It is a real treat to be invited to return to Strokestown Park House and the National Famine Museum in Roscommon and to take part in a very special event focused on Archives to Arts and Bringing the Strokestown Archive to life on Saturday 24th September.
The Museum itself has only recently reopened with a new look after having a wonderful five million euro upgrade during the necessary Covid closedown, with an international panel of Famine experts overseeing the project.
To have an archive of over 50, 000 documents available that provide an insight into the parallel lives of tenants and the landlord is a real treasure for all of us with an interest in the past. As a writer having access to archives is invaluable and plays a huge part in the creation of my work and enriches it often sparking new ideas and stories and books that I simply have to write.
Among the panelists are singer and writer Declan O’Rourke and Anne-Marie O’ Sullivan of Enchanted Croi Theatre and there will be a screening of ‘Treasures of the Strokestown Famine Archive in the National Library’ presented by Professor Mark McGowan.
It was with great sadness that I heard of the sudden death of my friend and publisher of more than 33 years Michael O’Brien on Sunday 31st July 2022. A giant in Irish Publishing, his death is huge loss to the Irish Book World.
I first met Michael over 33 years ago when filled with nerves and trepidation I went to meet him in his office in Victoria Road, Rathgar to talk about my first book ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree.’ Sitting there surrounded by paintings and art he told me how much he loved the book and wanted to publish it. When I told him that I was huge bookworm and growing up and had loved all the books with chapter illustrations, he decided that ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ should have them too and went on to commission artist Donald Teskey to design the book cover and illustrations.
From the beginning I think we both realised that it was a very special book. He then asked me what my next book was about… I hadn’t the nerve to tell him I hadn’t thought of a next book yet, but blurted out about writing about the Irish in America…the little maids who worked in the big houses. He looked a bit surprised at the subject but ‘Wildflower Girl’ came next
So began a long and happy time working with Michael and my editor Ide ni Laoghaire and all the great team in O’Brien Press in Dublin. Michael took my books to the book fairs in Frankfort and Bologna and sold rights in translation across the globe in my work. He had a vision for Irish Children’s Books believing that a ‘good book’ will travel and deserves to reach young readers across the world.
Ide’s offices were in the garden of O’Brien Press and I just remember working there with her and Michael coming in to see how things were going. Every July Michael held a garden party for writers and staff, translators and agents, Michael in his straw hat greeting everyone and keeping the party going long after the sun went down. I always enjoyed spending time with him, whether it was at work or lunch or travelling for a book fair or event. He was always full of ideas and plans and campaigning to try to safe guard and grow Irish Childrens Writing and Publishing.
Over the past few months we were back working together again on ‘Fairy Hill,’ my new children’s book with Michael full of plans for it and getting a good cover! I find it so hard to believe he will not be there to see it in print.
However O’Brien Press is safe in the good hands of his sons Ivan and Eoin and the wonderful O’Brien Press Team. He will be terribly missed by all of us who had the good fortune to know him.
My thoughts are with his family Svetlana, Ivan, Eoin, Dara and Ferdia, his grand- children and everyone in O’Brien Press at this time.
In Michael’s memory read a good book!
Celebrating 25 years since the publication of ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ with Michael O’Brien and Dr Pat Donlon at Party held in Smock Alley.
I am just back from sunny West Cork and a wonderful holiday in my favourite spot- beautiful Baltimore, a fishing/sailing village which is part of the Wild Atlantic Way.
After a very busy year of work and writing and Zooms with so many wonderful young and not so young readers, it was great to just sit in the Cove and chill, dream of new books and ideas, and not even turn on a computer or laptop and barely glance at my phone.
We saw the home place where Michael Collins the great patriot and young leader was born in Clonakilty and also visited the Michael Collins Museum in Emmet Square in the town which is very close to his statue. This year marks the hundred year anniversary of his death in an ambush in nearby Beal Na mBlath on 22nd August 2022.
I am always a little sad leaving Skibbereen and heading back to Dublin, but feel relaxed and re-energized after such a great break.
The sun shone, the daffodils bloomed and the crowds came out to celebrate this year’s very special ‘St Patrick’s Day Festival’. This was a four day celebration as an extra government holiday day was added to say an official ‘Thank You’ and to acknowledge the Trojan work of all Medical and Health Care staff during the past two years of the Covid outbreak.
To add to the festivities The National Museum in Collins Barracks in Dublin hosted a brilliant few days of fun, with music, bands, dancers street performances, food trucks and events for all ages to enjoy. I was happy to come along to the ‘Story Yurt’ and talk a little bit about my writing and books with the author of the wonderful ‘Boot’ books Shane Hegarty. It was so good to get back to meeting and talking to kids of all ages about stories and book ideas.
Today all over the world we are celebrating World Book Day so pick up a book and get reading!
It also marks 25 years since the start of World Book Day.
As a mad reader and total book worm it is great to celebrate all the wonderful books that have filled my heart and mind and life since I was a kid and all the great new ones too!
It doesn’t matter if you are 9 months, 9 years or 99 years old, there is always time for finding a good book and opening that first page and beginning a new adventure in reading.
In schools, bookshops and libraries all kinds of brilliant events are happening over the coming days so whether you are dressing up as your favourite book character, designing a new book jacket, acing it in a big book quiz , testing out mad scientists experiments, or taking part in a sponsored read, enjoy World Book Day!
There are lots of special euro 1.50 book tokens which you can use in your bookshop to buy one of the great special World Book Day books!
I am involved doing lots of lovely events , talking to schools in Sligo and Newry and a fun filled online event on the day itself with Sarah Webb, Judi Curtin, Gerry Daly and John Farrelly organised by the Halfway up the Stairs bookshop in Greystones and O’Brien Press.
Marita Conlon-McKenna 