Loftus: The Hall of Dreams
Collector's Edition — Embossed Hard Cover
+ postage where applicable
This edition is out of print and only a very small number of hand-numbered copies remain. Availability is not guaranteed. Please contact Helena directly to confirm before purchasing.
Reviews & Recognition
“A new perspective and beguiling approach to the history of the house. The intriguing story, which embraces ley lines, geomancy, and freemasonry, has many surprises and makes history come alive in a distinctive way.”
“Stunning, informative, thought-provoking… Gripping, and one-of-a-kind; this is not just another history book, it is a work of art.”
“The story itself is fascinating, intriguing and far from the usual narrative of historical research. Ms Scott manages to inject so much more into this complete and compelling history of Ireland's most haunted building.”
Beyond the Ghost Story
Templars, Freemasonry, sacred geography — and the hidden history of Loftus Hall
Far more than a retelling of the famous Devil in the Card legend, Loftus: The Hall of Dreams investigates the deeper history of the Hall and Hook Peninsula: the quiet arrival of the Knights Templar, Freemasonry and the house's Masonic architecture and symbolism, sacred geography and ley lines, family networks, folklore, psychical research and anomalous experience. Historical and genealogical research is woven through a Gothic narrative to ask what may lie behind the legend.
Created by Helena B. Scott
Written, researched and designed by Helena B. Scott
Helena conceived and created the front cover, back cover and complete interior layout and page architecture for both the paperback and Collector’s Edition. For the Collector’s Edition she also conceived the binding and embossed-cover treatment, including the decision to place the Loftus family coat of arms on the cover.
Photography by Steve Meyler.
Watch the Book Trailer
Book Details
- Format
- Hand-sewn quarter binding, cloth embossed hard cover
- Dimensions
- 298mm × 258mm
- Pages
- 304
- Photography
- Steve Meyler · 116 black & white figurative photographs (255mm × 205mm)
- Creative direction
- Written, researched & designed by Helena B. Scott
- Book design
- Cover & binding concept · embossed cover design · interior design & page layout by Helena B. Scott
- Paper
- 170gsm art silk
- Cover detail
- Loftus coat of arms + silver-foil spine stamping
- Edition
- Hand-numbered Collector's Edition — signed & dedicated by Helena
- Status
- Out of print · very limited remaining stock · availability unconfirmed
- Price
- €666.00 + postage
About the Book
Loftus Hall, on the wind-swept Hook peninsula is a three-storey nine-bay mansion rebuilt in 1871, which incorporates parts of an older medieval residence built in the time of the black death and the previous late 17th century house of the Loftus family. A fine example of Irish Palladianism, Loftus Hall harbours countless trapped, tortured spirits and is a known site of psychic disturbances. Here, powers of darkness dwell with innocence, amid the hopeless insanity of a young girl who died of a broken heart.
The definitive study on the Loftus Demesne and its past comes to life in a story based on research, facts and paranormal experiences. Evidence and comprehensive historical research are intertwined with popular myth and beautiful images of Irish architecture. This book uncovers all that lay hidden beneath its abandoned walls and has not been forgotten. In silence, the house speaks through these pages and ultimately, tells its true story.
Meticulously researched, the haunting mansion of Loftus Hall is explored in depth from an architectural point of view, through the experienced lens of a photographer who has captured its true essence, elegance and spirit. Additionally, the stately home reveals itself to an empathic and intuitive writer, voicing its silent desires so that justice may finally be done.
Loftus Hall is indeed haunted, but by whom? A creative and factual work that transcends the popular myth of the devil and the young Lady Anne, unearthing what was hidden during centuries, bringing to light new theories and undisputed facts. Perhaps it is not only Loftus Hall, but rather the land on which it lies that holds an even darker secret and older story; the dreams of many souls who left this world and the nightmares of those that are still living.
Walk with us as we guide you through Loftus Hall, Ireland's most haunted house, to discover its untold story.
Loftus: The Hall of Dreams is a lavish book and collector's item. This large luxurious volume measuring 298mm × 258mm, hand sewn and with quarter binding, has been lovingly created with great attention to detail. It is available as a signed limited edition only, with a cloth embossed hard cover which features the Loftus coat of arms and silver-foil stamping on the spine.
The book contains 116 black and white haunting figurative photographs measuring 255mm × 205mm with a striking layout of text and colour imagery as a gothic story that speaks of immortal love, loss, the mysteries of the Otherworld, ancient secrets and the depths of the human spirit. The fonts chosen for the cover and some of the inside pages are reminiscent of the actual handwriting of relevant Loftus family members as seen in the original family documents which date back to almost 300 years ago. It is printed on 170gsm art silk paper.
The dark secrets bound within the 304 pages that make up this book in total provide a unique insight on the untold story behind Ireland's most haunted house within a historical and psychical research context. Similarly to the construction of Loftus Hall, no expenses have been spared in the pursuit of creating a beautiful and treasured object that will be a pleasure to own and handle.
As featured by The Irish Times