Meeting some of my wonderful readers!

It was lovely to get such a warm welcome taking part in the ‘Hinterland Festival’ in Kells, which had a range of great speakers and events over a few days. It was my first time at the festival and I really enjoyed it.  I was talking at Eureka House to a fabulous crowd of readers not just young but all ages who have enjoyed my books. It was heartening to meet so many fans and to get time to chat afterwards as we signed books, bookmarks and an autograph book (Just like the one I had when I was a kid).

It’s a beautiful country town full of history with an ancient Irish High Cross and lots to see. I was lucky to be able to go and see my friend Cristin Leach who was talking and reading from her book ‘Negative Spaces’ in the old Courthouse. Afterwards we were well looked after by Penny and Heather and the rest of the festival crew in the town’s Book Mark Cafe. Thanks to everyone involved for organising  a great festival.

Jason King, Marita Conlon McKenna and Jim Callery of Strokestown Park House, Roscommon.

What a perfect summer’s evening to be on the Dublin quays overlooking the river Liffey for the launch of ‘Hunger and Hope’, a book all about the Irish Famine Migration from Strokestown Roscommon in 1847, which was written by Christine Kinealy, Jason King and Mark McGowan.

It is a comprehensive and fascinating study of the 1,490 tenants who were evicted from Strokestown Park House and Estate and accepted paid passage to Canada.  Mostly women and children many of them unfortunately lost their lives on the journey or died of fever on Grosse Isle, but others began new lives and in time settled in Canada and North America.   

 It was lovely to meet up with old friends and get to see Jim Callery and his wife Adeline who have done so much to contribute to the ongoing huge interest and research into the Great Irish Famine with Strokestown Park House and the National Famine Museum.

Caroilin Callery helped to launch the book. There was a special treat as singer and musician Grainne Hunt  performed a few songs from the new musical ‘In the Midst of Plenty ‘, written by Amy Day and directed by Anne –Marie O Sullivan, and produced by Enchanted Croi Theatre. The musical is based on the events in Stokestown during the famine. The show is currently on tour around Ireland until 28 July. I had the good fortune to see it in Mullingar only a few weeks ago.  

 Grainne Hunt, Amy Day and Anne Marie O Sullivan

Jason King, Christine Kinealy and Mark McGowan