The Picasso Exhibition in The National Gallery

Posted on 03/12/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

I highly recommend a visit to The Pablo Picasso Exhibition currently on in The National Gallery, Dublin, which is a collection of work from his studio (which he would apparently not sell).

This wonderfully curated show is visually stunning with a wide selection of his art work over different periods. It is a celebration of the Picasso’s long life and continued need to paint and create and work until just before he died.

It is interesting on every level and entertaining and also backed up with a detailed and helpful telling of his life story. The additional filmed clips of Picasso being interviewed, making ceramic pottery doves to be fired in a local pottery and relaxing in his garden in the south of France bring a sense of intimacyand connection to the show.

The exhibition opened in October and will run until the 22^nd February 2026. Tickets are available from the National Gallery but must be booked in advance, with children going free.

Another one to watch out for is The Gate Theatre’s stage adaption of ‘Poor’ by Katriona O Sullivan. It is a rare theatre experience to see such a powerful and heart rending account of a childhood of poverty, neglect and abuse turned in to such a triumphant and deeply involving play. I loved the book but seeing Sonya Kelly’s adaption is a very special experience and makes you realise the power of good drama, acting and direction (Roisin McBrinn), in bringing this complex story to life. There were stunning performances from young Pippa Owens (child) and Aisling O’Mara (adult) and Hilda Fay (mother).

‘Poor’ sold out its run in October but following rave reviews will return to the Gate Theatre on 13^th March and run until 26^th April 2026 so …get booking.

Greystones Whale Theatre ‘Legends of Children’s Writing’

Posted on 25/10/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

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

Posted on 12/02/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

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 22^nd 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!

A VISIT TO BALLYMUN BOOK CLUB

Posted on 07/12/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with The Balymun Book Club

Everyone knows by now that libraries are one of my favourite places so it was a real treat to be invited along to the lovely library in Ballymun to meet and talk to their Book Club.

They are a great bunch of young readers and the junior Book Club is run by librarian Caitriona O’Doherty. They had all just finished reading my book The Blue Horse so we had plenty to talk about. I was thrilled to hear they had also enjoyed reading Fairy Hill last year. They meet every month and read everything from newly published children’s books to old favourites and the classics, perfect for these brilliant bright bookworms. Over Christmas and New Year they will be reading The Wind in the Willows.

Ballymun library is a very special place and right at the heart of the community, with Writers Groups, art groups, and book clubs including a Murder one, study space and all kinds of events to encourage people to use the library. My friend librarian Sarah Conroy showed me around and Peter O Reilly, the senior librarian, is justifiably proud of their mission to get everyone reading, and using the library.

Peter O’Reilly, Caitriona O Doherty, Marita and Sarah Conroy in Ballymun Library

Ballymena Bound to Visit Slemish College

Posted on 28/10/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with Librarian Paula Agnew and English Teachers from Slemish College

October is always a busy month for Children’s Writers and I found myself Ballymena bound to visit Slemish College Secondary School. Hearing all about its marvellous library which has become the heart of the school I really felt I had to come and visit it.

Librarian Paula Agnew has made the library a very special place for all the students, who told me how much they use it and go there even during lunch breaks. I’m not surprised as its array and display of books would put many a bookshop to shame.

I met all the lovely teachers from the English Department and talked to groups of students, many of them brilliant readers with some really keen to write and create their own books.

The fact we were in the large library made it extra special as libraries are one of my favourite places.

Traveling back to Dublin on the train I was a tired but happy writer and was absolutely thrilled with the beautiful gift of a hawthorn print that the school presented me with.