Wednesday 26 July 2017

A Yarn Of A Different Kind.




While down in West Cork for the literary festival, I came across a wool shop called, Bantry Yarns & Tea Room. Now anyone who knows me, knows I love to crochet, knit, and cross-stitch etc. It is a favourite hobby of mine.
I was thrilled to find this shop as craft shops in my opinion, are a dying breed. The shop was stocked to the rafters with wool, needles, patterns and all things crafty.
The owner, another Mary welcomed us, I was in the company of writer, Mary Angland. I had to purchase, I couldn't possibly not, I was in Heaven. Even though the heavens had opened up outside and the rain was torrential.
Like its name suggests, one can also have a cup of tea and slice of cake while sitting to knit/crochet and of course chatting.


While chatting, we got speaking to a lady named, Carina. She asked if I could highlight a condition she has, called Dystonia. This is a movement disorder in which a person's muscles contract uncontrollably. She explained how it has impacted on her life and to listen to her story was an honour. Her throat muscles are affected which in turn impacts on her speech. Also her eyes involuntary close and she has to wait until the spasm passes before they open again. This can happen at any time, even walking down the street. What she has discovered is when her hands are occupied as in knitting, her eyes do not close. Carina explained there is not much shared about this crippling disease and would like to see it highlighted more.
After purchasing some wool and finishing our chat with both Mary, the shop owner and Carina, we went on our way.

You can find out more about Bantry Yarns & Tea Room on Face Book.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BantryYarns/community/?ref=page_internal

Also to read more about Dystonia, the link to their page on Face Book is,
https://www.facebook.com/jumpfordystonia/?fref=mentions





Tuesday 18 July 2017

Reading at West Cork Literary Festival



Next Friday, July 21st, along with others, I will be reading at the West Cork Literary Festival. Held in Bantry each year, the festival is a packed week of readings and workshops. Friday's event, starting at 5pm, promises to be a busy and entertaining occasion, held in the local library. This is a wonderful opportunity and I'm so looking forward to it. It is through the Writer-in-Residence programme, (offered by Cork County Council Library & Arts Services) that this opening to perform at one of Ireland's top literary festivals has come about. Representing Charleville with me on the day is talented writer, Kerri FitzGerald. Kerri will be reading one of her many entertaining poems and I shall be reading one of my short stories.

Denyse Woods - Photo by  Mirte Slob 
Denyse Woods, author of five novels with her sixth, Into Tempation, due out in March 2018, is the Cork County Libraries Writer-in-Residence for 2017. Denyse also writes under the name Denyse Devlin. To find out more about this talented lady please click on the link below.
Readers from four other libraries, Bantry, Clonakilty, Macroom and Cobh, which are also involved with Denyse's Writer-in-Residence project, shall be contributing also on the day.



http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literaryfestival/programme/detail/denyse-woods-cork-county-council-writer-in-residence

Sunday 9 July 2017

Smashwords 50% off Sale


Delighted to share that most Tirgearr Publishing books are part of the Smashwords July Sale. Head on over to the site and enjoy 50% off all the books, including mine, 😊

https://www.smashwords.com/ Use the code SSW50

My Husband's Sin is an ideal read for the holidays, a family drama to keep you entertained during the summer.
If it's not hot enough for you weatherwise, then check out One Night in Barcelona. Set in this lovely city, find out what Natasha and Carlos get up to in one night, Hot! Hot! Hot!

Monday 3 July 2017

Ireland's Own Again.





I am once more delighted to say that the great magazine, Ireland's Own has published another memory piece of mine. This time, the piece centres around my mother-in-law and her connection to the well known Easter Rising of 1916.  It is always a pleasure to be featured in the magazine, and I never stop being pleased to see my name in print in it. Now to get my thinking cap on and to get writing more memory pieces for you all to enjoy.