A VISIT TO BALLYMUN BOOK CLUB

Posted on 07/12/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with The Balymun Book Club

Everyone knows by now that libraries are one of my favourite places so it was a real treat to be invited along to the lovely library in Ballymun to meet and talk to their Book Club.

They are a great bunch of young readers and the junior Book Club is run by librarian Caitriona O’Doherty. They had all just finished reading my book The Blue Horse so we had plenty to talk about. I was thrilled to hear they had also enjoyed reading Fairy Hill last year. They meet every month and read everything from newly published children’s books to old favourites and the classics, perfect for these brilliant bright bookworms. Over Christmas and New Year they will be reading The Wind in the Willows.

Ballymun library is a very special place and right at the heart of the community, with Writers Groups, art groups, and book clubs including a Murder one, study space and all kinds of events to encourage people to use the library. My friend librarian Sarah Conroy showed me around and Peter O Reilly, the senior librarian, is justifiably proud of their mission to get everyone reading, and using the library.

Peter O’Reilly, Caitriona O Doherty, Marita and Sarah Conroy in Ballymun Library

Celebrating 50 Years of O’Brien Press

Posted on 12/11/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with Kunak McGann

There were great celebrations to mark the 50 years of my Publishers O’Brien Press. The party was held in The Printworks at Dublin Castle as part of the busy Dublin Book Festival. It is hard to believe that it all began with Thomas O’ Brien’s little book library which he ran from his home and also went around Dublin delivering books in a cart. Over time the business has grown and grown with many of the O’Brien family involved. Michael O’Brien published my first book ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ in 1990 and they are still my publisher. We have worked together on so many lovely books over the years.

Since Michael’s death his son Ivan and director Kunak McGann continue on the good work, publishing a huge range of adult and Children’s fiction, and non- fiction books, and O’Brien press is a very important part of the Irish publishing industry.

The room was packed with authors and illustrators and book people delighted to be part of such a lovely evening. A special edition of Michael O’ Brien’s memoir of being ‘The Accidental Publisher’ was gifted to everyone present.

Earlier that day Sarah Webb had organised a get together for Irish children’s writers in the castle too.

Marita with Ivan and Susan Houlden , Ide ni Laoghaire, Jane O Hanlon and Siobhan Parkinson, and having lunch with friends Sarah Webb and Judi Curtin.

‘Drawn to Nature’ Book Launch

Posted on 12/11/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with artist and writer Don Conroy

Crowds of friends and family gathered in Hodges Figgis bookshop on Dublin’s Dawson Street, for the launch of my good friend artist and naturalist Don Conroy’s stunning new book ‘Drawn to Nature’.

It is truly beautiful with Don’s incredible wildlife illustrations of all kinds of birds and animals that can be encountered during walks and strolls in Irish landscapes with Don urging us all to take time to observe nature and enjoy and marvel at it and allow our senses to awaken and look with fresh and creative eyes at the natural world around us.

Don who has dedicated so much of his life to protecting and promoting wildlife and nature, has created a unique joy filled art work with his illustrations and beautiful paintings that will resonate with so many readers and nature lovers of all ages.

Don and I have been friends for such a long time and it was lovely to meet up with all the talented Conroy family again.

‘Drawn to Nature’ by Don Conroy is published by Gill Books

Ballymena Bound to Visit Slemish College

Posted on 28/10/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with Librarian Paula Agnew and English Teachers from Slemish College

October is always a busy month for Children’s Writers and I found myself Ballymena bound to visit Slemish College Secondary School. Hearing all about its marvellous library which has become the heart of the school I really felt I had to come and visit it.

Librarian Paula Agnew has made the library a very special place for all the students, who told me how much they use it and go there even during lunch breaks. I’m not surprised as its array and display of books would put many a bookshop to shame.

I met all the lovely teachers from the English Department and talked to groups of students, many of them brilliant readers with some really keen to write and create their own books.

The fact we were in the large library made it extra special as libraries are one of my favourite places.

Traveling back to Dublin on the train I was a tired but happy writer and was absolutely thrilled with the beautiful gift of a hawthorn print that the school presented me with.

The students of Slemish College, Ballymena Marita with librarian Paula Agnew

Jim Callery marks his 90th Birthday by walking The National Famine Way

Posted on 16/10/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Founder of the National Famine Museum Jim Callery On Dublin’s Custom House Quay after Walking the 165 kilometre National Famine Way on his 90th birthday

Jim Callery founder of The National Famine Museum in Strokestown marked his 90^th Birthday by walking the National Famine Way from Strokestown all along the Royal Canal to Dublin. He set off on 25^th September walking the 165km, which commemorates the journey of 1,490 tenants of Major Denis Mahon that were evicted from Strokestown Park House Estate in May 1847 and had to walk along the canal to Dublin to board ships to Liverpool during Ireland’s Great Famine.

From Liverpool’s over- crowded and disease ridden port the tenants then sailed on ships to Canada and Quebec. Many would lose their lives on the ill-fated sea journey, some buried at sea or dying in the quarantine sheds of Grosse Isle or in Quebec’s Marine Hospital .Those that survived the harrowing conditions working hard to make new lives in Canada.

The incredible Jim Callery arrived into final stage of his long walk to Customs House Quay and the Famine Statues near the Epic Museum on Tuesday 15^th October …his actual 90^th birthday to be greeted by his proud family and friends celebrating the long life of this incredible man. Along the way he has raised over Euros 50,000 for charities to help Immigrants and talked about all those who have are still forced to immigrate and leave their home place behind and how little has been learned by mankind in over 200 years of history.

Jim Callery is an inspiration to all of us who have the good fortune to know him and has made a huge contribution to Ireland and preserving our history. So instead of a big birthday party he decided that walking the National Famine Way to commemorate the Great Irish Famine and retrace the footsteps of the Strokestown Tenants was what he wanted to do. What an achievement to celebrate his 90^th birthday!

Details about walking the National Famine Way are on: https://nationalfamineway.ie 