Mourners are invited to come and pay their respects at the wake of ‘Timothy the Dead Boy’, the protagonist of Kevin McHugh’s latest haunting tale as the Fermanagh-based artist and writer launches his new book with a unique event at Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen – just in time for Hallowe’en.

Known for bringing the island town of Enniskillen to life with his striking murals, Kevin has focused the writing of his latest book on death, poetically telling the story of Timothy, a misunderstood dead boy who just wants to make friends.

Talking about writing ‘Timothy the Dead Boy’, Kevin explained that songwriting for the Funeral Punk band ‘Cadaver Club’, in which he sings under the stage name, Mr. Crow, inspired his darkly poetic style.

The undertaker and chief mourner at The Wake. Picture by John McVitty.

The undertaker and chief mourner at The Wake. Picture by John McVitty.

“Every song is a little three-minute horror show and it kind of made me realise that that’s what I love to write – just making up characters and putting them in just really horrible situations,” he said with a laugh, adding: “I love to write the really dark, dark humour, but it is just a joke.”

The themes of horror and death also run through the first book that Kevin created with fellow local writer Bob Kerrigan, entitled ‘The Twins’ Little Book of Death’.

“I just love the likes of Tim Burton and Edward Gorey, and The Addams Family. All this real dark humour that you either think is hilarious or you think it’s sick,” said Kevin.

“I’ve just always loved that whole sort of Gothic vision, it’s what I love to write and every once in a while I just come up with a wee idea and it’s usually the title of the book that springs to mind.

“So ‘Timothy the Dead Boy’ popped into my head one day and I didn’t even second-guess his name, I just started writing.

“Writing is my favourite thing. Of course, I love to paint and play in the band, but writing is my favourite thing of all time. It’s just me and a pen and paper. It’s my happy place.”

With the support of Noelle McAlinden and Experience Enniskillen, Kevin’s book launch will take the form of a ‘living wake’, upstairs in Charlie’s Bar at 4pm on Sunday, October 22.

He explained the inspiration behind his unique launch even.: “I was trying to think, ‘how Ho you launch a book called Timothy the Dead Boy?’ and I was sitting around with a couple of friends and, immediately, the idea of an Irish wake was put on the table, with tea, sandwiches, a coffin,” said Kevin.

The undertaker and mourners at The Wake of Timothy The Dead Boy. Picture by John McVitty.

The undertaker and mourners at The Wake of Timothy The Dead Boy. Picture by John McVitty.

“That’s basically the setting, then I’ll read the book, and we’ll have a singalong around the coffin, just little things to keep it entertaining, to keep it fun.”

Commenting that is is a “privilege” to support Kevin in the launch of his book, along with Noelle McAloon of Experience Enniskillen, and Una Burns of Charlie’s Bar, Noelle McAlinden said: “We have enjoyed the plotting and the planning for this unique Hallowe’en experience.

“Timothy the Dead Boy is a beautifully written and illustrated book, with profound messages for adults and children.”