Marita Conlan McKenna is the author of an Irish historical fiction novel, The Hungry Road, set at the time of the The Great Irish Famine.
Inspired by true stories of real Irish heroes, it is a story of unfathomable courage and the resilience of the human spirit.
Today, I’m delighted to introduce this new book about this tragic time in Irish and American history.
Today’s post is extra special, since the author, Marita Conlan-McKenna participated in an exclusive online interview especially for readers of Irish American Mom. exploring her writing inspirations, habits and research.
Plus, I’m delighted to report I have a copy of this new book for a giveaway, thanks to the publishers, Penguin Books. But before I share the details of how to enter for a chance to win, let’s first learn more about this novel, and Marita’s writing.
About The Hungry Road:
Here’s a quick synopsis about the book, from the author’s website:
“In 1845 Ireland’s hopes for freedom are dashed with the arrival of a deadly potato blight.
Seamstress Mary Sullivan’s dreams of a better future are shattered as she looks out over their ruined crop. Refusing to give in to despair, she must use every ounce of courage and strength to protect her family as they fight to survive
Dr Dan Donovan is medical officer to the Skibbereen Union. The arrival of ‘The Hunger’ soon brings starving men, women and children crowding into the town and the workhouse desperate for assistance.
Parish Priest Rev John Fitzpatrick’s faith is tested by the suffering that surrounds him as the town’s pleas for help to the authorities fall on deaf ears.”
Interview With Marita Conlan McKenna:
Marita graciously answered some questions I emailed to her, the answers to which I hope will give you insight into her writing process, and the importance of storytelling and history in her life.
My questions may not be those of a professional book critic, but these are the topics I wonder about whenever I pick up a new book. I hope you enjoy Marita’s thoughtful responses.
What is your favorite childhood book?
My absolute favorite book is Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House in the Big Woods. I read every book in her ‘Little House’ series over and over again.
The book transported me to a log cabin in America and the pioneering world of Laura and her family- a world so different from Ireland. Laura Ingalls Wilder was an incredible writer with a unique and simple style of writing, whose books have stood the test of time.
Marita Conlon McKenna Favourites PIx Ronan Lang/Feature File
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
I find the most difficult part of the process of writing is pulling the whole book together and trying to make it seamless. I always find it really hard to say my book is done and hand it over to my editor.
I am always tempted to add more or another chapter! Every book I write I usually change the last few paragraphs and words of the final page ten, twenty, even thirty times!
I think it is that I don’t want to say goodbye to the book and the characters that I have come to know and care so deeply about.
What was your most difficult scene in the book to write?
The Hungry Road is set in Skibbereen during Ireland’s Great Hunger so there are many harrowing scenes in the book. However two scenes both related to Mary Sullivan, the seamstress who fights so hard to ensure that her husband and children will survive, really had a deep emotional impact on me.
One was the horror when Mary discovers her sister Kathleen dead and the other is when she and her family are on board the ship to New York and tragedy strikes. It is probably one of the saddest things I have ever had to write.
A deserted famine era cottage on the Irish coastline.
What does literary success look like to you?
For a writer first- off success is writing a book, going from beginning to middle and end and being happy with your work, then having it accepted by a publisher is a huge achievement.
However it really is when the book and readers come together that the true satisfaction comes , knowing you have written a book that has reached and touched others and brought them into the world you have created. Best -selling lists and book awards are the icing on the cake!
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Every book I write involves an element of research, for me it is part of the joy of writing whether it is finding out about the variety of old roses in a garden or the architecture of an old house in The Rose Garden, the work of a milliner creating hats in ‘The Hat shop on the Corner,’ or how to deliver a foal in ‘The Fields of Home’. However once history steps on to the page a huge amount of research is always needed.
‘The Hungry Road’ was a massive book , an epic story that involved three years of research and writing about Ireland’s Great Hunger.
The book is set in Skibbereen in West Cork which was probably the worst affected area in Ireland and was at the very epicentre of the Famine. My mother is from Skibbereen and I have cousins still living there and though I visit it regularly it wasn’t until I began researching I discovered the truly catastrophic situation that existed there. Once the potato crop failed the town was soon overwhelmed with the starving and sick, all desperate and begging for help.
Irish people attack a grain store during the Great Irish Famine.
