What a great way to start the New Year with the publication of my big new book ‘The Hungry Road.’
Inspired by true Irish heroes the book is set during the Great Irish Famine and took me almost three years to write and research and to put flesh on the bones of such an epic story. It tells of of great courage, the kindness of good people, and the strength of the human spirit. At times I found it heart-breaking to read accounts of the times that I was writing about. But finally my book is done and hopefully ‘The Hungry Road’ will find its way into the hands, hearts and minds of my readers.
There will be a lovely launch in Dublin and also in Skibbereen in West Cork, which I am really looking forward to later on this month.
‘Ireland’s hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight strikes terror in the heart of Irish people
- Seamstress Mary Sullivan’s dreams of a better future are shattered as she looks out over their ruined crop. Refusing to give in to despair, she must use every ounce of courage and strength to protect her family as they fight to survive
Dr Dan Donovan is medical officer to the Skibbereen Union. The arrival of ‘The Hunger’ soon brings starving men, women and children crowding into the town and the workhouse desperate for assistance.
Parish Priest Rev John Fitzpatrick’s faith is tested by the suffering that surrounds him as the town’s pleas for help to the authorities fall on deaf ears.’
‘The Hungry Road’ by Marita Conlon- McKenna
Marita Conlon-McKenna 