Casting the collaborative talents of a trio of Donegal creators and visionaries

Eamon Travers, Olive Travers and Barry Britton holing a copy of their collaborative creation - The Nets of Wonder

placeholder image — Eamon Travers, Olive Travers and Barry Britton holing a copy of their collaborative creation - The Nets of Wonder

Like many remarkable ideas, the idea for Nets of Wonder, sprouted around a kitchen table – Olive's own kitchen table

Nets of Wonder is a new literary and musical collaboration between Olive Travers, a prolific writer; Barry Britton, a visionary artist; and Eamon Travers, a musical virtuoso, and has just been published by Beehive Books.

Inspired by Olive's evocative writings, this innovative project transcends the boundaries of conventional artistry, inviting readers to immerse themselves in a sensory journey of emotions, memories, and reflections.

It was launched at the National Print Museum in Dublin earlier this month but its real home launch will take place at this year’s popular Allingham Festival, which runs from November 8-12 in Ballyshannon.

Each of the twelve stories in Nets of Wonder has an accompanying piece of original music. Readers can listen to the album by scanning the QR code in the book.

Like many remarkable ideas, the idea for Nets of Wonder, sprouted around a kitchen table – Olive's own kitchen table.

Olive from Ballyshannon entrusted her good friend Barry Britton from Rossnowlagh and of Folk Festival poster creation fame (aka the Beardy Buck in this neck of the woods) with a collection of her writings, primarily scripts for RTÉ Radio One’s Sunday Miscellany.

ONE OF THE BRILLIANT BARRY BRITTON ILLUSTRATIONS - BACK TO THE FUSHIA

Barry, stirred by the words, meticulously selected twelve pieces that ignited his creativity.

For each piece, he crafted exquisite illustrations, adding a visual dimension to Olive's prose. Olive's son, Eamon, then took these twelve scripts and orchestrated original musical compositions that encapsulated the essence, mood, and themes of each piece.

Olive, a clinical psychologist by profession, pivoted her psychological lens inward, mining her own memories, relationships, and life experiences for this selection of writings.

The result is a collection that traverses the spectrum of human emotions - from fascination to humour, from heart-touching moments to profound sadness - all imbued with insightful observations.

These essays not only celebrate significant life events but also illuminate the extraordinary within the ordinary moments that shape our lives.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital content, Nets of Wonder rekindles the tactile pleasure of holding a book in one's hands.

Each piece of writing is accompanied by its own thematic artwork and musical response, allowing readers to choose their own sensory adventure.

They can immerse themselves in Olive's narratives while Eamon's melodies serenade their thoughts, using Barry's enchanting illustrations as contemplative interludes.

Alternatively, they can delve into the album of Eamon's evocative music, their eyes captivated by the corresponding artworks, before revisiting the moods through Olive's words. Or they may choose to enter the enchanting realms depicted in Barry's illustrations before returning to Olive's musings or listening to a tune from Eamon.

The beauty of Nets of Wonder lies in its openness to collaboration. It beckons readers to unpack and unfurl its contents according to their moods, inviting them to discover their unique path.

Published by Beehive Books, it is now available nationwide and a bookstore near you, ISBN 9781800970588