Glenn Patterson's new book 'Once Upon a Hill'.
ONCE
upon a hill in Lisburn lived Jack and Kate Patterson. Then in
1920 events over which they had no control had a traumatic
affect on their lives.
Now the story of their love, their lives and
the riotous turmoil that descended on that little hill have
formed the basis of renowned author Glenn Patterson's new book
which will be launched in Lisburn on Tuesday.
It is said that the course of true love never
runs smooth but some people have more obstacles to overcome than
others. That was certainly the case for Glenn's grandparents on
whom the book is based.
Their love crossed the religious boundaries,
Jack was a Protestant and Kate a Catholic, and they had to wait
ten years before they could marry because Jack's formidable
mother had forbidden it.
And even when they wed, such was the
disapproval that Kate lived in Chapel Hill and while Jack stayed
in Antrim Street.
Then chaos came to the town and riotous fires
swept through Lisburn during vicious sectarian rioting. Glenn
has spent four years researching the early years of the
twentieth century and the affects on his own family for 'Once
Upon a Hill: Love in Troubled Times' and produced a book that is
more than just the story of his grandparents, it is the story of
Lisburn and a town torn apart.
"The book is essentially about my
grandparents, who lived in Antrim Street, but it's not only
about them, its about their times and by extension it is also
about Lisburn," explained Glenn, who also lived in Lisburn in
the late 1980s when he was a Writer in Residence.
"It is also about me" he continued. "There is
a lot about my relationship with my grandparents, who both died
in the 1970s, and my relationship with Lisburn."
Glenn will be launching his book at Lisburn
City Library on Tuesday September 9 at 7.30pm. All are welcome
though booking is essential. Anyone interested should ring
Lisburn City Library 9266 9345.
*To read more of the interview with Glenn
Patterson, log onto
www.lisburntoday.co.uk
julieann.spence@jpress.co.uk