Tag Archives: book-review

Greystones Whale Theatre ‘Legends of Children’s Writing’  

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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

                 Ireland Reads

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Stuart Hamiliton of Ireland Reads LGMA.

Irelands Read’s is a brilliant initiative by the Government and Healthy Ireland supported by our public libraries to encourage us all to read during the month of February.

The Irish Library Borrowing figures for 2024 have just come out and I am so delighted to be top of the list of Irish authors on it. 

The ever popular comic series of ‘Dog Man’, and ‘Bunny and Monkey’ take the top slots but it is great to see that ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ is still the most borrowed book by an Irish author. It is no surprise to see that Children’s books dominate the list as we have the best young readers and bookworms in the world. The top 37 titles are children’s and young peoples.   The list is compiled by 330 Irish libraries and 23 mobile libraries, which have more than 13 million books to borrow. They also have eBooks and audio books to borrow with ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ topping the overall eBook list

There will be a big call out on Saturday 22nd of February for everyone, whatever your age or interests to Get Lost in a Good Book. It doesn’t matter where you read, or what you read as long as you read.

Reading is good or us and relaxes us and reduces stress by believe it or not 698%.

So let’s get reading!

Discover Irish Kids Books for Christmas

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Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without giving lots of lovely new Irish books to the children in my life. This year there are so many brilliant new books by Irish children’s writers to choose from that I know will keep everyone happy.   Many of this year’s favourites are published by Irish publishers which is a real bonus

‘Over the Red Brick Chimney’ by Una Leavy with illustrations by Shannon Bergin  is a really beautiful picture  book  about  a little goose that gets lost and injured from the flock as they migrate to winter in Ireland . Finn and his mother find her and help to look after her and get her ready to fly again.

‘Twas the Match before Christmas’ by Julianne McKeigue with illustrations by Brian Fitzgerald is one that I know all the GAA Supporters and young footballers in my family will love.  A Funny and colourful story as Santa and his crew of reindeers and elves decide to play a big Christmas Eve match in Croke Park stadium.  

The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly is a wonderful picture book by one of Ireland’s foremost children’s writer and illustrators.  This time we return to the Dead Zoo with Mr Gray and a brand new discovery.  All Peter’s books have been a huge hit in our family with The Presidents Dog a great favourite. 

‘Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity’ by Leona Forde with illustrations by Karen Harte

Milly from Cork is back with big plans for the class Christmas  school show, but as often happens with Milly things can go wrong!! This is perfect for Wimpy Kid fans but with a great Irish heroine.

The Lost Dogs: by Patricia Forde.

This will enthral and entertain all young dog lovers with a great story of being lost, and the quest of three dogs to try to find a new home and owner. 

‘I see the Moon and the Moon sees me’ is the latest in the beautifully colourful illustrated collection of rhymes and songs by Sarah Webb and illustrator Paul Delaney.  Perfect for all ages and a joy to share with the ones you love.
Along with all my book recommendations I want to give a big a shout out to ‘The Borrowers’ in Dublin’s Gate Theatre   which is brilliant and totally entertaining. We loved it and it was adapted for the stage by my friend Charles Way who has also adapted ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’. A great cast, new songs and clever staging of this children’s classic make it well worth a trip to the theatre.

Celebrating 50 Years of O’Brien Press

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Marita with Kunak McGann

There were great celebrations to mark the 50 years of my Publishers O’Brien Press. The party was held in The Printworks at Dublin Castle as part of the busy Dublin Book Festival. It is hard to believe that it all began with Thomas O’ Brien’s little book library which he ran from his home and also went around Dublin delivering books in a cart. Over time the business has grown and grown with many of the O’Brien family involved. Michael O’Brien published my first book ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ in 1990 and they are still my publisher. We have worked together on so many lovely books over the years.

Since Michael’s death his son Ivan and director Kunak McGann continue on the good work, publishing a huge range of adult and Children’s fiction, and non- fiction books, and O’Brien press is a very important part of the Irish publishing industry.

The room was packed with authors and illustrators and book people delighted to be part of such a lovely evening. A special edition of Michael O’ Brien’s memoir of being ‘The  Accidental Publisher’ was gifted to everyone present.

Earlier that day Sarah Webb had organised a get together for Irish children’s writers in the castle too. 

Marita with Ivan and Susan Houlden , Ide ni Laoghaire, Jane O Hanlon and Siobhan Parkinson, and having lunch with friends Sarah Webb and Judi Curtin.

Dalkey Book Festival

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Marita with Shane Hegarty and Sarah Webb in Dalkey Library

All the crowds came out for this years Dalkey Book Festival  which had a brilliant line up of speakers and ran over four days. Politics and world affairs were to the fore front along
with the best of Irish and International writing including Paul Lynch, Colm
Toibin, Anne Enright, Paul Murray, John Boyne and Claire Keegan.  

I was talking in Dalkey Library on Thursday evening with authors Sarah Webb and Shane
Hegarty about our favourite thing… books … Irish books we remember and loved
from growing up and   the best of the brilliant crop of new Irish books that we have read and recommend. There was a lovely crowd of young and some older readers and it was part of the Discover Irish Children’s Books campaign to get readers choosing a book by an Irish author.  

I was back again on Saturday to attend a thought provoking panel discussion of experts about the upcoming US election and the possible outcome of another Trump presidency or a defeat.  But the highlight for me was getting to hear my favourite writer Claire Keegan discuss her work in an honest ones and direct interview with Rick O’Shea.Her precision with words and way of forming story were illustrated by a perfect reading form her new book So Late in the Day

Thanks to everyone involved in running the Dalkey Book Festival. I do love festivals and will be down in Skibbereen at the end July for their Arts Festival and will also be taking part in the Fingal Festival in late September.

Author Claire Keegan with Rick O Shea.