Doctor Dan Donovan, the town’s doctor and the medical officer for the Skibbereen Workhouse was heroic in his efforts to save them. He was an incredible man, a compassionate and caring doctor with a meticulous mind prepared to fight for his patients. A first- hand witness he wrote his Diary of a Dispensary Doctor which recorded the events in the town. It was published in a Cork newspaper but then picked by other newspapers both in Ireland and Britain and overseas.
His words shocked people but resulted in not only others coming to see for themselves the situation in West Cork and Ireland but also in a wave of donations to help the starving. He was a true hero and is all but forgotten about. Reading his words I knew immediately I wanted to write about him.
The book was difficult to write, the tragedy greater than I could have imagined but I am so glad that I persevered. The folks at the local Heritage Centre in Skibbereen were great as I immersed myself in discovering more about those terrible times, and the huge courage, resilience and spirit of the people which is often forgotten about.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing energizes me. I get lost in the words and the story I am telling and time and place just seems to fly away. When I get to the half or three quarter way stage of a new book I am usually a bit crazy working all the hours I can, often until late in the night , unitl I fall into bed. However next morning I’m up and dying to get working again …. I just want to keep going ….
If you could tell your younger writing self-anything, what would it be?
Since I was very young all I wanted was to write and to be a writer I had absolutely no idea how it would ever happen! But somehow I just kept writing, all kinds of stuff and was lucky enough that some things got published.
I think I would tell myself to believe and to keep writing and doing what you love and you will get there.
I have been writing for years and no matter what else has happened in my life writing still gives me joy and a sense of myself. I began writing for myself, then for my children, and then I was so lucky to find a publisher. I write most days and cannot imagine a time when I am not writing!
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I still remember when I was about 12 or 13 a young poet Seamus Heaney came to visit our school and stood up to read from his work in the big Hall. He was wearing a tweed jacket and shirt, his hair was messy and he had big hands. As soon as he began to read and talk I was riveted.
Seamus Heaney read poems of his childhood and home place and as he spoke I could see and feel his words.
He was very different from the famous Irish writers and poets we were learning about in school. He was flesh and blood and on that day made me realize that writers were real people and it was their words and language that mattered.
Years later I had the good fortune to get to know Seamus and he confided how nervous he’d been standing up and reading his poems to a large group of girls. He’d only done the reading as a favor to a relation involved with my school.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
How long is a piece of string? My first book ’Under the Hawthorn Tree’ took only twelve weeks to write as I was so obsessed after hearing about the discovery of three child skeletons from famine times buried under a hawthorn tree that I wanted to get the story on to the page.
However most of my other books have taken a year or so to write. The big historical ones like ‘The Magdalen’ and ‘Rebel Sisters’ with research can take up to three years.
The quickest book that I have ever written is ‘Granny MacGinty ‘a children’s picture book about pets. It took only three days and was inspired by sitting in my back garden watching big snails devour all my delphiniums and flowers.
Famine Memorial at Abbeystrewry Graveyard in Skibbereen, the site of an unmarked mass grave from Famine times.
Do you have a website?
My website, contains links for all of my books, both children’s and adult fiction.
Note from Irish American Mom – I was very interested to read about the launch of this novel at the Skibbereen Heritage Centre in West Cork. Skibbereen is the setting for this story. Both Marita’s mother and my mother were born in Skibbereen, and as readers of this blog know, I often write about the highways and byways of this beautiful part of the world.
We visited the Famine Memorial at Abbeystrewry Graveyard just outside the town of Skibbereen in a previous blog post.
Where can readers find your books for purchasing?
My books are available in good bookshops, online and on Kindle etc.
The Hungry Road is available through Amazon.
If you are interested in Marita’s writing, here are some links for some of her other books, including links for her beloved Under The Hawthorn Tree trilogy for young readers.
The Giveaway:
One lucky reader will win a copy of The Hungry Road by Marita Conlan-McKenna.
To enter simply leave a comment on this blog post by noon Eastern Time on Saturday, November 28th, 2020.
Any comment will do. What you write does not affect your chance of winning, but if you need inspiration why not tell us if you enjoy reading books set in Ireland.
A winning comment will be chosen randomly. Remember to leave your e-mail so that I can contact you should you win. Your e-mail won’t be published, just used to contact our lucky contestant for mailing of the prize.
The winner will be announced on Saturday, November 28th, 2020, at the bottom of this blog post.
You may check out Irish American Mom’s complete terms and conditions for sweepstakes’ entries by clicking here.
