The lowdown on my book launches – Part 1 Dublin 

The Things I Should Have Told You is now on sale in bookshops across Ireland. Two book launches helped send it on its way  and I thought you might like to see some of the photos! 
Thursday 15th, we started off the launches in Dubray’s on Grafton Street. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the excitement at seeing my book in a shop window in that iconic Dublin street. 

If you’ve read Every Time A Bell Rings, you will remember I featured Grafton Street in the opening chapter, such is my love for it. So to see something I created in such a stunning window – in such good company too – was one of my career highlights to date.


I calmed my pre-launch nerves with a drink with my editor Charlotte Ledger. Then it was time to get the party started! Charlotte and I were both quite emotional, because we’ve worked together so closely right from the start, and this book was a big moment for us both. Charlotte is such an insightful and talented editor, I feel so lucky to have her in my corner. Her speech and surprise flowers from all at Harper Collins, had me in tears. 


Bestseller and Fair City actress, Claudia Carroll launched my book for me and her speech is one I’ll never forget. She had us all in tears with her warmth and when she told the room, that my writing reminded her of her friend, the incredible Maeve Binchy, I was overwhelmed. Maeve has been a huge inspiration to me and while I never met her in person, she’s played a part in my writing journey in ways that are hard to explain. Suffice to say, she is one of my writing heroes so to be compared to her is a dream for me. And speaking of heroes, Claudia has become another one for me. I still pinch myself that I’m so lucky to have her in my corner, as my friend and mentor. 


I love this pic, I think Claudia was telling the room that I could out drink Harper Collins CEO Charlie Redmyane! 

It was then time for me to make my speech and I managed to get through it with only a few stifled sobs. It’s such an emotional experience, I felt such support and love in that room, it would be impossible not to be affected. 

Here is my publicist Mary Byrne, Charlotte Ledger , Claudia Carroll and my agent Tracy Brennan.

Tony Purdue from Harper Collins, with Claudia, Tracy and me! 


I signed books for so many of you lovely friends and family … And Eoin Colfer and some of my Midday pals even popped by 




After wards the party moved to Davy Byrnes where we met up with children’s author Elizabeth Murray who also launched her book on the night – such a pleasure to share the after party with a lovely friend. 

  1. Roger and I couldn’t resist a final cocktail with The Liquor Room bear, before I collapsed into a happy sleep.


And the final pic, is my favourite of the night – my parents Tina and Michael O’Grady standing in front of my lovely Dubrays window. 

Part 2 with the lowdown on Wexford coming tomorrow, 

Thankyou

Carmel 

3 Comments

  1. this has made me smile Carmel so much. The warmth and love you are (were) surrounded by on the night was amazing. Only wish I could have been there to join in the fun. Am still reeling by the book and the review is in me to write yet………..lots of love to you pet. so very proud to be your friend and honoured to get the wee mention in the acknowledgements. As you know I was reading it poolside in Greece and telling everyone all about it (and the mention too) lol and then on the last night a family from Wexford arrived at the hotel and sure they knew all about you !! XX

    • Aw, thank you so much Ciara, for the gorgeous message. You are a fab friend, I’m so lucky to have you in my corner. I can just picture you telling all about the book! And gas, that you met a Wexford family!!! xxx

  2. Reblogged this on The Trace Literary Agency Blog and commented:
    I did a blog posting about my visit to Ireland a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to share Carmel Harrington’s post about her Dublin book launch for The Things I Should Have Told you.

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