Marita is one of Ireland’s best loved authors of both children’s and women’s fiction.
She is an international bestseller and her books are enjoyed by readers across the world.
Passionate about Irish history Marita’s first book Under the Hawthorn Tree is set during the Great Irish Famine. The book was inspired by the discovery of a famine grave of three children buried under a hawthorn tree. The book has become a classic and is used by schools both in Ireland and overseas and is part of the best-selling ‘The Children of the Famine’ series.
Marita’s first adult novel The Magdalen, explores the lives of the Magdalens-the women sent to live and work in Ireland’s Magdalen laundries and is a book that still touches readers and raises many issues.
She loves to meet readers and enjoys talking at book festivals, libraries and schools where she encourages everyone to read and to write.
She has a huge interest in the Great Irish Famine and there is a special section on this website all about the Famine.
Marita lives in Dublin and is married to James and has four grown-up children.