Category Archives: Events

Frank McGuinness wins Irish PEN Award

Posted on by

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.

DSCF3554

Wonderful Shanghai Book Fair

Posted on by

Back from a busy week at the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair.It was my first visit to China and I was very honoured to talk at the Book Fair itself and also to get the chance to meet publishers, editors, translators along with Chinese writers and readers. Ireland Literature Exchange had a stand at the Book Fair and Sinead MacAodha certainly flew the flag for Irish writing and books. She also very kindly introduced my event at the Fair.
Along with some great Chinese children’s writers I was asked to read at a packed evening event at Changning District Library. It was lovely to meet so many young readers who had come along with their parents.
Visiting a busy Shanghai School in a city of 20 million people was a highlight. Being given the chance to tour the school and meet and talk to some of their students about my books and writing was very special. I had a wonderful translator Fei who ensured that there was no problem with communicating over the few days.
I have learned so much about China and found its people open and welcoming and interested in books and writing and most of all imagination…

China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair

Posted on by

I’m really excited getting packed and ready to go to the China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair in China this week. Hope to meet lots of lovely readers as I will be talking at ‘The Fair’ and also in a local school about my books. Full of curiosity to discover the world of Chinese children’s books and writing and am looking forward to meeting some Chinese children’s writers.

Shanghai Banner

Children’s Book Festival 2013

Posted on by

The big annual Children’s Book Festival kicks off for the month of October.

I’m going to be busy visiting libraries and schools and bookshops all over the country, talking about books and reading and writing with lots of great young readers from all over Ireland.

I will be in Tipperary and Laois and Northern Ireland along with a few Dublin visits too. It’s always fun meeting everyone to talk about books. There will be lots of brilliant events all around Ireland so check out your local library or school library to see what’s happening and join in all the fun of the Festival!

Monster Book Lunch

Posted on by

I had a fantastic time as usual at The Monster Book Lunch in The Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday. I got to talk to lots of great readers and hopefully a few new young writers about my books and ideas. Had a lovely table and we had great fun chatting over lunch as the girls came up with cover ideas and asked me lots of questions about my books. Lots of other lovely writers along too, including Sarah Webb, Cathy Cassidy, Oisin McGann and David Maybury. It was great to meet so many fans and get time with them.