Connell, Children's Book critic, Evening Echo Cork
"We knew from teaser images and cover art doing the rounds lately that the book was going to be beautiful to look at and it is only when you delve into the book that you realise what a tour de force it actually is. It is hard to describe the style of art in the book as there is honestly nothing to compare it to easily. Corbett has carved out a definitive style for himself and it is wonderful."
David O'Leary, Irish Comic News
"The fact that history can provide the most fertile playground for a child's imagination is beautifully harnessed in a new graphic novel,
Ghost of Shandon."
-Fiona Kelly, Sunday Business Post
"The city comes to life in the pages here, in the colour and the intricate detail. Huge attention is given to this in the comic, and there is even a map highlighting what happens where at the front of the book, to help guide readers through the city with the story. Bringing Cork to life really feels like a labour of love for Corbett."
-Colin O'Mahoney, Comic Buzz
"Some illustrations are so good that they leap out at the reader, especially, for me, that on p.19, The Duallachan, which is very powerful."
Mel Gibson, Inis Magazine
"Alan Corbett is a remarkably talented young man who has given Cork a unique introduction to and celebration of the culture and history of Cork."
-Thomas McCarthy, Poet
"The artwork is incredible, I was completely blown away!"
-Craig O'Connor, The Comic Cast
"Alan's book takes the reader on a vivid tour of the historical city introducing characters such as Nano Nagle, Anne Bonny and John Butts. A must read for anyone that likes the graphic novel genre and for anybody who has an interest in historical Cork."
-Cork City Library
"This is a first novel notable for its stunning illustrations and attention to detail of Cork's fascinating past."
-Pet O'Connell, Children's Book critic, Evening Echo Cork
"We knew from teaser images and cover art doing the rounds lately that the book was going to be beautiful to look at and it is only when you delve into the book that you realise what a tour de force it actually is. It is hard to describe the style of art in the book as there is honestly nothing to compare it to easily. Corbett has carved out a definitive style for himself and it is wonderful."
David O'Leary, Irish Comic News
"The fact that history can provide the most fertile playground for a child's imagination is beautifully harnessed in a new graphic novel,
Ghost of Shandon."
-Fiona Kelly, Sunday Business Post
"The city comes to life in the pages here, in the colour and the intricate detail. Huge attention is given to this in the comic, and there is even a map highlighting what happens where at the front of the book, to help guide readers through the city with the story. Bringing Cork to life really feels like a labour of love for Corbett."
-Colin O'Mahoney, Comic Buzz
"Some illustrations are so good that they leap out at the reader, especially, for me, that on p.19, The Duallachan, which is very powerful."
Mel Gibson, Inis Magazine
"Alan Corbett is a remarkably talented young man who has given Cork a unique introduction to and celebration of the culture and history of Cork."
-Thomas McCarthy, Poet
"The artwork is incredible, I was completely blown away!"
-Craig O'Connor, The Comic Cast
"Alan's book takes the reader on a vivid tour of the historical city introducing characters such as Nano Nagle, Anne Bonny and John Butts. A must read for anyone that likes the graphic novel genre and for anybody who has an interest in historical Cork."
-Cork City Library
Inside the book
Illustrated greetings cards with scenes from the Ghost of Shandon are available for purchase in the gift shop of the Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, Cork
Characters in the Ghost of Shandon
Nano Nagle and Anne Bonny
Victor Wolfe and the Duallachan
Aisling and Ronan
Book Launch Cork City Library
Cork Independent Newspaper 15-1-2012
Illustration Exhibition 2020 Gallery August 2012
Onstream Publishing: Ghost of Shandon Press Release
The Ghost of Shandon is a graphic novel and children's book based mainly in 18th Century Cork City. This is a fascinating period of Cork’s history in which French Huguenots, Dutch merchants, British land owners and the local Irish made Cork the second largest port in the world.