Thank you to all who support this giveaway and share it with family and friends.
Many thanks to Penguin Books for sponsoring this giveaway.
UPDATE: WINNER CHOSEN ON NOVEMBER 28th, 2020
Our winner has been randomly chosen using the Pick Giveaway Winner Plug-in for WordPress.
And the lucky reader is ….
Deb Harris
I’ll send our winner an email to arrange mailing of her prize. A big thank you to everyone for supporting this giveaway by leaving comments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment.
Stay tuned for many more stories and giveaways over the coming weeks and months – stop by on Saturdays for new giveaway posts.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Irish American Mom
Disclosure: I do not have a financial arrangement with Penguin/Random House. This post reflects my honest and unbiased thoughts about this work. I received a copy of this book from the publisher as a prize for a reader of Irish American Mom to win.
Text copyright 2020 by Marita Conlan-McKenna.
Excerpts and photos reproduced with permission of the publisher.
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- The Celtic Languages
- Inspirational Irish Words And Sayings
- Slieve Binnian – A Peak In The Mourne Mountains
- Discover Dursey Island On Ireland’s Only Cable Car
A very sad time in Irish History but always interested in reading more
Hi Maureen – A sad and tragic time for sure, but one I believe is important to remember, and novels are a great way to keep the memory of Ireland’s past alive. Thanks for stopping by to support this little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Thank you for this opportunity. Hope everyone stays healthy and safe. Happy Holidays!
Hi Denise – I hope you too have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Thanks for supporting this little giveaway.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Brilliant author. Can’t wait to read.
Many Irish who came over to the states only spoke of the past in hushed whispers amongst themselves.They wanted to leave the tragedies behind. It was not until I asked that I began to learn of the famine and war horrors. It gave me a deeper understanding of my cultural identity. It answered some of the why for me. For example why my grandmother forbid us to go barefoot except at the beach!
Our history is who we are.
Deborah
Hi Deborah – The Irish after the Famine were often called “the silent people.” Our ancestors were so traumatized and wished to forget the horror of what they had endured that they rarely spoke of their experiences. Thanks for sharing how your grandmother would only allow you go barefoot on the beach. After the famine Irish people went to great lengths to never appear to be poor. Outward signs of being comfortable became extremely important. I really appreciate your input into our discussion today.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sounds like a very interesting book.
Hi Jess – Thanks for stopping by to support our little giveaway.
Take care,
Mairéad
I have always been interested and fascinated with Irish History and being third generation Irish heritage and my children who now are adults with their own broods are teaching their children the History of the Irish and of Ireland and I find it amazing the determination of survival the Irish with their rocky history and they always come out smiling and cheerful and embrace life .
Hi Randy – It’s lovely to hear your family are passing down a great interest and pride in their Irish heritage to the next generations. You perfectly sum up the attributes of the Irish which are so important to teach our young ones – you can’t beat determination mixed with a happy and cheerful outlook on life. Thanks for joining our discussion of all things Irish and Irish American.
All the best,
Mairéad
Would love to read this. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Mary
Hi Mary – I’m delighted Marita was able to introduce you to her book through this online interview.
Best wishes
Mairéad
I am just starting to find out Irelands history. My grandfather was raised at Magdera County Derry i was wondering is that Londonderry or just Derry ?? I use to read 200 books a year when i was young our school librarian kept count. Lol Time i start reading again.
Hi Teresa – You were quite a reader when you were young. The name used for County Derry usually reflects your family history and background. Unionists and those whose who are considered Scotch-Irish tend to use the term Londonderry. During the Plantation of Ulster by English and Scottish settlers, a walled city was built across the River Foyle and it was paid for by a consortium of livery companies of the City of London. In recognition of these London investors, a Royal charter in 1613 stated “that the said city or town of Derry, for ever hereafter be and shall be named and called the city of Londonderry.” The original name for the county is Derry and is derived from the word “doire” which is the Irish word for an oak wood or grove. The people in Northern Ireland with Celtic and Gaelic heritage tend to use the name Derry when referring to the county and city. They ignore the charter of 1613. I hope this helps.
All the best,
Mairéad
Ever since I asked my parents about our roots ( at age 10, I think) I have been fascinated by Irish ( and Scottish, Welsh, English, German and French [the Celtic ones get the most attention] ) ….well, everything! I’d love to add this book to my library.
