By a happy accident, in 1981 he began to tell bed-time stories to his own children, and the hero he chose was Fionn Mac Cumhail (Finn Mc Cool). Down the centuries the adventures of this mighty warrior and the Fianna, his heroic band of companions, has given pleasure to Irish people.

Now Eddie began to develop a whole new sequence of tales - presently over 200 and the list is still growing. Seven books of these have already been published and there is no end to the list in sight. And let no one be fooled by the words 'for children' on each. Adults will find them equally thought-provoking, amusing, grotesque and more.

Another interest central to Eddie's research is the fairies, the Good People. This had very practical results in 1999 when, through his single-handed efforts, a sceach (fairy bush) was saved from road-builders at Latoon, Co. Clare. The case made world-wide news and received much public support. The authorities finally agreed to re-route the new highway, and the bush is still standing.

Haunted places, fairy paths, holy wells: Eddie's researches into them all is ongoing. In fact, whatever involves walking the landscape, talking to old people, hopefully glimpsing the Otherworld, interests him. And it is reflected in his stories.

Irish fairy stories, naturally, form a prominent part of his huge repertoire, but there are historical tales, too, stories of notable persons (women especially, including the banshee), devil stories, accounts of saints (St. Patrick prominent among them, naturally), of monsters, ogres, giants, ghosts and much, much more.

He lives in Crusheen, Co. Clare, but travels worldwide and is always delighted to bring the fruits of his years' researches and collecting to whoever he may share it with.

In Ireland, too, he is a frequent visitor to schools, libraries, prisons, literary festivals - in fact anywhere people are prepared to sit a while, listen and reflect - as their forbears did when these stories were first told.