I’m travelling back to Ireland for another promotional book tour! I cannot wait. Last year was filled with surprises and amazing opportunities, and this year seems to be heading in the same direction. I have a fast and furious itinerary, five days and three presentations, a stop at my favorite pub in Ballinhassig, and a chance to catch up with my Irish colleagues and friends!
Last year I presented Yours Faithfully, Florence Burke in similar areas, but this year I have a new Itinerary with brand-new venues. Here is a map of where I will be headed in Ireland:
September 19: Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre, Skibbereen, 5pm.
Skibbereen is a gorgeous town located right next door to Schull, where my ancestor, Florence Burke, was born. It was hit tremendously hard during the Potato Famine. Mass graves of famine victims remain in Skibbereen, reminding natives of their tragic past. A lovely museum called the Great Irish Famine Heritage Centre commemorates the local victims and keeps their history alive. The Uillinn West Cork Irish Centre is currently hosting Quinnipiac University’s Great Hunger Museum art exhibition, ”Coming Home: Art and the Great Hunger” and my book talk will be a part of this event.
Sept. 20th: Cork City Library, Grand Parade, Cork City, 6:30pm.
This talk is very special because I will be introduced by one of my mentors, Damian Shiels, an archaeologist, historian and author of “The Forgotten Irish, The Irish in the American Civil War.” Damian wrote the summary on the back of the new edition of my book, and now I have the opportunity to meet him in person. At the presentation in Cork City, Damian will discuss why so many famine immigrants joined the American Civil War, and how they greatly impacted it. I will then talk about my great, great grandfather’s own experiences as expressed through his war letters. (Link to my talk)
Sept. 21st: Epic Irish Emigration Museum, CHQ Custom House Quay Dublin 1, 5:30
My last presentation will be held at this fantastic, modern museum. I will be speaking here on Ireland’s Culture Night, a National evening of celebration for Irish art, dance, music, literature, history and culture.
* Another fun fact is that Prince Harry and Princess Megan visited this museum while they were on their honey\moon in Ireland.
I am honored to share my story at this prestigious museum, speaking about my own ancestor’s emigrant experience. They are one family among the 2 million that emigrated during the time of the Great Hunger https://epicchq.com/wild-geese-florence-burke-us-civil-war/
Like last year, I will post pictures of my journeys and take live video whenever possible. I can’t wait to share the experience…and show the beauty, the people, the pubs, and the culture of Ireland!
Last year’s photo from West Cork, Baltimore Ireland
