What good news to hear that the stage version of Under the Hawthorn Tree is returning to The Mac Theatre in Belfast at the end of January 2020!

The Cahoots production of my book adapted for the stage by Charles Way and directed by Paul McEneaney is stunning, with a great cast and Garth McConaghie’s music is so evocative.

The very good news is that after its run in Belfast the show will tour around Ireland. It will travel to theaters both in the North and South.  ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree is in Dublin’s Pavilion Theatre for only one day so grab tickets while you can.   I just can’t wait to go and see it again.

‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ Stage Production Tour Schedule  

30 Jan-9 Feb 2020 | The MAC, Belfast

12 Feb | The Ardhowen, Enniskillen

14 Feb | Íontas Theatre, Castleblayney

16 Feb | Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire

19 Feb | Cork Opera House

21 Feb | Siamsa Tire, Tralee

23-24 Feb | National Opera House, Wexford

26 Feb | Burnavon, Cookstown

28-29 Feb 2020| Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Marita with writers Oisin McGann and Judi Curtin 

The sun came out and the hens clucked and the donkeys brayed, as hordes of young readers and their families swarmed to the beautiful Airfield Estate in Dundrum for the Dubray StoryFest, an extravaganza of story and illustration held in the acres of wonderful gardens and farm of Airfield.

There were book hunts, cartoon competitions and writers and illustrators galore for young readers to meet during this fun filled day which was organised by the wonderful Sarah Webb and Dubray’s Maria Dickenson and Susan Walsh.

I was involved in ‘The Magical History Tour’ held in the big Green Barn with writers Oisin McGann and Judi Curtin.

It was great to meet so many writers and bookseller friends and to enjoy the supper held afterwards in the old house. Thanks to all who organised such a special story filled day!

Marita with Sarah Webb and Don Conroy         Sunflowers and cabbages 

What a fabulous day meeting 70 brilliant young writers at the very special Young Writer’s Day in Dun Laoghaire’s Lexicon Library! The day was part of Cruinniu na nOg –Ireland’s national day of creativity for young people with events held all over the country.

The morning kicked off with a big panel discussion with Dave Rudden, Deirdre O’Sullivan, Alan Nolan and me talking to Grainne Clear about how we all got started writing and illustrating. There were lots of brilliant question from the young writers and illustrators… Many of whom are already working on books…. amazing!!

Then it was time to get writing and drawing at the workshops… followed by a really great talk about  publishing  your books with Eoin O’Brien from O’Brien Press and Grainne Clear from Little Island Books .

I also took time out at the weekend to visit the Dalkey Book Festival and attended a brilliant discussion with historian and author Peter Frankopan and Diarmaid Ferriter on ‘Why History Matters.’ My brain was buzzing after it!

Then to the Dalkey Heritage Centre where my friend author Martina Devlin and Andrea Catherwood gave a fascinating insight into the life of one of my great hero’s Countess Constance Markievicz.  Books and writing … can a weekend get any better!

There was a great turn out for the official launch of The National Famine Way on 30^th May at The Epic Museum on Dublin’s Custom House Quay with singer Declan O’ Rourke playing a few of his renowned famine songs and doing the honours!

A group of Famine experts and enthusiasts and walkers set off to walk this New National Famine Way led off by Strokestown’s Caroilin Callery and Professor Christine Kinealy from Quinnipiac University’s Great Hunger Institute, Professor Mark McGowan of Toronto University and writer and broadcaster Cathal Poirteir.

I joined them for the farewell Canadian Wake in the Percy French Hotel and the next morning watched as the  group re-enacted  an eviction outside the gates of Strokestown Park House as they set off to walk along the Royal Canal to Dublin. Schools and walking groups and lots of people joined them along the way!

Six days later watching them arrive into the city, it was emotional to say the least to see them walk alongside Rowan Gillespie’s Famine figures and then board the Jeanie Johnson ship which is moored across from Epic.

The National Famine Way  is a milestone  project that commemorates  the one hundred  mile journey of 1,490 evicted tenants from Stokestown Park House in May 1847, who escorted by the Bailiff walked along the Royal Canal to Custom’s House  Quay in Dublin. There they boarded ships bound for Liverpool and then on to Quebec in Canada.  Many of the children were barefoot and needed shoes for the long walk to Dublin.

The National Famine Way marks their footsteps along the beautifully restored canal and its pathways  with small stone plinths, each with a pair of bronze child’s shoes in over 30 locations along the way in the towns,villages and beauty spots that they passed through.

A digital app is available on the National Famine Way website which gives information about the canal way and local history and nature. I have recreated the story of Daniel Thighe, a twelve year old boy who walked all the way to Dublin on the Royal Canal with his mother and uncle and little brothers and sisters , all of them bound for Canada.  You can read and listen to Daniel’s  journey on the App.

The National Famine Way is a wonderful collaboration between the Great Irish Famine Museum in Strokestown, Waterways Ireland, Irish Heritage Trust and Trinity College’s ADAPT Centre and a  large number of County Councils.  I was very pleased to be asked to also come on board to help them with this exciting and interesting project.

The beauty of the restored canal and its incredible history, nature and wildlife make it a perfect place for people to walk and visit and explore.  Don’t forget to look out for those little bronze shoes as you go!