Marita with Philip O’Reagan 

What a treat to have a very special launch for my new book The Hungry Road in Skibbereen, the place where my new book is set.

I felt a bit overwhelmed and emotional when I arrived at The Uilinn West Cork Arts Centre to find such a massive crowd there to welcome me and join in the celebrations.  My mum came from Skibbereen and I still have cousins living there, so it was great to have some family and friends there too.  Philip O Reagan from Skibbereen’s Heritage Centre launched the book as he has been so kind and helpful to me as I researched this epic story of The Great Hunger and its terrible effect on the people there.

West Cork people sure love their books and bookshop owner Cathal O’ Donovan was kept busy as I signed so many books! Afterwards we headed for The West Cork Hotel to continue the night. The hotel is literally across the road from The Old Mill where the soup kitchen was held.

Thanks so much to everyone at the West Cork Arts Centre and Fiodhna Ni Ghriofa and Jamie O’ Connell for arranging another great launch for The Hungry Road.

What a great crowd !                       Marita and Cathal O’Donovan.