So today’s post marks the final part of my US Book Tour, that took me from Indiana to Chicago and finally to New York. I had so many firsts on this trip, my US TV Interview, my Barnes & Noble Book signing, taking part in two St Patricks Day Parades, meeting Mayors, RockStars, Authors, Playwrights, Broadwaystars and best of all, readers and book lovers, that prove no matter where we live, we all speak the same language when it comes to books.
If you would like to play catch up on my trip so far, click here
Part1 Its a long long way from Screen to here
Part2 Two degrees of seperation between President Obama and me
Part3 A tale of two Emerald Cities
Part4 Talking Usain Bolt, Jimmy Fallon, Black 47 and Grace
Today’s final installment brings me to Yonkers in New York and then to 42nd Street.
My last speaking event was at the Aisling Irish Center in Yonkers, which is the 4th most populous city in New York and also home to a large number of Irish Americans.
The Aisling Irish Center was established in 1996 and everyday provides many services to help Irish immigrants navigate their way around New York when they first arrive. It also is one of the main providers of services for the elderly Irish and Irish-American community in Yonkers and Woodlawn.
I was completely charmed by the group of book lovers who arrived in the center for my talk. Everyone introduced themselves and the room was full of Irish immigrants, but with a few Americans who love Irish fiction also present too. I was fascinated to hear how long some present had been in America. Eileen Moran, a beautiful lady with a wonderful smile told me she left Cork in 1951 at the young age of 15. Isn’t that incredible? When I think of how nervous she must have been leaving Ireland for what was a 12 hour flight back then, to a big, bright new world, well I am in awe.
I had a really enjoyable chat with the group and I say chat deliberately, because that’s what it felt like – a group of friends having a gossip about writing a book. I hope that it’s the first of many such chats in the Aisling Center and I look forward to our promised skype book discussion chat soon.
After the talk, Rog and I joined LynnMarie Hulsman and her husband Sam at their lovely apartment which happens to be on 42nd Street! The view from their 26th floor apartment is incredible and I don’t think I’d ever get bored looking at it!
We had the most wonderful evening with wine, cheese and delicious nibbles, then I managed to persuade Sam to sing to us. Sam Cohen, is an actor and musician and a Broadway star, with serious talent! He was in Once the musical and his version of Raglan Road that he sang to open the show, would melt the most hardened of hearts.
In the wee hours of the morning I was even persuaded by Sam to sing a few Wexford tunes. Pinot Noir makes you brave! Cringe! But it was a perfect way to spend our final night in New York – just chatting, singing, drinking & eating around a table with friends.
The next morning, we packed our cases and did some quick shopping for the children and for Annie and Evelyn, our two walking angels who took such good care of Amelia and Nate so that Rog could join me in New York. And it would have been a much different experience had Rog not been there to share it with me. So Annie and Evelyn, thank you both.
The journey home with United Airlines was seamless and the reunion with our children joyous. We haven’t stopped kissing and hugging yet – honestly we haven’t. I missed them so much, it hurt. But despite missing them, I also had the best time of my life.
Thank you once again to everyone who helped make my first US Book Tour so successful and more than that so much fun. Everybody I met on my travels welcomed me with open arms and I’ll be forever grateful.
There’s a line in Neil Diamonds song ‘Coming to America’ that kept buzzing through my mind when I was there,
‘We’ve got dreams we’ve come to share, We’re coming to America’
Thankyou America for letting me share my dream with you all. This songs for you……
Chat soon,
Carmel
x
