Irish history fits the bill for local author

As a member of the Military History Society of Ireland Bill Wilsdon has always had a key interest in the dealings of the past.

He has already released a book detailing the sites of the 1798 rebellion in Down and Antrim. But for his latest release Bill takes us back to his native Fermanagh and in particular Lough Erne.

“My book ‘Plantation Castles on the Erne’ explores the political conditions in Ireland, and more specifically Ulster at this crucial point in history,” explained Bill.

“But alongside the history there is also a guide to the castles, with detailed maps and suggested itineraries that could be followed in a day’s outing.

“I used to trek my daughters around these sites before we moved up to Coleraine. So I’ve been working on this book for a few years, but it’s nice that it’s out for the 400th anniversary.”

Bill is hoping that his latest book will help others go and explore some local history.

“Unfortunately I think a lot of us know more about other countries history rather than our own,” he said.

“This is only a look at one area of the island, but it was a very important time as it shaped the country as we know it today.

“The guide describes the castles erected by the settlers and ‘deserving’ natives who arrived in the River Erne’s catchment area after the establishment of the Ulster Plantation.

“They were required to build fortified structures as part of the conditions of the land grants, and this was really the last flurry of castle building in the British Isles.

“The Irish, Scots and English all had very different dwelling to begin with but you could see in the following years how they all started to adopt each others features.

“It was a fascinating 30-year period in our history and in some way mirrors what has happened in Northern Ireland over the last few years with immigrants moving here from Eastern Europe.

“Ulster has always been a land of immigrants. Since the 17th century it has attracted a sizeable migrant community from the rest of the British Isles, who have traditionally given their primary allegiance to the land of their origin rather than to Ireland.

“So as you can see the similarities are there. I believe the present is the key to the past, but we have to look at it and make sure we do not let the same mistakes be made again.”

So what’s up next for Bill?

“I’m taking a break from writing at the minute to promote the book, but I’m sure something will hook me in again,” he said.

“To me the key thing is to write about something you have an interest in. I’d encourage anyone to give it a go as long as they have a patient family, thankfully I did.”

Bill’s book ‘Plantation Castes on the Erne’ is published by History Press Ireland and is available in all bookshops on online.

STORY: Steven Crawford