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Author Judi renews family link to local school
NINETY eight years ago, Daniel Curtin took up the position of principal teacher at Mountcollins school.
He was to continue in that position until his death in 1919.
Last Friday, that century-old Curtin connection was relived as part of the Eigse Michael Hartnett events taking place across the west of the county, supported by Limerick County Council arts office.
Daniel Curtin's great-granddaughter, Judi Curtin, visited the school in memory of the ancestor whom she had never met, but also meet the young people and to celebrate the art of writing and storytelling.
Ms Curtin, as an author of children's books, says she enjoys visiting schools. Her visit to Mountcollins was especially important to her because of her family connection.
"The children were very inquisitive as to what it takes to be a writer of books. They wanted to know where I got my ideas and one of them wanted to know if I'm rich," said Ms Curtin.
Judi Curtin of Limerick city has been a best-selling children's author for years, and her titles such as Alice Next Door, Alice Again, Don't ask Alice, Alice in the Middle, Bonjour Alice and Alice and Megan Forever, have all been best-sellers. Their common theme is the friendship between two girl classmates and their experiences as they make their way through their young life, often being separated, but always being close.
Judi Curtin, who is married to Limerick solicitor Dan O'Gorman and has three teenage children, has also written novels.
"Very many of the children in the school knew of her in advance, having read the Alice books," the current principal, Larry Begley, told the Limerick Leader.
"They were delighted to meet her in person. She introduced herself and read from some of her books and then there was a question and answer session.
She was very generous with her time and gave the children at least an hour-and-a-half. We very much like to invite writers and storytellers to the school. We like to bring the outside world to the school," he said.
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