J.K. Rowling has divulged even more information about her Wizarding world, in a new chapter of writing and an animated teaser video, released today. Both include references to the Irish connection in the establishment of the American counterpart to Hogwarts, Illvermorny.
The history of Illvermorny focuses around a young Irish orphan girl, Isolt Sayre from the real world Coomloughra, in Co. Kerry. Her parents are murdered and she is taken in by her aunt, who is actually her parents murderer. Isolt grows up and realises this – and subsequently flees to England, then the New World. She poses as a non magical boy and boards the Mayflower, to escape to America.
Rowling's new writing is available to view in full on the Pottermore website. Pottermore has experienced a significant increase in traffic in recent months, with Rowling's expansion of her Wizarding world's history to all continents, in the run-up to the Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them film. The new film is set 70 years before the events of the Harry Potter series, in 1920's Wizarding New York. It stars Eddy Redmayne as Newt Scamander, a magical zoologist. It will be released in cinemas on November 18.