Rebel Sisters Book Launch

Posted on 08/02/2016 by fionaconlonmckenna

I was very honoured to have my book launch for my big 1916 book, Rebel Sisters, held in Dublin’s National Library on Thursday 4th February 2016.

The library is one of my favourite places and so much of the research for the book was done there, that it was very fitting. Sandra Collins, the Director of the National Library of Ireland was so generous to host the launch and made everyone feel very welcome.

Eoin McHugh, head of Transworld Ireland said more kind words. I was overwhelmed by playwright and author Frank McGuinness’s praise for the book. As Frank read a chapter from Rebel Sisters, he seemed to bring the words to life and held everyone present spellbound.

I was very privileged also that some family members of those that took part in the 1916 Easter Rising also attended.

It was such a very special night with family and friends and some of my fellow writers there too. My agent Caroline Sheldon and editor Francesca Best both came over from London to join in the celebrations.

Gathered in this wonderful, much loved building, surrounded by the National Library’s 1916 Commemoration Display, which included words and photographs of so many of the people that I have written about in the book, was strangely perfect.

I found it all very emotional as my very first book Under the Hawthorn Tree was also launched in the National Library over 25 years ago.

The celebrations and party for Rebel Sisters continued in nearby Davy Byrne’s (it is mentioned in the book).

Thanks you so much to everyone for coming along. It was a wonderful night that this grateful writer will never forget!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Rebel Sisters – Saint Brigid’s Day

Posted on 01/02/2016 by fionaconlonmckenna

It’s the 1st of February and not only am I celebrating St Brigid’s Day and the start of Spring, but also the official publication date for Rebel Sisters, my big 1916 book.

St Brigid’s Day has always been a very special day for me, as it is a celebration of women and all things creative. As my book is about the Gifford sisters and the women of 1916, it sort of seems fitting.

A box of books has arrived from the printers and I find it hard to believe that after all the researching and writing, Rebel Sisters is finally published.

Now I just need to find some rushes and reeds and to make a St Brigid’s Cross…

1916-2016 Commemoration in Schools

Posted on 18/01/2016 by fionaconlonmckenna

All across the nation, we are all getting ready to mark the Centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. There will be hundreds of events over the next year commemorating The Rising and the men and women who were involved in the fight for freedom, that ultimately lead to Irish independence.

Children in schools all around Ireland will play their own part in marking the 100 Year Commemoration of the 1916 Easter Rising. The Irish Army will present each school with the Irish flag and also with a copy of the 1916 Proclamation.

I was very privileged to attend this special ceremony in my little grand-daughter’s school. Two army officers came along to meet all the children and tell them about the importance of the Irish flag and the meaning of the 1916 Proclamation. I found it a powerful and moving event, as I could not help but think of Padraig Pearse’s small school ‘Scoil Eanna’ – where it all started over a hundred years ago. It was there that he and some of his fellow teachers had a dream of an independent, free Ireland.

As the army officer stood up and read the Proclamation aloud, with the help from one of the girls, I could not help but feel emotional as I sat there watching, knowing that Thomas MacDonagh, Padraig Pearse, James Connolly, Joe Plunkett, Tom Clarke, Sean MacDiarmada and Eamonn Ceannt would most certainly approve and be pleased that their words and actions were not forgotten.

On 15th March 2016, these flags will all be raised in schools across the countryside and flown to mark and remember the 1916 Easter Rising. The children will also write their own modern day Proclamation.

Happy Christmas!

Posted on 24/12/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

I cannot believe that another year has passed so quickly and here we are at Christmas.

It has been a busy book year writing Rebel Sisters and doing lots of book events all over the place and getting the chance to meet so many readers.
There were wonderful celebrations to mark 25 years since the publication of Under the Hawthorn Tree.

Children of the Famine trilogy Chinese editions The celebrations continue as it – alongside Wildflower Girl and Fields of Home – has just come out in China. I do hope readers there will enjoy ‘The Children of the Famine’ trilogy.

The Christmas tree is up; the house is decked out with holly and ivy from the garden. Even my dog, Buster, is getting into the festive spirit as he sits on my writing chair at my desk – with plans to write a book!!

Marita's dog, Buster Happy Christmas to all and wishing you a bright new year in 2016!

Big Celebrations for 25 years of Under the Hawthorn Tree

Posted on 17/11/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

Big Celebrations for 25 years of Under the Hawthorn Tree at Smock Alley, Dublin!

What a special night with so many friends, book fans and family coming along to join in the celebrations for 25 years of Under the Hawthorn Tree. My wonderful publishers, The O’Brien Press, organised a very special night to mark the 25th Anniversary of its publication. It only seems like yesterday that the manuscript was dropped, with much trepidation and hope, into the letter box of O’Brien Press, book publishers. Michael O’Brien loved the book and before I knew it, young artist Donald Teskey was painting the cover and designing the wonderful chapter illustrations and my book was coming out.

The book was launched on the 23rd of May 1990 in the National Library of Ireland, Dublin by Dr Patricia Donlon, then Director of the National Library. Pat had been my lecturer in UCD when I did a course on children’s literature and kindly looked at my book. She recommended that I send it to The O’Brien Press, an Irish publisher who had just started developing a children’s list.

Walking into Smock Alley’s magical Winter Garden/Banqueting Hall to be met by so many friends and book fans was wonderful. There were hugs and chats and a great sense of emotion as Michael O’Brien, my publisher, talked about the book and gave me a very special gift of fine silver hawthorn twig necklace which I will always treasure.

Pat Donlon and I had a great conversation in front of a big audience about the wonderful journey Under the Hawthorn Tree has made since it was first published. It was overwhelming to see so many faces there that have been part of that journey and to think of all the wonderful things that have happened to my story of three children, Eily, Michael and Peggy, all desperate but determined to survive the Great Irish Famine.

The event was part of the Dublin Book Festival and there was lots of wine and photographs and stories. Afterwards we all headed for the Clarence Hotel, where the party continued until late into the night.

It was a magical night and one this very grateful author will never forget.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.