A History Writer finds history in Halifax
It wasn't part of my itinerary. It wasn't part of my research. But the moment I walked in, I knew it had to be part of my book.
My name is Alan N. Kay. I am a local, state and National (the States, sorry. ) award winning History teacher and author. Just recently I released a historical novel that takes place, among other places, in Halifax.
Halifax, as you know so well, is a beautiful city, filled with its own rich history. It was a no brainer for me to include her in my book. Indeed, the plot in my book Neither King Nor Country involves a secret from the American Revolution that could change the very border between the United States and Canada. It is a secret buried in Canada's Loyalist past and my character has somehow stumbled upon it. Where else to begin his quest, than Halifax?
The issue, of course, was where would my main characters go when they arrived? What hotel, what restaurant, what historical monument would be the place where I would want to go upon first arriving. I wanted the location to be one that had its own history, that fit into the "vibe" of friendly and historic Halifax and would be a realistic place for a visitor to go shortly after arrival.
The answer was obvious: Durty Nelly's.
I had been to Durty Nelly's on my first visit to Halifax. As a history teacher and part Irishman it seemed a natural place to go. But years later, as I was doing the research for my book, Durty Nelly's kept popping into my head. The fit was just perfect. Nelly's has character. Nelly's has history. It is unique and most importantly it is welcoming.
Here is how my character sees Nelly's (Chapter 21):
"Deborah stood in the middle of the Pub and gawked. She had never seen an Irish Pub like this before. The dark wood circular bar was freshly polished, almost glowing, the wooden barstools, made of the same material, looked sturdy enough to hold a 500 pound Irish man and the tan colored oak hardwood floors were so clean she could almost see her reflection. There were Celtic signs carved into the pillars and a wall of multi-colored liquors that stretched from one end of the pub to the other. It was ornate as well. Golden paint adorned all the walls, pillars and bar stools. Two by two square tile artwork was interwoven throughout the hardwood floor and even the bar stools and booths had fine blue fabric seats. It was as if every piece of carved wood, seat, and bar stool was straight from a pub in Ireland. And indeed it was, she quickly learned from one of the signs on the wall. Durty Nelly's, the sign had read, an authentic Dublin Pub built in the city itself and then shipped directly to Canada. It was, according to the man she was supposed to meet, a must visit drinking hole for anyone who was visiting Halifax."
After publication of Neither King Nor Country, I contacted Durty Nelly's. Whenever you write fiction that is based on actual events or in this case, actual places, there is a real anxious nervous moment when you wonder if you did justice to your subject or worse got something wrong.
One of the owners of Durty Nelly's, Joe McGuinness, contacted me a little while later. He was thrilled to discover a book that discussed his pub and would be happy to read it. He gave me the address, I mailed him a copy and within days of receiving it, he sent me a picture of himself happily reading the book at a table outside the pub.
I tell you this last part, because it amplifies what I have already said about Durty Nelly's. Many businesses never return your correspondence. Many more do not seem to care that you write about them or that they are featured in any book, especially a fiction book. This was not the case with Joe. He was warm, welcoming and inviting, just like his pub. (Can't wait to sit down and have a pint with you Joe!)
Of course, the pub is not the only place my characters go in Halifax. They spend time at the fort, go skating around the oval and even roll down the hill on their way there. Halifax is just the perfect city for anyone, tourist or businessman, family or single. I look forward to returning.
Thanks for listening,
Cheers,
Alan N. Kay
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