Dublin History Festival and National Famine Commemoration 2015-Newry

Posted on 28/09/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

I seem to be surrounded by history at the moment. This year’s National Famine Commemoration was held in Newry – the first time this important event was held in Northern Ireland.

I took part in a large event organised for schools held in St Dallan’s Primary School in Warrenpoint, where children from over 30 schools came along to find out about the Famine. In the afternoon we did a live video conference with almost 90 schools and also linking with Pittsburgh in the USA, where former US ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney, talked about his own family having to emigrate from the port at Warrenpoint during the time of the Famine.

As part of the Dublin Festival of History I talked to a lovely group in Dublin Castle. What a wonderful setting to talk, as it is steeped in centuries of Irish history.

The Dublin Festival of History runs until 10th October with lots more events in Dublin Castle and in libraries around the city.

About Sisterland

Posted on 14/09/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

It was lovely to go along to the Dublin’s Writers’ Centre for the launch of Martina Devlin’s thought provoking new book About Sisterland which is set in a society that is run by women.

I met lots of writers and publishing friends.

What a great way to kick-off the autumn book season by toasting Martina’s latest work!

Maebh Ruane, Marita, Claudia Carroll and June Considine

Marita, Martina Devlin and Sarah Webb

Celebrations for 25 years of Under the Hawthorn Tree!

Posted on 28/05/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

It’s hard to believe that it is 25 years since Under the Hawthorn Tree was first published.

The O’Brien Press organised a lovely big event in Hodges Figgis Book shop on Dawson Street in Dublin to mark the occasion. Amazing kids and their teachers from three schools came along to meet me.

Everyone had lots of questions and I had a brilliant time, so thanks to everyone.

25 years on and I still love writing, have lots of pictures in my head and new stories I want to write…

Marita at 25 anniversary of Hawthorn event

Newry and Mourne Museum visit

Posted on 18/05/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

I travelled up to Bagenal’s Castle, which is home to the Newry and Mourne Museum, to talk to a lovely group from the local schools about writing and the Great Irish Famine.

Earlier on, as part of the Museum’s ‘Living History’ initiative, the group had been shown how to make stirabout and to use yellow meal. They were also introduced to the strict rules and regulations of the Workhouse as they sat at long trestle tables in the Museum’s re-created workhouse dining hall.

A lovely trip and then back to Dublin and finishing my new book…

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!