The Scarlet Ribbon by Derry O’Dowd

Last night the Heritage Centre staff put on their glad rags and headed off to the launch of The Scarlet Ribbon by Derry O'Dowd.

This historical novel is written by father and daughter team Michael and Katy O'Dowd. Set in the 1730s and 1740s it follows the career of the young Irish surgeon James Quinn, as he battles prejudice and controversy in an attempt to become a man midwife. A profession which, at that time, was only open to females. Set in Paris, London, Dublin and Galway, the novel is described as 'a story of the thorns of love and the harsh reality of life in the eighteenth century, where nothing is simple and complications of all kinds surround James Quinn, man midwife.'

The question and answer session at the book launch provided an interesting insight into the co-authoring of the book. Michael O'Dowd, an obstetrician and Fellow of the College, had the idea and specialist knowledge to write the book, while Katy provided the 'author's voice'. Michael O'Dowd has previously written two academic histories of obstetrics and gynaecology, and made use of the Heritage Centre collections in his research. For each scene, the two would sit down and discuss exactly what was going to happen and how, before Katy would write the scene up. They did confess there had been a major disagreement over one of the scenes, which had been resolved by both agreeing to leave out the parts they wanted. You can find out more about the authors here - http://writing.ie/meet-the-authors/historical-fiction/496-derry-odowds-the-scarlet-ribbon.html

The Scarlet Ribbon is the first fiction work published by History Press Ireland and is, as they say, available now in all good bookshops!