Martin launches ‘Paws for Story Time’

FOR one Listowel man, Writers’ Week marked a poignant occasion as he remembered his daughter on her first anniversary in one of the highlight events of the children’s side of the programme.

Martin Moore - who now lives in Blennerville - was back in his home town on Saturday to launch the book Paws for Story Time that is dedicated to his daughter, Fiona (16), who suffered from primary pulmonary hypertension and passed away in May of last year while waiting for a lung transplant.

The Blennerville teen made quite an impression in her short life, not least on creative-writing teacher Megan Wynne.

Fiona honed her own creative writing talent while taking part in Megan Wynne’s classes during treatment at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin and one of her short stories is now included in Paws for Story Time - graciously provided by Martin and wife Deirdre in a fitting tribute to their daughter.

The book also features work by a number of other talented young writers, children, teenagers and adults, who attended Megan Wynne’s classes and its launch in the Community Centre on Saturday came as one of the highlights of the children’s side of the festival; this year forming the first-ever National Children’s Literary Festival.

Martin was delighted to meet the other writers from the collection and share its stories with so many avid younger readers in the event.

Paws for Story Time is now available to purchase at www.meganwynne.com and, for a limited time, at Eason’s of Listowel.