Hi Heather – It’s lovely to learn that you too are fascinated by Celtic and Irish history too. Thanks for supporting this little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
I love reading books set in Ireland… Especially ones that give a lot of history. It gives me a connection to the land my family once called home, and the land where my in laws still call home.
Hi Mary – It’s lovely to learn you have such a great interest in all things Irish, especially our history. Many thanks for supporting this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
This sounds good (actually all of them do). I did my thesis is Irish history, so I’m always up for discovery a new-to-me author!
Hi Athena – Your knowledge of Irish history will make this book even more rewarding as a reader. I’m delighted to be able to introduce a new author to you. Marita is a well-respected writer in Ireland.
Many thanks for stopping by.
Take care,
Mairéad
Sounds like an amazing book. I never want the book to end. I feel like I am family with the characters and I don’t want to say good bye!
Hi Beth – That truly is the sign of a good book. Thanks for stopping by to check out this giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sounds like an amazing book!
Hello! This topic always fascinates me. I grew up eating rutabagas for Sunday dinner. Mom would put a bit of sugar in the water when boiling, I think I may have to get a few today to have with our leg of lamb.
Happy TG to you and yours.
Hi Mary Ann – Thanks for checking out this giveaway post and this new novel about the Great Irish Famine.
And thank you for opening and reading my email newsletter today with all my Thanksgiving side dish recipes. Rutabaga is a favorite with many Irish Americans at this time of year.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season.
All the best,
Mairéad
Hi Alex – This definitely is a great read for anyone interested in history, and especially Irish history.
Take care, and thanks for stopping by.
Mairéad
I would love to read this book. I have ancestors who came to the US during the famine.
Hi Pat – This book is a wonderful read for anyone whose family fled Ireland during these tragic times. Marita’s historical research shines through in her writing.
All the best,
Mairéad
I enjoyed the interview. It sounds like a great book.
Hi Mary – Thanks as always for stopping by and checking out this new book and author interview. This book is a great read if you’re interested in Irish history.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Finally have the RX in my glasses correct so I can once again enjoy reading. This book looks very interesting. Thank you for the recommendation.
Hi Karen – I finally gave in and got some reading glasses – it was high time at 55 years of age. My arms were just too short and I couldn’t hold menus and books far enough away to read. I’m delighted you were able to get your glasses sorted – it’s a huge set back not being able to read comfortably.
Thanks for supporting our little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
I dearly love reading about Ireland! It can be purely historical, fictional, or historical fiction; it doesn’t matter. My Caseys came over to America in 1847, and were it not for the Hunger, I might be there still (and with a much better accent)!
Hi Brian – Too funny about your accent. I’ve never lost my Irish accent, even after living in America for over twenty years. They say you have to be musical to pick up a new accent, so that explains my thick Irish drawl.
It’s great to be able to trace your Caseys back to the year they arrived in America. That is family knowledge that needs to be recorded and treasured.
All the best,
Mairéad
Thank you for “introducing” this author to me. I would love to read this book as well as her other writings.
Thank you as well for the recipes 🙂 I enjoy your blog very much.
Hi Maureen – Marita’s writing and books are very popular in Ireland. Her children’s trilogy about the Irish Famine is on the school curriculum for primary school. My daughter read these books when she was 10, and even though they deal with a difficult topic, she still talks about these stories as a teenager. Thanks for checking out my recipes and ramblings this week.
All the best,
Mairéad
My mother’s family the Luttrell’s all come from the area of Ireland around Luttrellville. She did a full family history on it back to Sir George Luttrell. Would love to visit sometime just to see part of our family history.
Hi Ray – When you make it to Ireland you’ll have to stay in Luttrellstown Castle. It’s just outside Dublin. The castle is spectacular and dates back to the 15th century.
https://www.luttrellstowncastle.com/
Thanks for stopping by to check out this new book.
All the best,
Mairéad
I can’t wait to read this, I am looking for a new book!
Hi Melissa – I’m delighted this book post is so timely for you, and that I was able to introduce a potential new book to your “to read” list. Thanks for taking the time to check out this post and to support our little giveaway.
All the best,
Mairéad
I love reading about the Irish and about Ireland. My father was a Black Irishman.
Hi Susan – Thanks for sharing your family’s Irish connections. It’s lovely to hear you celebrate your Irish heritage through reading.
All the best,
Mairéad
I would love to read this book. My great grandparents came to the US 30 years after the Famine, so their families had to endure these terrible times.
