The Picasso Exhibition in The National Gallery

Posted on 03/12/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

I highly recommend a visit to The Pablo Picasso Exhibition currently on in The National Gallery, Dublin, which is a collection of work from his studio (which he would apparently not sell).

This wonderfully curated show is visually stunning with a wide selection of his art work over different periods. It is a celebration of the Picasso’s long life and continued need to paint and create and work until just before he died.

It is interesting on every level and entertaining and also backed up with a detailed and helpful telling of his life story. The additional filmed clips of Picasso being interviewed, making ceramic pottery doves to be fired in a local pottery and relaxing in his garden in the south of France bring a sense of intimacyand connection to the show.

The exhibition opened in October and will run until the 22^nd February 2026. Tickets are available from the National Gallery but must be booked in advance, with children going free.

Another one to watch out for is The Gate Theatre’s stage adaption of ‘Poor’ by Katriona O Sullivan. It is a rare theatre experience to see such a powerful and heart rending account of a childhood of poverty, neglect and abuse turned in to such a triumphant and deeply involving play. I loved the book but seeing Sonya Kelly’s adaption is a very special experience and makes you realise the power of good drama, acting and direction (Roisin McBrinn), in bringing this complex story to life. There were stunning performances from young Pippa Owens (child) and Aisling O’Mara (adult) and Hilda Fay (mother).

‘Poor’ sold out its run in October but following rave reviews will return to the Gate Theatre on 13^th March and run until 26^th April 2026 so …get booking.

Greystones Whale Theatre ‘Legends of Children’s Writing’

Posted on 25/10/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

Tom McCaughren, Marita Conlon McKenna, Patricia Forde and Don Conroy

It is always a joy to be back in Greystones but this time it was for a very special event in the Whale Theatre with my old friends Tom McCaughren, Don Conroy and the Children’s Laureate Patricia Forde which was organised by writer Sarah Webb and Trish Hennessy of ‘Halfway up the Stairs’ book shop in Greystones.

We had so much fun and it was great to chat with Patricia sabout when we all started writing children’s books and all the good times we’ve had since then. We had a lovely audience of fans and bookworms who came along to meet us, some having travelled from afar.

We all are still busy writing. Tom’s wonderful new picture book for young children ‘Run Home Little Fox’ has just been published with beautiful illustrations by Shannon Bergin has already been shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards.

Afterwards it was lovely to meet and chat to so many young readers and some older ones too. Thank you so much for to Sarah and Trish for organising a Saturday that we will all remember and to everyone that came along.

Sarah Webb, Don Conroy, Marita, Tom McCaughren, Patricia Forde and Trish Hennessy

Children’s Book Festival Galway

Posted on 21/10/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

Westside Library, Galway with librarians Jo Fahy and Meliosa McIntyre

I am just back from two busy days in Galway as part of the Children’s Book Festival. I got to visit the amazing Westside Library which is a hive of creative and artistic work. There is a brilliant spooky Halloween kids section and so much art work on display that I was blown away. I even got to meet a local craft group, who are busy doing a project on 1925 in patchwork and collage. There were lots of brilliant young readers who came along to meet me and were full of ideas and stories. It is always a joy to visit Galway, one of my favourite cities.

The next day it was on to Ballinasloe Library with its tall windows and stunning views and more art and the beautiful old church which adjoins it and is used as an exhibition and gallery space. I loved meeting so many brilliant young readers there. What a setting talking to everyone surrounded by the amazing colours of the stained glass all around us.

Thank you to Meliosa and Sharleen and all the librarians who arranged the visits and looked after me. I am in Cavan town library this week as part of the Festival.

Westside’s spooky kids section and Ballinasloe Library.

Wild, Windy and Wet in Cork!

Posted on 10/10/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

Summercove N.S. Kinsale with School Principal Louise Hallissey

Despite Storm Amy and arriving rather windblown and wet I had a brilliant few days in Cork meeting some amazing young readers and writers.

First there was Bishop Aherne National School in Leamlara School near Glanmire. A school literally in the woods with welcoming teachers and great kids which is a magical place. The original school was built in 1847 during The Great Irish Famine. It was lovely also to meet recently retired principal Mrs Marie Murphy too, who told me about reading ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ to her class sitting in the wood surround by trees.

Then on to Summercove N.S in Kinsale, where the waves were wild and stormy and coming up over the pier. Another amazing school who are also busy reading my books , it was an emotional visit when one of the teachers Muireann Ni Raghallaigh got out her violin and played ‘Isle of Hope and Isle of Tears ‘and all the children sang together , one of those rare special moments in your life.

Cosied up at lunch in The Bulman afterwards as the storm blew. The next day talked to a great crowd in Kinsale’s new Library which is well worth a visit. A wonderful array of readers of all ages turned up for my conversation with Kate Murphy. What a great audience!

I went to some brilliant events with Diarmuid Ferriter and Peadar Thompson and also one with author Niall Williams. I got a wonderful warm welcome from Maureen Tierney as stayed in her lovely Friars Lodge, right in the heart of Kinsale. Had some great food, shout out Man Friday and some great music, talented Cork singer and guitarist Bo Collins who blew us all away with her voice in The Blue Haven. Thanks to Kate, Maureen and Susan everyone at the ‘Words by Water Festival,’ for looking after me so well during my visit.

Summercove School with Muireann ni Raghallaigh, Bishop Ahern School with principal Billy O Connor teacher Laura Butler, and former principal Marie Murphy and Class. Kate Murphy in Kinsale Library.

Words by Water Festival in Kinsale

Posted on 27/09/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

Kinsale Town, Cork

I will be heading to one of my favourite places in Cork, the town of Kinsale for its ‘Words by Water Festival’ next weekend. It runs from October 2^nd to the 5^th.

There is a wonderful line up of events and workshops organised over the few days in the most beautiful setting, overlooking the water. Could anything be more perfect, writers, books and lots of lovely words!

I will be talking in the wonderful new library in Kinsale on Saturday 4^th October where hopefully I will get to meet lots of young readers and future writers.

The library was originally an old mill from the 1800’s which has been repurposed into a state of the art library and cultural space. It is always great to see exciting regeneration projects like this rather than the terrible dereliction and decay of old buildings that blight so many of our towns and villages.