So there we have it. The inaugural Reading Ireland Month/ Begorrathon is over and what a great month it has been!
With over 100 blog posts, an array of writers, poets, musicians and movies were explored. I read 10 books by Irish authors out of my 746 and discovered many, many more writers I would love to read! I’ll be compiling all the fantastic blog posts submitted into an Ireland Month 2015 Page in the next few weeks.
I also ran out of time and didn’t get to post about A Girl is a Half Formed Thing (which I loved) or Michael McDonagh’s The Pillowman – both of which I read. Next year could someone make March just a few days longer please?!
Congratulations to the winners of my weekly giveaways:
Col at The Only Way is Reading won the Roddy Doyle books
Raven Crime Reads won the Irish Crime package
Linda at Crime Worm won the Yeats 2015 giveaway
Akylina at The Literary Sisters won the Nuala Ní Chonchúir/ Leland Bardwell books
Highlights of the month for me were the response to my post on the rise of Irish Crime Fiction, getting the chance to interview the fantastic Nuala Ní Chonchúir and wasting an entire afternoon trawling through Father Ted clips on You Tube!
I’ve also learned a few things this month.
- I can read a lot more books when I need to. I could have this 746 done and dusted much quicker if I just put my mind to it
- If I hadn’t set myself this mad 746 challenge, I would absolutely have a blog about Irish literature instead
- I have so many Irish books that I didn’t get to that I think I’ll still be doing Ireland Month in 2018!
- I’ve really enjoyed pushing myself and writing about books and literature outside of the 746 and I may try and find a way to incorporate that into the blog in the future.
Finally and most importantly, I’ve learned that you guys are fantastic. Thanks to everyone who took part, from the blog posts to the retweets, you have all been supportive and joined in the fun.
A massive thanks to Niall at The Fluff is Raging for co-hosting this celebration with me and to V at The Verbal Spew for sponsoring the Great Irish care Package prize, the winner of which will be announced at the start of next week.
So for now, it’s back to normality here at 746books. I’ll keep working on that TBR and am looking forward to hosting an Age of Innocence Read-a-Long with Jacqui Wine’s Journal and planning my books for the 20 Books of Summer Challenge. You can be sure though that there will be a little bit of plotting and planning going on backstage for The Begorrathon 2016! Keep following the Begorrathon on Facebook for news on Irish Literature and plans for next year.
Oh I’d forgot about the Age of Innocence read-along… Keen to join in – when is it?
You’ve had a very productive Irish month & I for one have a few more Irish authors in my sights … and I’ll never forget my introduction to Roddy Doyle… Paula haunts me!
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We’re doing it in May now Poppy, be great fun if you would join us! I’ve had a ball this month, but I think a wee breather is in order.
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Put it in the diary 🙂
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It would be lovely if you could join us, Poppy. We’re thinking of going for June rather than May. Would June work for you?
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Well done, Cathy, you did a fantastic job hosting this event and I’m happy to see that so many people joined in. And congrats on knocking 10 books off your list! That’s quite an accomplishment in one month’s time. 🙂
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It was like a mini March Madness!
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It was an absolute honour to co-host this with you. Thank you for asking me. And watching Father Ted is never a waste of time. Have a wonderful Easter. nx.
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Here’s to next year mucker 😉
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Congratulations on a great Begorrathon! I didn’t participate, but I’ve enjoyed reading some of the reviews and have learned about loads of authors I hadn’t come across before. Maybe next year…
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Thank you so much. Definately going to do it again next year so be great if you could join in!
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Wow, great post. Very impressive!
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Thank you!
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You were so productive this month that I think you deserve a nap. 🙂
Even though I didn’t get to any Irish books this month, I’ve loved following along, and have added some great books to my list. I’m sure they’re just as good any time of the year. Maybe next year I’ll be able to plan ahead a bit better.
Congrats on a great month!
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Thanks Naomi, I’m trying to settle on a book to read now and I can’t! Need a few days off! Will definately do it next year.
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Congratulations on a great event, Cathy. Over 100 posts across all participants, that’s quite an achievement! I too have enjoyed reading about the some of the writers featured in your posts.
Looking forward to The Age of Innocence readalong. Have a lovely Easter. x
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I finished my Irish book, finally. I should probably have chosen another.
https://ravenscroftcloud.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/reading-ireland-month-4-daysbegorrathon-the-book-of-evidence/
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Congrats on hosting such a big and successful event!
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Thanks Bree. Hope March Madness went well for you x
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Congrats on hosting such a long and successful event!
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Cathy, you put so much effort and work into this event! I’m impressed and thankful, and I’m happy to read that you are already planning for a repeat next year. I had so much fun with the Irish books I read ( yeah, I finally read Dracula!), and I discovered lots of new-to-me writers. So I’ll be right along with you through 2018! 🙂
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Aw you’re a star. That’s lovely to hear, thanks so much!
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Congratulations to Cathy and Niall, for making this such a brilliant and inspired blogging month, and for introducing me to so many wonderful bloggers and their work. I’ve had so much fun reading and have learned so much. Here’s to The Begorrathon!
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