National Famine Commemoration 11th May 2014

Posted on 09/05/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

This year’s National Famine Commemoration will be held in Strokestown Park House (home of the National Irish Famine Museum) Roscommon on Sunday 11th May 2014 at 2.30pm.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Jimmy Deenihan will attend the ceremony, which is open to the public. There will be music, readings and poetry and the laying of a wreath to remember the many victims of Ireland’s Great Famine.

There is a full programme of events which includes a Famine Walk and a Children’s Soup Kitchen Workshop on Saturday 10th May in Strokestown.

It is so important for all of us to remember the Great Irish Famine and the generations of people who died and emigrated during those tragic times.

Strokestown Park Irish Famine Museum

Competition for budding writers aged 8-16

Posted on 25/04/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

HarperCollins Children’s Publishers UK are looking for a wonderful story by a young writer aged 8-16 for this very special book which will come out later this year. If you write the winning story you will be really lucky as world famous illustrator, Niamh Sharkey, will illustrate your story which will be the twelfth story in the book along with stories by eleven Irish authors including Eoin Colfer, Derek Landy, Roddy Doyle, Michael Scott, Judi Curtin and myself. The money raised from the book is going to Fighting Words. It is an amazing opportunity for any of you young writers! So grab the chance and get writing! Check out how to enter here.

Beyond the Stars

Literary lunches and lambs…

Posted on 24/04/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

What a busy few weeks! Although I’m up to my eyes researching and writing my new book, I’ve been travelling all over the place doing lovely book things. First a few days in London with my editors and publishers and my agent Caroline. Then back to Dublin and what a treat chatting to the wonderful ladies in ‘The Yacht Club’ Book Club about their favourite books at the packed out Writers Lunch held in The Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire! Donal Ryan, Catherine Dunne, Martina Devlin and Paul Carson were among the writers talking at the event.

I celebrated IBBY Book Day at Cabra Library with a group from a nearby school. I was also in beautiful Westport at Scoil Phadraig talking to their pupils with pupils from Holy Trinity N.S. joining in the fun. In the afternoon I went to Lankill School, a small rural school which is surrounded by stone walls, hawthorn bushes, sheep and their lambs where I talked to the boys and girls there about my books and writing.

Reading Champions

Posted on 23/04/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

What a great turn out for the launch of Reading Champions in Pearse Street Library in Dublin.

Lots of writers, librarians, sports people and readers came along to promote books and reading. We all had to bring along a copy of our favourite book so I opted for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods. The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, presented us with medals for promoting reading.

More information on this initiative is available here.

Christine Buckley

Posted on 25/03/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

What can I say about Christine Buckley that has not been said! She was feisty and fearless and unafraid to challenge the world around her. She told her story, the story of a small girl abandoned and abused by those that were supposed to care for her and raise her. She was the one voice that broke the silence of hundreds of neglected children who grew up in orphanages and industrial schools all over Ireland. She fought and campaigned hard and long for justice for those that so deserved it. She set up the Aislinn Centre in Dublin for survivors of institutional abuse, a place of welcome, refuge, education and friendship for all those that had never experienced these things during the times they needed it –their childhood.

Despite all that had happened to Christine she was never bitter and loved life, people and the world around her. Injustice in any shape or fashion drove her crazy. She adored children and had such an amazing rapport with them. She grabbed life and enjoyed it despite the dark days of her past. Her family were everything and her house and garden a place of love, laughter and care. A highly intelligent, articulate woman who challenged the church, the government, politicians and society constantly…she will be truly missed.

What can I say about Christine? I am lucky…she was my friend.