Fireworks and Festivals…

Posted on 27/10/2015 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with Nicola Pierce, Brian Gallagher and Grainne Clear. Photo by ROCSHOT

It’s that time of year again, the Children’s Book Festival, when I am travelling all over the place, meeting people and talking about books.

I had great fun at the Red Line Festival, talking in the Civic Theatre in Tallaght with author friends Nicola Pierce and Brian Gallagher and interviewer Grainne Clear about how and why we all love researching and writing about history.

Fireworks Wexford Opera Festival 2015 Then I packed my bags and went down to Wexford for a few days during the Wexford Opera Festival. I had a wonderful evening in Wexford’s Library where journalist Tom Mooney and I discussed writing and met lots of interested writers and readers. Next day it was the kids’ and schools’ turn and I sure got to meet plenty of them at two packed out events in the library.

Wexford was buzzing and I joined all the crowds down on the waterfront watching the spectacular firework display which launched the annual opera festival. The streets of the city were thronged as it was such a warm autumn night. There is opera everywhere in Wexford town and lots of events – with some art too.

Marita, Wexford Library October 2015

I visited a great art exhibition held upstairs in Greenacres’ gallery with pieces by some of my favourite Irish sculptors, John Behan and Eamonn Ceannt.

The next day I talked in Enniscorthy Library to a lovely gang before heading off to meet my author friend, Don Conroy, for lunch… and a big chat about books…

The Children’s Book Festival will continue until the end of October with lots of fun events in libraries and book shops all around the country.

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…