C.S.Lewis and the “Wee” County   Paul Claton-Lea

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) believed that interest in his books would quickly fade when he was gone. Sixty years after his death and 200 million copies later he has, for once, been proved mistaken. While his influential works on English Literature, Christian apologetics and science fiction remain popular it is his beloved stories for children, the Chronicles of Narnia which continue to keep him firmly in public view. His wonderfully imaginative landscape and gift for storytelling owe much to his Irish origins. Ireland was his constant holiday destination throughout his life. Thanks to a long relationship with Janie Moore whom he called ‘mother’ the ‘Wee’ County of Louth where she had been brought up became an important refuge for him and his brother Warren. Those previously unexplored links are addressed in this anniversary tribute to the creator of ‘Asian the lion of Narnia, son of the Emperor-Beyond-The-Sea.

Father Paul Clayton-Lea spoke to our Religious Education Community some time ago. I know you really appreciated his input and great sense of humour then. He has always had a huge interest in CS Lewis and I am delighted he has written a new book developing that interest alongside his love for Co Louth.  I thought you might to like to know this has been published recently and you may wish to read it. 

978 1 91622 347 9 

Paul Clayton-Lea is a priest of the Archdiocese of Armagh in Ireland.

A graduate of St Patricks College, Maynooth, and Fordham University New York

he has worked as a teacher, college chaplain, and parish priest.

He is currently editor of Intercom magazine, a Catholic pastoral and liturgical resource.

His previous publications include,

In the Light of the Word – Family Life through the Lens of Scripture (published by Veritas 2018)

Pass it On – Ronan Drury 1924-2017 with Maria Flood (2019).