Dun Laoghaire’s Lexicon Library was a hive of activity for the launch of
Sarah Webb’s wonderful new book ‘ Be Inspired.’
The book is a celebration of 28 talented and bright Irish young people who are changing the world. Many have already made their mark on life.
Sarah wrote and researched the book over the Covid lockdown and it is illustrated by Graham Corcoran.
Ivan O’Brien from publishers O’Brien Press launched the book and many of the O’ Brien team were there. This very special launch was tinged with a little sadness as Michael O’Brien and Sarah’s wonderful Mum Melissa had both passed away recently.
Young bee-keeper Rian Somers told me about the 60,000 bees in his hives and kindly gave me a little pot of his honey. Talented young journalist Zainab Boladale talked of her journey to becoming a TV journalist and RTE Presenter and talented singer songwriter Michael Moloney blew everyone with one of his own songs.
To add to all the excitement we discovered that Sarah Webb has just been shortlisted for The An Post Book Awards Author of the Year Award.
With Dr Jason King of Irish Heritage Trust at the new National Irish Famine Museum at Strokestown Park House
It was a real pleasure to be back in Strokestown Park House on Saturday for a very special event ‘Archive to Arts’ which marked the launch of Treasures of the Strokestown Famine Archive Virtual Exhibit.
Strokestown Park’s collection of records and documents is a real treasure trove with over 50,000 documents and items which will help provide huge information about the parallel lives of tenants of Strokestown and its landowners, the Mahon family during a turbulent and tragic time in Irish history.
As a writer I often spend a huge amount of time researching and using archives so it is great to mark the start of an exciting project which will over time make parts of the collection with its valuable letters, petitions and eviction and emigration lists available digitally to all those with an interest in Strokestown Park House and the Great Irish Famine.
It was also a great opportunity for me to see the redesigned National Famine Museum which only recently reopened after a huge upgrade and tells the Strokestown Story in a hugely immersive way. Set in a bright new airy space with a lovely café it is well worth visiting.
The day was spent discussing the varied aspects of artists using archives to inspire their work, be it in theatre and performance, literature or art or music and how using archives can not only inform us but be a catalyst for something new. Other speakers included Anne -Marie O’Sullivan of Enchanted Croi Theatre, Professor Mark McGowan, Professor Kevin Whelan and singer and writer Declan O’Rourke.
With Anne-Marie O’ Sullivan, Declan O Rourke and Carolin Callery of Strokestown Park House
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.
Marita Conlon-McKenna 