‘The Hungry Road’ Book Launch

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Pat Donlon, Marita and Fiona Murphy of Transworld Ireland

Exciting times with the launch of my new book The Hungry Road at Eason’s book shop in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre in Dublin on Thursday.  It was great to see so many friends and family brave the elements to come along to celebrate with me on this very special night.    My agent, Caroline Sheldon came all the way from London to cheer me on.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my wonderful publisher Fiona Murphy of Transworld Ireland who encouraged me every step of the way with this epic novel about The Great Hunger. My friend Pat Donlon, former director of The National Library of Ireland kindly agreed to launch ‘The Hungry Road’ for me.  I felt it was serendipity as she has played such a big part in my writing career and was the one who launched my first book ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’.

Thank you to Eason’s who looked after the large crowd really well. They have always been so kind and so supportive to me over all my years of writing and publishing.

The launch party continued as the merry crew made our way to Davy Byrne’s to mark the occasion of the publication of The Hungry Road.  A heartfelt thanks to everyone for helping to make it such a memorable  book launch.

Caroline Sheldon, Pat Donlon, Marita and Fiona Murphy.      P.L. Lynch and Marita

The Hungry Road is just out!

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It is always a bit nerve wracking when your new book comes out after a year or two or three of writing, to finally get to hold the published book in your hand and to see it go from the printer’s pallets into the wholesalers, then into the book shops all around the city and country.

Is it any wonder that these past few days that I am torn between excitement and relief and a bit of panic that ‘The Hungry Road is finally published?

It’s been a busy few days signing hundreds of books in Argosy and Eason’s bookshops and Dubray and Hodges Figgis, meeting some of my favourite people – booksellers.

It’s always so good to meet and talk to book lovers and journalists and writers and I really enjoyed a big chat about the book with Ryan Tubridy on Radio One.  I also got such a kind welcome from Mairead Ronan on Today FM and Alan Hughes and Karen Koster on Ireland Am.

The Hungry Road has at last started its journey

 

The Hungry Road

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What a great way to start the New Year with the publication of my big new book ‘The Hungry Road.’

Inspired by true Irish heroes the book is set during the Great Irish Famine and took me almost three years to write and research and to put flesh on the bones of such an epic story.  It tells of of great courage, the kindness of good people, and the strength of the human spirit. At times I found it heart-breaking to read accounts of the times that I was writing about.  But finally my book is done and hopefully ‘The Hungry Road’ will find its way into the hands, hearts and minds of my readers.

There will be a lovely launch in Dublin and also in Skibbereen in West Cork, which I am really looking forward to later on this month.

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‘Ireland’s hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight strikes terror in the heart of Irish people 

  1. Seamstress Mary Sullivan’s dreams of a better future are shattered as she looks out over their ruined crop. Refusing to give in to despair, she must use every ounce of courage and strength to protect her family as they fight to survive

Dr Dan Donovan is medical officer to the Skibbereen Union. The arrival of ‘The Hunger’ soon brings starving men, women and children crowding into the town and the workhouse desperate for assistance.

Parish Priest Rev John Fitzpatrick’s faith is tested by the suffering that surrounds him as the town’s pleas for help to the authorities fall on deaf ears.’

‘The Hungry Road’ by Marita Conlon- McKenna

 

 

‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ is back on stage in 2020

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What good news to hear that the stage version of Under the Hawthorn Tree is returning to The Mac Theatre in Belfast at the end of January 2020!

The Cahoots production of my book adapted for the stage by Charles Way and directed by Paul McEneaney is stunning, with a great cast and Garth McConaghie’s music is so evocative.

The very good news is that after its run in Belfast the show will tour around Ireland. It will travel to theaters both in the North and South.  ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree is in Dublin’s Pavilion Theatre for only one day so grab tickets while you can.   I just can’t wait to go and see it again.

 

‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ Stage Production Tour Schedule  

30 Jan-9 Feb 2020 | The MAC, Belfast

12 Feb | The Ardhowen, Enniskillen

14 Feb | Íontas Theatre, Castleblayney

16 Feb | Pavilion Theatre, Dún Laoghaire

19 Feb | Cork Opera House

21 Feb | Siamsa Tire, Tralee

23-24 Feb | National Opera House, Wexford

26 Feb | Burnavon, Cookstown

28-29 Feb 2020| Market Place Theatre, Armagh

 

Dubray StoryFest at Airfield

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Oisin, Judi and I in the Green Barn in Airfield

Marita with writers Oisin McGann and Judi Curtin 

The sun came out and the hens clucked and the donkeys brayed, as hordes of young readers and their families swarmed to the beautiful Airfield Estate in Dundrum for the Dubray StoryFest, an extravaganza of story and illustration held in the acres of wonderful gardens and farm of Airfield.

There were book hunts, cartoon competitions and writers and illustrators galore for young readers to meet during this fun filled day which was organised by the wonderful Sarah Webb and Dubray’s Maria Dickenson and Susan Walsh.

I was involved in ‘The Magical History Tour’ held in the big Green Barn with writers Oisin McGann and Judi Curtin.

It was great to meet so many writers and bookseller friends and to enjoy the supper held afterwards in the old house. Thanks to all who organised such a special story filled day!

Marita with Sarah Webb and Don Conroy         Sunflowers and cabbages