Book Signing in Easons Roscommon Town
Friday 24th October
4-6pm.
All Welcome.
Eason
The Square
Roscommon
Co. Roscommon
Ireland
(09066) 25049
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
The Saturday Connection with Charlie McGettigan
www.northernsound.ie
Charlie McGettigan at the controls at Shannonside FM in Longford
Traditional music performed by Fiona Sirr originally from Carlow former All Ireland Champion.
Dave, Charlie and Mario in the hot seat.
The legend that is Charlie McGettigan at Shannonside FM. An absolute gentleman,
He was superb with the kids and gave us great coverage.
Big thanks Charlie
Friday, October 17, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Siarsceal Festival Press launch in Roscommon Library
Mario Corrigan, Nikita Hussey, Shauna Flynn ,Shauna Keegan from Castleplunkett National School the first kids to get there hands on The Battle for Coman's Wood
All the ladies and Richie Farrell Roscommon library.
Oscar Duggan publisher and Gwen Bond Organiser.
Dave, Mario Corrigan (with a C) and John Kerrigan (with a K)
John Kerrighan is a local Historian who helped out with the book.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
The Battle for Coman's Wood
Local
Kid's bring Roscommon book to life for 2014 SiarScéal Festival
The Battle
for Coman's Wood ― 25 October 2014, Roscommon County Library
A new children's book, The Battle
for Coman's Wood, sculpted from the imaginations of the children of the
Abbey School Roscommon and Castleplunkett N.S. will be launched as part of
the 2014 SiarScéal Festival on Saturday 25 October.
"Who needs to create a Hogwarths when you have amazing sites like
Roscommon Abbey, Rathcroghan and Oweynagat to develop a story?" says writer
Mario Corrigan. "We have so much to work from in this country and we are
natural storytellers. What we sometimes fail to recognize is the latent talent
within the limitless imaginations of our children and we have a responsibility
to develop that."
Writer Mario Corrigan and artist David Butler first collaborated in 2011
on a children's book for two Kildare
National Schools
In 2013 they brought the idea to Listowel and to Roscommon visiting five
schools and almost 250 children. It resulted in two books set locally. Listowel: The Writer's Revenge,
published in May 2014, and The Battle for
Coman's Wood to be launched at the 2014 Siarscéal Festival in time for Halloween.
A rip-roaring tale of
mythical proportions!!
An
American family have come to Ireland for The Gathering, back to their ancestral
home in Roscommon Town, but they have no idea of the adventure that is about to
unfold.
Their
arrival in time for Halloween, for the ancient Festival of Samhain, becomes a
quest to thwart the evil plans of Queen Medbh and The Morrigan, to bring forth
a terrible army from the OtherWorld! Ireland
and indeed the whole world is in danger and only the true-blooded heirs of
Turlough O'Connor, High King of Ireland
Terrible,
evil creatures issue forth from beneath the earth, driven hard by the warrior
queen who plans to conquer everyone and everything that stands in her way. Men
rally round the ancient banners and defend what they hold dear. Plans are laid
and a terrible battle must be fought, but help is on hand from unknown
quarters....from long dead Kings and loyal Followers. Time is running out. Our
brave heroes must face the might of these supernatural forces, for it is the blood
in their veins that gives hope for salvation. All hell breaks loose, literally,
in an epic showdown in the ancient wood, Coman's Wood, near Owneynagat; gate to
the OtherWorld ... the gate to terror and destruction.
Gwen McNamara Bond, founder of
the SiarScéal Festival is elated. "I recognised the
potential from the outset, but am delighted that we are finally able to bring
this project to life. It focuses not on one or two talented minds, but whole
classrooms. Who knows, maybe we will help develop a future generation of
writers and illustrators as we give this project to the younger generation of
the county as a whole. In partnership with Richie Farrell of Roscommon Library
we feel our remit is not only to showcase existing talent, but help prepare the
canvas that is yet to be drawn. We sincerely hope that young and old readers alike
will enjoy the story and take pride in their surroundings as they board the
rollercoaster ride that is The Battle For
Coman's Wood. Likewise we hope the people of Roscommon take this year's
Festival to their hearts and enjoy the programme of events and support it as
they have on previous occasions. Without them and our sponsors it would be
impossible to continue."
For full details of the 2014 SiarScéal Festival visit
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Writers Week Blog Post
Listowel: The Writer’s Revenge
Listowel: The Writer’s Revenge (front and back covers)
On the Sunday of Listowel Writers’ Week 2014, and as part of The National Children’s Literary Festival, author Mario Corrigan launched his new children’s book Listowel: The Writer’s Revenge, illustrated by David Butler. To produce the book, Mario worked with children from three local schools: Knockanure N.S., Scoil Réalta na Maidine and Dromclough N.S., collecting vocabulary, information and ideas.
Mario Corrigan (left) and David Butler (right) at the Listowel launch
A Kildare based local historian, Mario is also the Executive Librarian in charge of Kildare Collections and Research Services for Kildare Library & Arts Services. Married to Colette, they have three children, Eve, Jack and Rachel, who he says make it all worthwhile. Mario has written and edited many books on the history and heritage of Kildare town and county.
In 2011 he wrote a book with children from Kildare Town National School based on four class visits in one day. He had a title – Do Fish Wear Pyjamas? and a character’s name, BebobZippityBob; chosen because they were silly, funny and allowed the children the freedom to go anywhere they wished with the story. That was it. It seemed easy – turn up with a title and the name of one character and ask a few questions, give a few directions and write a book. It was a lot tougher than it looked however, but it was an enormous success.
The idea behind the project was that it might be reproduced elsewhere by other people. There is an educational element, but it is fundamentally about making children believe in themselves and their abilities – that they could write a book or be involved in writing a book. He contacted a couple of festivals and Listowel Writers’ Week picked it up.
Mario visited three local schools: Knockanure N.S., Scoil Réalta na Maidine and Dromclough N.S. “It was a whirlwind tour,” he says, “but the kids, teachers and principals were amazing. Listowel Writers’ Week was fantastic in its support, particularly from Nuala Stewart, Maire Logue and my ‘chauffeur,’ Mairéad Costello.”
Mario also brought the idea to Roscommon, visiting two schools and almost 120 children. This has also been developed into a book, The Battle for Coman’s Wood, which will be launched at the SiarScéal Festival this Halloween.
Mario was a joint winner of the 2013 Nilsson Local Heritage Writing Competition at Listowel Writers’ Week for his book Hearth and Home.
To obtain a copy of Listowel: The Writer’s Revenge, please contact Nuala on 068 21074. You can also purchase copies at Easons of Listowel and Woulfe’s Bookshop, Church St, Listowel.
Original blog post on writers week website
The day finished with a guided tour of the town's landmarks and readings from The Writers' Revenge, a book by Mario Corrigan based on his workshops in schools in North Kerry during Listowel Writers' Week 2013.
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