Julia of Bunnamairgie
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Whenever I passed a looking glass at home, I thought my reflection quite pretty. Some of the lads in the village call me Dubh, the black-haired one. I have always been proud of my long, silken hair but I wonder if I will wear it tucked under a cap or what I’ll do if I become a proper nun. My Da used to say that the lads would drown looking in my eyes, they were as green and gold as the Margie river with the sun setting on it. He believed that the dark-haired Irish were descendants of the Spanish and had a kinship with the Selkies, the sea lions who shed their skins to become human. Aye, but though he talked of them with skepticism he always said he surely loved one as I got me black hair from my Mam. But no, I must think only of pious things and not of lads and love though I keep asking meself, will I be able to live this life of solitude?
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About the Book
The Black Nun of Bunnamairgie Friary, (Julia MacQuillan) lived in the 15th and 16th centuries in Ballycastle, Ireland (known then as Margeytown due to the proximity of the Margie River). She was called the “black” nun because of the color of the cloak (habit) that she wore. The nun's story unfolds as a present-day McQuillin (Cathleen) is searching for her family’s history and travels to Ballycastle, to find out more. She comes across Julia's journal and the story of this beautiful young lass who is a mystic with prophetic visions. The visions eventually have repercussions for her in Margeytown village. Her benefactors, Count Randall and Countess Mary MacDonald, were historically long-time foes of the MacQuillins but become her friends.
About the Author
Julia is smitten with the older, Bonaventure McGinnis, who is the Bishop of the small friary. Her desires as a woman are put in conflict with her faith. Then, a crisis for Julia (stemming from her visions) forces the Bishop to step in and defend her, but also confirming his love for her. Julia is a woman of her times, caught up in the violent events of in-clan fighting and the northern Irish skirmishes against Queen Elizabeth I’s troops during their fight for freedom against English rule. While living a simple life as a nun she still can't avoid the political conflict, sexism, and dilemmas any woman would face at that time and place in history. The Bonnamargy Friary (present-day spelling) stands today on the road to Cushendall. Julia’s round-stone grave is at the entrance to the ruins of the friary. She wished it to be there so those who entered the church would trample upon her simple grave.