It was great to be invited to lead a very special tour of ‘Coming Home – Art and The Great Hunger Exhibition at Dublin Castle, as this very special art collection has such a connection with my own writing and books. I love art and sculpture so it was exciting and something very different for me to be given the opportunity to select my favourite pieces which relate to ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ and ‘Wildflower Girl’. A wonderful group joined me for this very special art tour.

Later I talked to a larger group about ‘The World of ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ using some of the wonderful images from this exhibition, which is part of the Art collection from Quinnipiac University’s Great Hunger Museum in America which is on display here until the end of June, before moving to the Uillinn West Cork Art’s Centre in Skibbereen.

I also got along to help to launch ‘The Hunger Times- A short children’s film about the Great Irish Famine which was commissioned by Quinnipiac’s Great Hunger Museum.   It was great to meet the cast and crew and director. The first viewers of this time travel Famine adventure were kids from Marlborough Central School.

It was such a busy few days as I was part of a panel for a brilliant ‘Bold Girls –Brave and Bold’ event about inspirational women who changed history with Anna Carey, Siobhan Parkinson and Dr  Norah Patten  held at Smock Alley Theatre.

The  International Literature Festival Dublin certainly had a huge varied and interesting programme for all ages and it was an absolute pleasure as a writer to be involved.

Dingle Feile na Bealtaine

I spent a wonderful few days down in Dingle in Co. Kerry at the Dingle Feile na Bealtaine Festival, which involves the whole town and local community in a celebration of writing music, art and literature for all ages and interests.

Dingle is such a special town. It is one of the most stunning places  to visit in Ireland as the landscape and ocean and sea and sky and cliffs and fields and golden beaches and mountains all combine to take your breath away.

I visited two great schools one overlooking the ocean in Clochan and then on to the wonderful Bunscoil Bricluin, in Annascaul.

Bookshop owner Camilla Dinkel organised a wonderful event in her lovely Dingle Bookshop, where I got to meet and talk with so many lovely readers both young and old.

Later I was in the Dingle Courthouse for a packed court session with  Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, the two very talented authors of the bestselling novel  ‘Oh My God What a Complete Aisling.’

I loved the book and was delighted to act as interviewer with the three of us adjourning from the judge’s bench to conduct the proceedings.

The fact that Aisling happens to admit in the book that she is a big fan of my books and takes comfort from reading them is great.  Emer and Sarah are so good to give me such a lovely mention in their novel.  Like everyone else I can’t wait to see Aisling up on the big screen.

Saturday night was a real treat getting to a concert in the famous St. James’ Church where the wonderful singer Cat Dowling performed. Then Kerry poet Brendan Kennelly who was in the audience, gave us a few of his poems, before singer Camille O’Sullivan took to the stage and blew us away with an amazing performance.  Thanks to Rachel Ni Fhionnáin, for organizing such a lovely visit.

The famous arch on Dublin’s iconic Halfpenny Bridge was bedecked with books to celebrate the launch of this year’s International Literature Festival Dublin. It was breezy on the bridge but new writer Melatu Uche Okorie and I enjoyed the view. Melatu, who was in direct provision, has just published her first book- which I am dying to read. Later that night, it was great to be back in one of my favourite haunts, for the official  launch for the International Literature Festival Dublin which was held upstairs in the lovely new Bewleys.  My good friend Sarah Webb has organised all the brilliant Family and Children’s events.

The Festival runs from 19^th to 27^th May 2018 with a huge programme of events with both Irish and International writers at a number of venues across the city.

I am doing three events at the festival – Bold Girls- A big panel discussing the women who influenced and inspired us which is on Thursday 24^th May in Smock Alley.

On Sunday 27^th May I am very excited as I will be leading a very special tour of Coming Home- the Great Hunger Art Exhibition which is on in The Coach House in Dublin Castle at 1.pm.  Places are limited and will book out very quickly.

Then at 3.pm,on Sunday 27^th May  I am in the Gothic Room of Dublin Castle showing some of my favourite images from the art in the Great Hunger Exhibition and talking about how they relate to ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’  and help us to understand and  tell the story of the Great Irish Famine . I am hoping that lots of readers will come along for these very special events.