What a great turn out for the launch of Reading Champions in Pearse Street Library in Dublin.
Lots of writers, librarians, sports people and readers came along to promote books and reading. We all had to bring along a copy of our favourite book so I opted for Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods. The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, presented us with medals for promoting reading.
More information on this initiative is available here.
What can I say about Christine Buckley that has not been said! She was feisty and fearless and unafraid to challenge the world around her. She told her story, the story of a small girl abandoned and abused by those that were supposed to care for her and raise her. She was the one voice that broke the silence of hundreds of neglected children who grew up in orphanages and industrial schools all over Ireland. She fought and campaigned hard and long for justice for those that so deserved it. She set up the Aislinn Centre in Dublin for survivors of institutional abuse, a place of welcome, refuge, education and friendship for all those that had never experienced these things during the times they needed it –their childhood.
Despite all that had happened to Christine she was never bitter and loved life, people and the world around her. Injustice in any shape or fashion drove her crazy. She adored children and had such an amazing rapport with them. She grabbed life and enjoyed it despite the dark days of her past. Her family were everything and her house and garden a place of love, laughter and care. A highly intelligent, articulate woman who challenged the church, the government, politicians and society constantly…she will be truly missed.
What can I say about Christine? I am lucky…she was my friend.
Christine Buckley and Marita
World Book Day at the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, Northern Ireland.
I had a wonderful day up at ‘The Folk Park’ meeting lots of young readers and talking about what else but books and reading and writing!
Joining in the celebrations and the big interview with David Huntley was Northern Ireland Minister for Education John O’Dowd, illustrator Oisin McGann and publisher Ivan O’Brien. So much talk about books made me want to just curl up and read one!
Thanks to schools all over Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland that joined in the busy live video conference where I got to talk to so many of you and try to answer your questions. Special thanks to everyone at the Ulster American Folk Park especially Eamon and Peter and all the film crew and their big truck for making it happen!
I was delighted to be at the Irish PEN Dinner where this year’s Irish PEN Award for contribution to Irish Literature went to renowned playwright and author, Frank McGuinness. Fellow playwright Sebastian Barry made the presentation at the annual Irish PEN Dinner which was held at The Royal St. George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.
A host of Frank’s friends and theatre folk including Abbey Theatre director Fiach Mac Conghail and actress Rosaleen Linehan, publisher Michael O’Brien and his editor Ide Ni Laoghaire joined in the celebrations at the dinner. What a lovely night to acknowledge the massive contribution Frank has made to Irish Literature. This past year alone has brought Frank’s adaptation of The Dead and his new play The Hanging Gardens to the Abbey and also the publication of his novel Arimathea.
Marita Conlon-McKenna 