Enchanting Powercourt
I spend a lot of time scouting locations for Shades of Avalon. It involved a decent amount of traveling and taking photographs to refer back to later. Not all of these locations made the final book, but this was one location I knew would be included from the beginning.
Although I don’t name it, for the estate house, terraced gardens, and ballroom in the final scenes, I took inspiration from Powercourt in Wicklow.
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| From Wikipedia by Schcambo |
I took a couple of small liberties with descriptions, which is why I didn’t name the estate. Most notably, the statue of Triton in the center of Triton Lake was replaced with Poseidon fighting a sea serpent. I was inspired by some of my favorite pieces at Powercourt— Poseidon, The Laocoön, and Triton.
Powercourt was the location for dozens of movies back as far as Henry V in 1944 and more recent television shows such as Camelot and The Tudors.
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| Stonework at the top terraces and sloping steps into the Italian gardens |
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| Chorus Gate -17th Century. Entranced to Walled garden mentioned in the book |
Set against the Sugar Loaf Mountain , this 47 acre estate was originally a castle and is renowned for its landscaped gardens, inspired by the Palace at Versailles, among other inspirations. The terraces took 100 men 12 years to complete. The grounds contain hundreds of trees and plants from all over the world, some grown nowhere else in Europe. There is also the pet cemetery, the walled garden, the Pepperpot Tower , the intricate gates, water features, and an extensive array of exquisite statues of mystical creatures and Gods from all around Europe.
To read more about Powercourt Estate and see pictures, please visit the Powerscourt Website.
The Shades Series (book #2)
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Paranormal Romance
Summary Ben Pryor grew up as an average kid in Camden, Maine, unaware of the supernatural storm brewing in his Celtic blood. However, at nineteen, as the last born in the royal line of the beings that once ruled Atlantis, Ben has eagerly embraced his newfound abilities and birthright.
When Caleb, his sister’s mate, goes missing under suspicious circumstances, the prime suspect is the last remaining member of the overthrown corrupt Guardian Council.
With the discovery that an old acquaintance has been keeping secrets and the future Ben was so sure of shifting before his eyes, the situation becomes more complicated, the ransom for Caleb too high.
In the sequel to Shades of Atlantis, Ben will delve deeper than he ever imagined into the magical old ways of the Guardians, the secrets of Excalibur, and the truth behind the legend of King Arthur.
About the Author
Carol Oates came into the world on Christmas morning, in an elevator. Raised just across the street from the childhood home of Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, it was only a matter of time before Carol’s love of all things supernatural would emerge.
She began experimenting with fiction at school and keeps the notebook containing her first unpublished novel in her desk drawer. Over three decades later, all her stories still begin life scrawled on paper.
When not writing, Carol can be found exploring history with her son. Luckily, he shares her love of old buildings, castles, and tombs.
