‘Beyond The Stars’ Book Launch

Posted on 03/10/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

What a big night! Lots of fun In Eason’s to celebrate the launch of Beyond the Stars – a collection of amazing short stories by 23 authors and illustrators including budding young author Emma Brade, who won the story competition.

The book is the brain child of Irish author Sarah Webb who persuaded everyone to either write a story or create an illustration for this magical book.

The book will raise lots of money for Fighting Words – the brilliant centre set up in Dublin by Roddy Doyle and Sean Love to encourage kids of all ages to get creative and write.

Sarah Webb and Marita

My story ‘The Snow Globe’ is about Cass who hates moving house. She buys a snow globe at a Christmas market and soon discovers its mystery and magic. The illustrations are by the wonderful P.J. Lynch who manages to capture my story perfectly.

Ruth Alltimes and her team at Harper Collins have produced a very special book which hopefully everyone will go out buy or put on their Christmas List.

Martina Devlin’s The House Where It Happened

Posted on 15/09/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

On a bright sunny September evening, I joined lots of writers and journalists to celebrate the launch of Martina Devlin’s new book The House where it Happened in the Irish Writers’ Centre on Parnell Square. I hate saying goodbye to summer but September always brings books and lovely book launches.

A huge crowd turned up to cheer Martina on and RTE Journalist Anne Cassin launched the book. It is based on real life events and the trial and death of eight young women as witches back in 1700s in the Isle of Magee. Stirring stuff and a book I am dying to read!

Sarah Webb, Marita, Clare Dowling and Karen Gilleece

Irish Women Artists

Posted on 04/08/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

Irish Women's Art I finally made it along to Adam’s in Dublin to see this amazing collection of art by some incredibly talented Irish female artists. This large group of artists includes Norah McGuinness, Estella Solomons, Mainie Jellet, Rose Barton, Evie Hone, Sarah Purser, Lily Yeats, Joan Jameson, Grace Gifford and Elizabeth Rivers.

All of the artists were working – painting and illustrating – during the same period in Ireland and were part of a very vibrant art scene.

Many studied at Dublin’s Metropolitan Art School and the breadth and variety of their work really impressed me and made me wonder why we don’t hear more about them!

The exhibition moves to The Ava Gallery in Bangor for August.

Dalkey Book Festival

Posted on 27/06/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

The sun always shines for the Dalkey Book Festival! There is no nicer place than this seaside village to sit around in cafes, restaurants and pubs talking about books. Kirsty Wark discussed writing her first novel The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle in a packed St Patrick’s Church overlooking the sea. Interviewed by Miriam O’Callaghan she talked about Scotland, her work as journalist and thoughts on media and teenagers.

A summer’s evening, perfect to have dinner in the Tramyard with my author friends Sarah Webb, Catherine Dunne, Claire Dowling and Martina O’Reilly who was celebrating the recent launch of her new bestseller Things I want you to know.

It was a busy week as I saw Bryan Ferry give a stunning performance in the National Concert Hall and also attended Mary Finn’s lovely book launch for No Stars in the Circus where playwright Frank McGuinness talked glowingly about Mary’s work.

Marita, Frank McGuinness and Mary Finn

National Famine Commemoration 11th May 2014

Posted on 09/05/2014 by fionaconlonmckenna

This year’s National Famine Commemoration will be held in Strokestown Park House (home of the National Irish Famine Museum) Roscommon on Sunday 11th May 2014 at 2.30pm.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Jimmy Deenihan will attend the ceremony, which is open to the public. There will be music, readings and poetry and the laying of a wreath to remember the many victims of Ireland’s Great Famine.

There is a full programme of events which includes a Famine Walk and a Children’s Soup Kitchen Workshop on Saturday 10th May in Strokestown.

It is so important for all of us to remember the Great Irish Famine and the generations of people who died and emigrated during those tragic times.