Tag Archives: Ireland

                 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!

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.

SKIBBEREEN ARTS FESTIVAL

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Marita with writer Caragh Bell and Musician Aoibhe Daly. What a joy to be back in West Cork for the Skibbereen Arts Festival. The town is hopping with so many brilliant events that there is something for everyone: Art Exhibitions, film, theatre, and music.On top of that is all the excitement of having Skibbereen’s incredible rowers, from the local rowing club on the River Ilen, competing in the Paris Olympics. The atmosphere is electric…

I had a wonderful time meeting lots of younger readers in the Uilinn Arts Centre. It was great to have so many fans come along to talk about books and stories.  Later that evening there was a lovely event in the O Donovan Rossa GAA Hall with writer Caragh Bell and me chatting about my books and how Skibbereen’s own Dr Dan Donovan inspired my book The Hungry Road. Talented musician Aoibhe Daly provided the music singing Grace and then Skibbereen which sent shivers down my back as it was so moving.

The Skibbereen Arts Festival continues until Monday 5th August 2024.

At The Uilinnn Arts Centre in Skibbereen

Summer Festivals

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Baltimore Harbour in West Cork

I am just back from holidays in my favourite place Baltimore, in West Cork and this year all our family came down. It is such a great place to chill and relax and wind down with lots of lovely places to walk, eat and take in the spectacular wild Atlantic scenery. 

I also got to read lots of lovely books including Colm Tobin’s marvellous Long Island, Katriona O’Sullivan’s Poor, and American author Elin Hildebrand’s latest summer read which is said to be her last book Swansong which is set amongst the inhabitants of the island Nantucket and its affluent summer visitors.

However, I cannot believe my luck as I will be back in West Cork again for the Skibbereen Arts Festival at the end of July. There are a huge variety of art, music and film events, with something for all ages and Skibbereen will also celebrate the town’s connections with the Olympics.

I am talking in the Uilinn Arts Centre on Monday 29th July at 12.00 for children and later at 6.00 pm in O Donovan Rossa GAA Hall with the wonderful Caragh Bell about my passion for history and how Skibbereen’s  Doctor Dan Donovan inspired my book The Hungry Road.

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.