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!

New book – Rebel Sisters

Posted on 23/07/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

Rebel Sisters cover I am very excited to get the stunning cover design for my new book, Rebel Sisters, from Transworld, my lovely publishers in London.

The book is set during the 1916 Rising and I have been working on it over the past few years. It will be published in late January/early February 2016.

I hope all my readers will become as engrossed in the lives of three sisters – Nellie, Muriel and Grace Gifford – and their mother Isabella as I have.

They were incredible women who lived through one of the most important periods in Irish history and were involved in Ireland’s fight for freedom from British rule.

The Road to the Rising

Posted on 08/04/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

What a wonderful Easter Monday with the sun shining and Dublin’s O’Connell Street transformed into to Sackville Street 1915 with no traffic and a vintage carousel, tram, cars, and a steam-engine!

Hundreds of actors dressed in period costume set the scene as thousands of us Dubliners thronged the crowded street, enjoying the demonstrations of millinery, hairstyling, men’s outfitting, baking and barrel making. Choirs and musicians from two open air stages sang songs of the period as we enjoyed a day of living history. There were guided tours, and a whole host of talks that were absolutely packed out in the Gresham Hotel, Wynn’s Hotel, Liberty Hall, the Abbey Theatre and the GPO, such is the interest in our history and the past.

As my new book is set during the period it really did help me to imagine those times and I attended a wonderful talk by family members of The Volunteers and one that gave us amazing detail about life for both the rich and the poor during that period.

I have never seen such a massive crowd on the street and the atmosphere was wonderful and friendly. So, congratulations to RTE and everyone involved in organising such a major public event that we will all remember.

A perfect two days was rounded off by seeing Paul Simon and Sting perform at the Three Arena. It was an absolute privilege to be in the audience and hear songs that are so special to so many of us. An unforgettable performance by two incredible musicians!