The Story

The story of Daft Eddie, written by W.G. Lyttle, was first published in 1889. The story stretches itself along the shores of Strangford Lough and the length and breadth of the Ards Peninsula, County Down, Northern Ireland. The specific time in which the story is set is not mentioned,  but it is most likely to be somewhere from the end of the 1700's to early 1800's. Readers are introduced to the mysterious arrival of a young baby to Mr. and Mrs. Barbour, who live on Mahee Island. Not having children of their own, they raised Eddie as their son, with money provided for his upbringing. His birth parents remained unknown.

As Eddie grew he became popular with all the locals, who came to know him, and his 'peculiar' ways, as 'Daft Eddie.' Eddie was born at a time when smuggling was rife on the Lough. A group known as the 'Merry Hearts' not only smuggled but also engaged in theft and kidnapping. Eddie knew the  smugglers and was friendly with one of their newest recruits, Willie Douglas. Eddie learned of their plots and one plot in particular sets the course for the remainder of the story. As the story unfolds, the reader is brought on an exciting adventure where they encounter kidnapping, secret caves, lead mines and even people coming back from the dead! 

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