Hi Christopher – Our families endured so much in centuries past. They were determined people to find a new life and find hope in America. My great grandfather was born in 1840 and survived the Famine. He was over 100 years old when he died in the 1940’s. Of course, I never met him, but it always amazes me that only four generations separate my children from the Famine times.
Thanks for stopping by to check out this new book.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
I visited Dublin Ireland 2 years ago & loved it. It was a longtime dream come true. In the past year I became active in a local club, The Ceilidhe Club of RI, that has been active since the 1950s. They have lectures, historical articles, raffles, dance lessons, a pub & so much more to keep alive the Irish culture and awareness & support for the current issues. It is a wonderful organization (hurting a LOT due to covid closures). This book would be a great addition to my understanding of Irish history.
Hi Judie – I’m delighted to hear you found a local Irish heritage group to help you feel connected to your Irish roots and to learn more about our culture and history. Hopefully these groups will be back in action in the near future when these difficult times have passed. This book is a great read for anyone interested in Irish history.
All the best,
Mairéad
Thank you for the new author introduction! I have been researching our Irish Family history extensively this year. Our great great grandfather was born in Garvagh, Errigal, Londonderry, in the Northern Part of Ireland in 1847 – during the height of the Potato Famine. I have researched quite a bit and look forward to reading another account of this devastating time. Thank you for sharing your interview!
Hi Julie – It’s great to hear you have had success on your family history and genealogy search. I’m delighted you’ve been able to pinpoint the location where your ancestor came from in Ireland, plus knowing the year of his birth is extra helpful. Thanks for sharing your family story, and it’s good that this interview could introduce you to another historical novel set in Ireland.
Thanks for stopping by and for reading my recipes and ramblings.
All the best,
Mairéad
I am so excited to hear about this book! I spent a week in Skibbereen in 2017. We went to Abbeystrewry and never have I felt such a deep sadness. I studied the history at the Irish Heritage Center . I am of Irish decent (KENNEDY). and love everything Irish. Such a treat to hear of this book and it’s lovely author. Thank you.
Hi Sandra – The cemetery at Abbeystrewry is very moving indeed. There is a quiet and peaceful atmosphere, especially because of its location beside the river. However the large unmarked grave is tragic. It truly is a place for contemplation. I’m so glad you got a chance to visit the heritage centre in Skibbereen. There’s quite a bit of information there and the audio visual displays are very informative.
All the best,
Mairéad
My paternal grandparents (Burke, Clancy, Marnane) were from Ireland and I love reading anything Irish!
Hi Sandra – Your genealogy definitely explains your keen interest in all things Irish. Thanks for sharing your Irish lineage with us today.
Happy reading, and all the best,
Mairéad
This is a sad period of Irish history. One of many I am afraid. This will be a book worth checking.
Hi Maurice – Ireland’s history truly is sad and complicated. This book shines a light on the most tragic period of all. Thanks for stopping by to check out this post.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Lovely post and I enjoyed the author interview, thank you for a chance to win this book I have a special person in mind to share this book with.
Hi Deb – I’m so glad you enjoyed this interview. I believe hearing an author explain their inspirations and motivations in their own words can be a great introduction to their writing and books.
All the best,
Mairéad
When I visited the farmland with its gray rock outside Cork (Dripsey area) I could only imagine the life I would have had there with my ancestors. I could “feel” their struggle when we visited the Gaol in Cork. I look forward to reading this account and know that experience is part of me. I can’t wait to return after the pandemic clears the air!
Hi Patricia – It’s amazing how you can actually feel history in Ireland. It’s as if the struggles of our ancestors reverberate in our very DNA. For those that do not have Irish roots this is difficult to understand, but despite being separated from Ireland for generations, many Irish Americans experience this feeling of connection once they return to the land of their forebears. Thanks for stopping by to share your family story.
All the best,
Mairéad
As a teacher, I always taught my students about the Irish famine. I would live to read a book about it. Thank you!
Hi Laura – It’s lovely to hear you shared the history of the Irish famine with your students. I believe this is an important lesson for American students, since the mass migration of over one million Irish people to the United States impacted American history too. Thanks for checking out this new book and author interview.
All the best,
Mairéad
I married into an Irish family and am intrigued by the history of my adopted land. I enjoy learning of the history of Ireland and hope someday to visit and get immersed in the reality I’ve only read about so far. I am gifting this book for Christmas! Thank you!