The city serves as a backdrop for the tale of two children, Ronan and Aisling. Ronan lived in a lighthouse in modern day Castletownbere, West Cork but moves to the city when his father loses his job. Bullied in his new home, he comes in contact with Aisling, who works as a maid for a Dutch merchant family on Tuckey Street in 18th century Cork and their adventure begins.
Alan Corbett graduated with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art in 2010 following a BA in Graphic Design at Cork IT. Taking inspiration from classical Irish illustrators such as Harry Clarke, Richard Doyle and Daniel Maclise, he has exhibited in Ireland and the UK.
Born close to St Catherine’s graveyard in Kilcully, County Cork, Alan’s imagination was fired by playing there. While friends looked forward to Christmas, he found Halloween much more fascinating. His first book, The Ghost of Shandon, is his dream come true. “Creating an adventure, a fairytale based in my home city of Cork brings many of my interests together. I can recall as a child noting that New York had Spiderman, London had Sherlock Holmes, Paris had the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Cork had nobody! Illustration and writing have always been a huge passion in my life and my ambition was to re-create historical Cork City as this magical place, full of unique characters.” Extensive research in libraries and archives revealed that Cork had narrow laneways, canal systems and European architecture which made Cork look more like Amsterdam that an Irish city back then, with locals living alongside French Huguenots, Dutch merchants and British landlords. He wrote his story around this rich heritage in language easily understood by the children of ages he has taught in schools and illustration workshops.
Further information and images: Roz Crowley, Onstream Publications info@onstream.ie 086 82 42 191
Launch date: 11 August 2012 2pm Cork City Library
The Ghost of Shandon
Written and illustrated by Alan Corbett
Price €14.99
64 A4 pages all colour paperback
ISBN 978 1 897685 59 4
For sale in selected shops and www.onstream.ie
The city serves as a backdrop for the tale of two children, Ronan and Aisling. Ronan lived in a lighthouse in modern day Castletownbere, West Cork but moves to the city when his father loses his job. Bullied in his new home, he comes in contact with Aisling, who works as a maid for a Dutch merchant family on Tuckey Street in 18th century Cork and their adventure begins.
Alan Corbett graduated with an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art in 2010 following a BA in Graphic Design at Cork IT. Taking inspiration from classical Irish illustrators such as Harry Clarke, Richard Doyle and Daniel Maclise, he has exhibited in Ireland and the UK.
Born close to St Catherine’s graveyard in Kilcully, County Cork, Alan’s imagination was fired by playing there. While friends looked forward to Christmas, he found Halloween much more fascinating. His first book, The Ghost of Shandon, is his dream come true. “Creating an adventure, a fairytale based in my home city of Cork brings many of my interests together. I can recall as a child noting that New York had Spiderman, London had Sherlock Holmes, Paris had the Hunchback of Notre Dame and Cork had nobody! Illustration and writing have always been a huge passion in my life and my ambition was to re-create historical Cork City as this magical place, full of unique characters.” Extensive research in libraries and archives revealed that Cork had narrow laneways, canal systems and European architecture which made Cork look more like Amsterdam that an Irish city back then, with locals living alongside French Huguenots, Dutch merchants and British landlords. He wrote his story around this rich heritage in language easily understood by the children of ages he has taught in schools and illustration workshops.
Further information and images: Roz Crowley, Onstream Publications info@onstream.ie 086 82 42 191
Launch date: 11 August 2012 2pm Cork City Library
The Ghost of Shandon
Written and illustrated by Alan Corbett
Price €14.99
64 A4 pages all colour paperback
ISBN 978 1 897685 59 4
For sale in selected shops and www.onstream.ie
Awards
Winner "Best Independent Irish Comic Writer 2012" ICN Awards
Nominated "Cork's Favourite Book" Cork World Book Festival 2013
Nominated "Best Overall Irish Comic 2012" ICN Awards
Nominated "Best Independent Irish Comic Artist 2012" ICN Awards
Nominated "Cork's Favourite Book" Cork World Book Festival 2013
Nominated "Best Overall Irish Comic 2012" ICN Awards
Nominated "Best Independent Irish Comic Artist 2012" ICN Awards
