Ultor De Lacy

Name: Ultor De Lacy
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu

The narrative unfolds in the remote glen of Cappercullen, where the remnants of a grand Anglo-Irish castle stand, owned by the De Lacy family. The story begins with Ultor De Lacy, the last of his line, who inherits a small estate in Ireland after his father, a Jacobite, dies. Ultor is burdened by his father's dying words, which include a warning against marrying before the age of thirty to fulfill his destiny of restoring the family's honor. After marrying a woman from another fallen Irish family, Ultor's life is marked by tragedy as his wife dies young, leaving him to raise their two daughters, Alice and Una, in isolation. The family's fortunes decline further when Ultor becomes embroiled in the Rebellion of '45, leading to his attainder and the forfeiture of their estate. The daughters are left to fend for themselves, supported only by a small annual income secured by their mother’s marriage settlement. As the girls grow up, they experience strange occurrences in the castle, including sightings of a mysterious light in the Bell Tower and encounters with a sinister figure, which instills fear in their household. The priest who visits them becomes increasingly troubled by supernatural disturbances, leading to his eventual withdrawal from their lives. Una, the younger daughter, begins to change, growing pale and withdrawn, while Alice becomes increasingly concerned about her sister's well-being. The tension escalates when Una mysteriously disappears, leaving behind cryptic messages that suggest a connection to a dark family curse linked to Roderic O'Donnell, an ancestor who swore vengeance against the De Lacys. Ultor's despair deepens as he searches for Una, believing her to be under the influence of the malevolent spirit. Despite attempts at exorcism, the family remains haunted by the specter of O'Donnell, who seems to have ensnared Una in his curse. The story culminates in Alice discovering a portrait of O'Donnell among her father's belongings, revealing the true nature of the family's tragic legacy. Ultimately, the tale serves as a haunting exploration of familial duty, the weight of history, and the supernatural forces that shape the destinies of the De Lacy lineage. The narrative concludes with the lingering echoes of Una's voice, a reminder of the family's cursed fate and the enduring impact of their ancestral sins.

By Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu · First published 1865 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Supernatural · 8 chapters · 10,969 words

First lines

In my youth I heard a great many Irish family traditions, more or less of a supernatural character, some of them very peculiar, and all, to a child at least, highly interesting. One of these I will now relate, though the translation to cold type from oral narrative, with all the aids of animated human voice and countenance, and the appropriate mise-en-scène of the old-fashioned parlour fireside and its listening circle of excited faces, and, outside, the wintry blast and the moan of leafless boughs, with the occasional rattle of the clumsy old window-frame behind shutter and curtain, as the blast swept by, is at best a trying one.

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Ultor De Lacy is listed on Textopian as a novel by Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu, dated 1865 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu
Date: 1865 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Supernatural, Romance, Adventure
Length: 10,969 words
Structure: 8 chapters, 166 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Genres

Gothic Fiction — The novel features elements typical of Gothic fiction, including a haunted castle, supernatural occurrences, and themes of isolation and despair.
Historical Fiction — Set against the backdrop of Irish history, the narrative incorporates historical events and figures, particularly relating to the Jacobite uprisings.
Supernatural — The story includes supernatural elements such as fairies, ghosts, and curses, which are central to the plot and character motivations.
Romance — The relationships between characters, particularly the familial bonds and romantic interests, play a significant role in the narrative.