Mary Pat Kelly Galway Bay Book

      I'm writing away on Kelly Green, the sequel to Galway Bay so I haven't been blogging as much. But I wanted to invite you to listen to three interviews I did recently.

I've really enjoyed meeting Alison Cuddy, the wonderful host of Eight Forty-Eight Chicago's NPR interview show. She's so knowledgeable and great fun. We talked about the Irish, the Church, Mayors of Chicago and the Civil War. And I've loved getting to know Kate O'Brien, the show's producer. Her aunt went to my high school, Marywood!

Also I sat down for a long interview with my long time friend Adrian Flannelly. For 40 years Adrian's radio show Irish Radio has given voice to Irish and Irish American issues. Thanks to the show's producer Aine Sheridan.

Also, there's a video clip from my appearance on Good Day, New York hosted by a fellow Kelly Gang member Greg Kelly.

Hope you enjoy this and if you're near where I'll be in May and June – please come by! You can check on events here on my site. Happy Spring (finally!)     

      I've marched and sang and celebrated in Chicago and now I'm on my way to NY to be in the Parade. I've been staying in Bridgeport at the wonderful Polo Cafe and Bed & Breakfast where Dave Samber is a great host. I've been walking the streets Honora and her children knew so well and thinking of how hard all of our ancestors struggled so that we could live. Thinking too of the Japanese mothers right now fighting for their children's lives as they mourn the dead. So much like Irish women who refused to give up in spite of the horrors of the Great Starvation. As Honora said "We didn't die." She prayed St. Patrick's Prayer for strength and that's my wish for all who of us --that we be surrounded by grace and protection--above us, below us, in the radiance of the moon and the warmth of the sun and that we are all held in the palm of God's hand. Slainte!!!!!     

      Lots of interesting history and legends around Irish names and Irish first names. My husband, Martin Sheerin researched them and created a
website Baby Names of Ireland.

You can hear the late great Frank McCourt recall the
legend and pronunciation in audio of each Irish name on the site. Happy St. Patrick's Day!     

      Happy St. Patrick's Day.     

      I wanted to share with you a video of the day we placed a headstone on Honora's unmarked grave at Calvary Cemetery in Chicago.

    

      On my way from Three Lakes, Wisconsin to Milwaukee for Irish Fest. Had a wonderful family reunion on our beautiful Medicine Lake in Three Lakes. Thought how pleased Honora would be to see her great great great great grandchildren splashing in the clear water. A touch of Galway Bay. Mayor Ed Kelly of Chicago, Honora's grandson and a featured character in the sequel I'm working on called "Kelly Green", had a house in Eagle River, WI. I plan to set some scenes there so am doing research.

I'll be doing events in October and November. So please watch this space. Hope to see some of you in Milwaukee! I'm in the vendors tent with The Irish Boutique aka Paddy on the Square from Long Grove, Ill. signing books. What great supporters of Galway Bay. I think they have sold over 700 copies! And in February the trade paperback is due. I'm on the bus going south on Route 51. Wisconsin is almost as green as Ireland!! Slainte!!!!     

      Sorry to be behind on my blogs but Irishamerica.com will bring you to the article Returning to Ireland I wrote for Irish America Magazine about the group who traveled with me to Galway and Connemara to visit the places that inspired scenes in Galway Bay. We're thinking of doing another trip in May 2011 so let me know if you'd be interested! This issue of the magazine focuses on The Great Starvation and has some very beautiful pieces.