Book Launch

Written by Adrian Murdock

Sunday, 18 March 2007

Marjorie Harshaw Robie Launches her long awaited book, "Dwelling Place of Dragons" in Newry Arts Centre to an audience of over 50 people and is interviewed on UTV.  On the evening of Tuesday 6th March Marjorie Harshaw Robie arrived at Newry Arts Centre to launch her book, along with her editor Ron Donaghue and American friends, Karen Hickey & Brenda Coursey. Hilary Halliday of the Council had arranged the reception and Mayor Michael Carr was in attendance for the special event. Invitations had been sent out to close on 200 people and over 50 arrived.  The most interesting face was Ivan Little of UTV, who came with a camera crew to interview Marjorie, before the launch.  He immediately recognised her from the time she was filmed 10 years ago, when she brought the "Harshaw Diaries" back to Ireland. While Marjorie was being interviewed, the guests mingled, chatting and enjoying light refresments. Around 8pm events started, as Hilary Halliday welcomed all and introduced the event of the evening. She called on Mayor Michael Carr to speak and he welcomed all, especially Marjorie and the American visitors. It was then Marjorie's turn to speak and she spoke of how the book came into existence, of life in Newry in the 1830s and a major outline of each of the characters, James Harshaw, John Martin & George Henderson. The room was filled with the flash of cameras and around 6 photographers from local papers were in attendance. Following her talk, Marjorie was given a large round of applause, folk were then able to purchase copies of the book and get them personally signed by Marjorie. Most of the guests lingered around until after 10pm, chatting to each other and making new connections, indeed some of the people had travelled from as far as Dublin, Co.Cavan & Belfast.