poetry | Marita Conlon-McKenna

Marita with artist and writer Don Conroy

Crowds of friends and family gathered in Hodges Figgis bookshop on Dublin’s Dawson Street, for the launch of my good friend artist and naturalist Don Conroy’s stunning new book ‘Drawn to Nature’.

It is truly beautiful with Don’s incredible wildlife illustrations of all kinds of birds and animals that can be encountered during walks and strolls in Irish landscapes with Don urging us all to take time to observe nature and enjoy and marvel at it and allow our senses to awaken and look with fresh and creative eyes at the natural world around us.

Don who has dedicated so much of his life to protecting and promoting wildlife and nature, has created a unique joy filled art work with his illustrations and beautiful paintings that will resonate with so many readers and nature lovers of all ages.

Don and I have been friends for such a long time and it was lovely to meet up with all the talented Conroy family again.

‘Drawn to Nature’ by Don Conroy is published by Gill Books

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 5^th August 2024.