Dylan Thomas and life after the Leaving Cert

The words, ‘Do not go gentle into that good night,’ used to send shivers down my spine and throw me right back to that nightmare – the leaving certificate. But I’ll never forget that it was Dylan Thomas who wrote the poem or that it was about the death of his father. As 58,000 Irish students received their leaving cert results today I think it's worth noting that exams are not ...
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Finding Narnia in Belfast

Every city has its literary giants and Belfast is no exception. Authentic Ulster promotes a tailormade CS Lewis tour which takes a fascinating three hours.  While my 11 year old daughter, her friend and I enjoy the wisdom of our entertaining guide Sandy Smith, we discover that the mountains at Cavehill provided the inspiration for one of the most famous giants in literature. ...
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Novel reading to take you to Barcelona, Rome and New York

There's nothing like a good book to take you away somewhere and holidays are often the only time many people get to read these days. With so many books to chose from often many good reads join the long list of 'to be read' while we are distracted to read the newest books on the shelves. That's why I've picked three books that have been around for a while. They have been made in...
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Finding my Epic in Wales and some summer reading!

Summer is here, and as The Novel Traveller I decided to put together six summer reads in last Saturday's Irish Mail You magazine. Here is the list which includes some of Ireland's loveliest authors and their books, Kate McCabe The Love of her Life, Sam Blake Little Bones, Niamh Greene A Message to Your Heart, Maria Duffy A Love Like This, Hazel Gaynor The girl from the Savo...
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Travels with Charley and the Travel Media Awards in Dublin!

I was rooting through some books that I haven't finished because of my travels and I came across the very wonderful Travels with Charley by none other than the brilliant John Steinbeck. I bought my copy while I was at the authors family home, pictured above, in the town of Salinas, California. My children posed patiently while I ranted and and raved my way around the house wh...
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The Novel Traveller News

I've just turned the final pages of the book I've been reading for the last few weeks. 'Us' by David Nicholls called out to me from the shelves of the Hotel Paradise's library on the beautiful island of koh Yao nao in Thailand. As I was a big fan of his book 'One Day' I was really looking forward to reading 'US'. I had every intention of putting it back before leaving, but ...
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The Novel Traveller has been short-listed for an award

  I've had the lovely news that my Travel Blog The Novel Traveller has been short-listed for a Travel Media award in the category best New Irish Travel Blog. It's very exciting news and comes on the same day that my first fashion feature has been published in the Irish Daily Mail YOU magazine about the beautiful Jennifer Rothwell dress that I wore to the Texas Emera...
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Obama in Havana and JFK in Dallas

I seem to be following the presidents of the USA about at the moment! After taking a trip to Dallas and visiting the grassy knoll among other special attractions I find my book One Kiss in Havana has been attracting attention on the Waterstones website. Top listed books set in Cuba read here. To get a copy on Amazon click here My short stay in Dallas was action packed with t...
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Tales of a Century 1916-2016, My new book of short stories out now!

It is one hundred years to the day since the Easter rising in 1916 and to commemorate this occasion children all over the country are raising flags in their schools in a show of national pride. I am very proud to be Irish and part of the circle of Irish writers who have spread their words around the globe. I recently attended the Texas Emerald Ball in Dallas as guest author...
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What are you getting your mum for Mothering Day

I always think Mother's Day should be called Mothering Day because we all have female figures who have mothered us, teachers, aunties, grannies and women who have shown us love. Mother's Day is an opportunity to do something special with these women and get together with your sisters.  I took my Mother for a spot of Afternoon Tea yesterday at the Tearooms at Tankardstown House ...
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