‘Irish Women in Literature’

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It was lovely to revisit Strokestown Park House to participate in their two day Irish Women in Literature Symposium which was opened by Councillor Orla Leden, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon and had a special focus on the forgotten women of Irish Literature

Professor Christine Kinealy of Quinnipac University gave us a fascinating account of the life of Fanny Parnell and her writing and immense contribution to Irish Nationalism.

Professor Luke Gibbons of Maynooth University, provided an absorbing insight into the world of Irish Women Writers some who hailed from Roscommon. He talked about the huge success enjoyed  by the work of Charlotte O Connor Eccles, , Grace Little Rhys, and the  prolific Bitha May Croker who  wrote 50 novels and had ‘The Road to Mandalay’ filmed. Much of their work is unfortunately now out of print but certainly these women deserve to be remembered for their contribution to Irish literature.

Nuala O’Connor talked about her work and read from ‘Miss Emily’ and a wonderful short story that has just been published in her new collection ‘Joyride to Jupiter ‘.

On Friday Dr Margaret Corporaal, Assoc Professor of Radboud University, Holland  gave us an in depth  talk about the life and work of Mary Anne Sadlier , who emigrated to Canada in 1844 and with her writing came to represent  the voice of the Irish Catholic Diaspora.

Strokestown Poetry presented a talented group of Roscommon Poets Reading from their work with Jessamine O’Connor finishing up a wonderful few days by reading from The Hermit Collective.

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 Jason King, Mary Butler, Nuala O’Connor, Orla Leden, Caroilin Callery, Christine Kinealy & Marita Conlon-McKenna

Children’s Book’s Ireland Celebrates 20 Years!

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Kate Di Camillo  & Marita Conlon-McKenna

Culture Night 2017 was such a balmy evening, that Dublin was packed with culture lovers of all ages keen to enjoy the events and to explore some of the great buildings that were open to the public.

I was one of the writers in the big glass shop window of ‘Dubray Books’ on Grafton Street  reading  for the charity ‘Aware’, to  the passing crowds all about. It was a bit strange at first standing there with a microphone that could be heard out on the busy street but we all soon got used to it.

I was delighted to meet one of my all- time favourite American authors Kate Di Camillo, who was also taking part and reading from her new book ‘Raymie Nightingale’.

Saturday was the annual Children’s Book’s Ireland Conference at The Lighthouse Cinema.  It is hard to believe that CBI is celebrating 20 years!!

It was a privilege to listen to the wonderful Lucy Cousins, creator of the much loved Maisie books talk about her work and even see some of her early childhood drawings.

Illustrators Chris Judge and Rob Biddulph chatted about the life of an illustrator as they showed us some of their work, followed by   Anna Carey and Lucy Adlington talking about writing history, and the importance of research and detail. Shane Hegarty , John Boyne and Cecelia Ahearne discussed the difference between writing for adults and children.

However the highlight for me was the wonderful Kate di Camillo, who talked about her childhood and growing up and the importance of learning to look at the world.

A reserved child, she discovered this after a trip in a glass bottom boat, when the old lady sitting beside her touched  her arm when she saw the silver swish of a big fish below them.  The shy, Kate looked down and seeing a turtle, told the stranger.

Oh my…This world.’ the old lady said.

‘Oh my…This world’….. One for all of us to remember…

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Anna Carey, Marita Conlon-McKenna and Alan Nolan

Monica McInerney’s Book Launch

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Monica McInerney’s Book launch of ‘The Trip of a Lifetime,’ –Marita with Monica , Sinead Moriarty and Martina Devlin.

Great to get along to Dubray Books on Grafton Street for Monica McInerney’s Book launch of ‘The Trip of a Lifetime,’ the third book in the Australian Quinlan family series which began with ‘Alphabet Sisters’. This book has the indomitable Lola Quinlan returning to visit her homeland in Ireland with her granddaughter and great- grand daughter in tow.

Author Sinead Moriarty, a close friend of Monica’s launched the book, which is already top of the bestselling charts in Australia. Lots of writer friends came along to join in the celebrations with Monica who divides her time between living in Australia and Ireland- The best of both worlds!

 

Bloomsday Party in ‘The Park’

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On Saturday as Dublin sweltered, it was straw hats and sunshades for The Bloomsday Garden Party at Aras an Uachtaran, where everyone got a warm welcome from President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina.  There were bands playing as everyone mingled and chatted and strolled around the magnificent gardens, with plenty of entertainment as we lolled under shady parasols.

Then it was full afternoon tea served in the marquee on the lawn as we listened to Joycean inspired opera and readings including a brilliant section of Ulysses read by the president’s wife Sabina. There was more poetry, prose and music with the President joining in with a poem of his own. The Stunning set everyone’s feet hopping before heading back outside.

Afterwards we dallied listening to some mellow jazz in that most beautiful of gardens.

What a swell summer party!!

Hans Zimmer Concert and The Dalkey Book Festival

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Hans Zimmer concert

Sunny Dublin was at its very best this week and I was over the moon to get along to the Hans Zimmer concert in the 3 Arena.

Zimmer is an extraordinary composer who creates such mood and atmosphere and tells story with his music and film scores. He talked about his work, the directors he has worked with, and the inspiration for many of his projects. He and his incredible musicians, orchestra and choir gave us everything from Gladiator to The Lion King, and Batman to Interstellar. A packed audience of all ages gave a well- deserved standing ovation to one of the greatest composers of modern times.

IMG_9173On Bloomsday itself I was at ‘The Dalkey Book Festival’ where in the Big Marquee overlooking the water, North Korean writer Hyeonseo Lee talked with Michael Breen about the difficulties of growing up in North Korea.  She talked candidly about her family and the day to life they lived under a harsh regime where everyone is under suspicion and watched. A wonderful writer and speaker she explained to the large crowd about the title of her book, ‘The Girl with Seven Names’- which is how she has somehow managed to try to protect herself and her relations from the regime as she escaped to China and eventually to South Korea.