Tag Archives: writing

Writer Gordon Snell Remembered

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Marita with Writer Gordon Snell.

I am so sad to hear of writer Gordon Snell’s death. We have been friends and fellow children’s writers for many, many years. I always loved to meet up with him for he was the best of company and a great raconteur. Gordon was a really interesting, kind man.

We did lots of children’s events and book things over the years. Both of us along with his wife Maeve Binchy were supporters of the incredible M.S.Readathon. 

One of the most embarrassing and funny things that has happened to me was with Gordon. The  M.S. Readathon send out  a message asking all the Irish Children’s Writers to meet up at the top of Dublin’s Stephens Green for the launch of their annual campaign to encourage kids to read and raise funds for M.S. 

I turned up as did Gordon, but no other writers appeared.  There was great jazz band and a heap of press photographers, we waited and waited but not a single other soul appeared.  The plan was to do a Writer’s Parade with the band and balloons all the way down Grafton Street, to Trinity College.  Gordon and I soon realised that we had no other option but to walk as the band began to play.  After the first few minutes of excruciating embarrassment, we decided to make the best of it as crowds of shoppers and tourists gathered along the street wondering who we were.  The music was jazzy, which we both loved and we linked arms and  did a kind of jazzy dance come march the whole way down and back up Grafton Street.  The crowds were baffled but we laughed and smiled and waved at them along the way.  It was crazy but we had such laughs about it over the years. 

Gordon wrote lots of children’s books and also some of the scripts for Wanderly Wagon, the iconic RTE children’s programme which generations have enjoyed.  He worked as a journalist and even wrote a cookbook.

He and his wife Maeve Binchy had a wonderful life travelling the world and living in their beautiful home in Dalkey village, two writers both working side by side at their desks. Following Maeve’s death Gordon was involved helping to set up the ‘Echoes Festival’ in Dalkey which celebrates Maeve’s writing.

A true gentleman, Gordon lived a long life, dying at 94 but will be always remembered with great fondness and affection by those of us who had had the very good fortune to know him.

‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’Exhibition opens in the Ulster American Folk Park

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Marita with Victoria Millar, Ivan O’Brien and Kathryn Thomson at the opening.

I am so excited as after all the hard work and planning the big ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ Exhibition in The Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh in Northern Ireland has just opened.  

 I was a little nervous as to how it would look but once I stepped inside the Exhibition I was blown away by the huge illustrations showing Eily, Michael and Peggy and scenes from the book which has been brought to life artist Cat Finney by the amazing design and craft work team from Ulster Museums.There are also historical and relevant pieces from the time of the Great Irish Famine on display from the National Museum’s N.I collection.

You can listen to the story as you go around and also try out the interactive displays and even dress up in costumes of the period.  The highlight is the giant hawthorn crafted from willow by Bob Johnson at the heart of the exhibition which is magical.

It was a wonderful opening with many of the team present including the incredible Victoria Millar, Senior Curator from National Museums, Northern Ireland, who brought the whole exhibition together from the initial concept and the brilliant designer Stefan McKee and his team.  Northern Ireland Museum head Kathryn Thomson opened the exhibition.  St Eithne’s School were invited along for the opening and I just loved watching their reaction to it. 

Most of my family and grandchildren came along from Dublin as did my publisher Ivan O’Brien from O’Brien Press. We all had a great time with everyone exploring the park which brings history to life afterwards

I first visited the Ulster American Folk Park around 1990 when I was researching my book ‘Wildflower Girl’ as I heard they had built a replica ship there.  I remember being so excited going around the park and then spending most of my the time sitting on a tiny bunk in the ship’s steerage section imagining that I was Peggy and was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean to America. Little did I think, that all these years later that the park would be hosting an exhibition based on one of my books.

‘The Under the Hawthorn Tree Exhibition’ will run for the next two to three years.  The park is open every day except Mondays and is a brilliant place to come and explore with its cottages and cabins, school house and Victorian street with shops, and the ship as it brings so much of our history to life.

Marita with pupils from St Eithne’s School and with Exhibition Designer Stefan McKee.

Sitting under the beautiful Hawthorn Tree

‘Happy World Book Day to Everyone.’

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This is such a special fun day for readers young and old everywhere as we celebrate books and reading and stories. In schools and libraries across Ireland everyone is dressing up as their favourite book character, or designing a new book cover or poster, taking part in a book quiz or book treasure hunt.  I always love seeing the different versions of my covers and am so impressed by readers who seem to know my books better that I do.  There are authors and illustrators visiting schools across the country and a Mega author online event being held in the National Library of Ireland today.

Words and books are incredibly important and are a big part of who we are, and who we become.  Life is busy for all of us but making time to read is one of the best things we can do to make us happy and relax and use our imaginations. Special thanks to all the teachers and schools that are taking part. Some of my grandchildren have dressed up for school and Montessori as Where’s Wally, Mr Strong, Luke Skywalker, Angelina Ballerina, and Mr Biff the Boxer.

Children’s Book’s Ireland and An Post are doing something amazing and distibuting 40,000 free books to kids in Hospitals, Direct Provision Centres, Family Centres and In Care on this World Book Day so that everyone gets to own and read a book.

Most of you will receive a special World Book Day token either in school or if you visit your local book shop which can be used to get one of the specially published World Book Day Books, there are some really brilliant Irish books on the list, or tokens can even be used to go towards another book you want to buy.  So use your token and remember the important thing is to keep reading…….

An Post Delivering Books

The Picasso Exhibition in The National Gallery  

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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 22nd 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 13th March  and run until 26th April 2026 so …get booking.

Wild, Windy and Wet in Cork!

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Summercove N.S. Kinsale with School Principal Louise Hallissey

Despite Storm Amy and arriving rather windblown and wet I had a brilliant few days in Cork meeting some amazing young readers and writers.

First there was Bishop Aherne National School in Leamlara School near Glanmire. A school literally in the woods with welcoming teachers and great kids which is a magical place. The original school was built in 1847 during The Great Irish Famine. It was lovely also to meet recently retired principal Mrs Marie Murphy too, who told me about reading ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ to her class sitting in the wood surround by trees.    

Then on to Summercove  N.S in Kinsale, where the waves were wild and stormy and coming up over the pier.  Another amazing school who are also busy reading my books , it was an emotional visit when one of the teachers  Muireann Ni Raghallaigh got out her violin and played  ‘Isle of Hope and Isle of Tears ‘and all the children sang together , one of those rare special moments in your life. 

Cosied up at lunch in The Bulman afterwards as the storm blew.   The next day talked to a great crowd in Kinsale’s new Library which is well worth a visit.  A wonderful array of readers of all ages turned up for my conversation with Kate Murphy.  What a great audience!

I went to some brilliant events with Diarmuid Ferriter and Peadar Thompson and also one with author Niall Williams.   I got a wonderful warm welcome from Maureen Tierney as stayed in her lovely Friars Lodge, right in the heart of Kinsale.  Had some great food, shout out Man Friday and some great music, talented Cork singer and guitarist Bo Collins who blew us all away with her voice in The Blue Haven.  Thanks to Kate, Maureen and Susan everyone at the ‘Words by Water Festival,’ for looking after me so well during my visit.

Summercove School with Muireann ni Raghallaigh, Bishop Ahern School with principal Billy O Connor teacher Laura Butler, and former principal Marie Murphy and Class. Kate Murphy in Kinsale Library.