Mother Mother: A poignant journey of friendship and forgiveness

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There isn’t too much of a plot, it’s just a nice story following Orla as she learns to live in London and away from her family who are in Dublin.

Since leaving the BBC, Macmanus has realised that working mostly in school hours so she can spend time with her family is “a feminist choice. It’s feminism to figure out what works for you and when to say ‘no’.” She smiles. “It feels f---ing cool.” As someone who can’t resist a bit of a sad story, I loved every second of this melancholy tale of motherhood. Macmanus does a good job of giving us the little details so familiar to Irish people living at home and abroad: the chats with the other ex-pats in the local Irish pub; the maudlin ramblings after drink of how difficult life is/was; the phone calls home where guilt is laid on, however inadvertently. Orla gets caught up in a merry-go-round of being glad to be away from home so she can flourish in a way she believes she couldn’t in Ireland, but then not being able to get away from home in a spiritual sense—the elderly gentlemen in the pub reminding her of what it has to move abroad, her family issues haunting her despite the miles and Irish sea between them, and the nagging feeling that her new life isn’t all that different to what it might have been had she stayed at home – she hasn’t had the expected metamorphosis into a young, hip Londoner quite yet.

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AMP Lost & Found Festival review: An unforgettable weekend". The Independent. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022 . Retrieved 25 February 2019. In conclusion, Annie Mac is a truly captivating figure in the world of entertainment. Her incredible talent, passion for music, and undeniable charisma have made her a beloved household name. From her early days as a radio presenter to her successful career as a DJ and music curator, Annie Mac has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the industry.With her influential radio show, Annie Mac has been instrumental in promoting and discovering new and emerging artists, giving them a platform to showcase their talents. Through her live DJ sets and performances, she has entertained audiences around the world, leaving them in awe of her skillful mixing and amazing song selection.Annie Mac’s unwavering dedication to championing diversity and inclusivity in the music industry has also made her a true role model. Her efforts to elevate underrepresented voices and create a more balanced and inclusive space for artists and fans alike are commendable.As we look forward to what the future holds for Annie Mac, one thing is for certain – her star will continue to shine bright, captivating audiences and leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. FAQs

The you-know-yourself way MacManus details her craft is rooted in humility. She has a big name and a small ego. She is down to earth, real. She has a tendency to ask a fair number of questions in interviews where she’s the subject. I’ve also had to learn when to say no – to the point where I’ve probably gone too far and should probably say yes to a few more things! Socialising is particularly important now, as being a novelist can be isolating. In many ways, so is DJing, but I have still found adjusting to being a writer difficult. With radio, you collaborate with a team, you build a show every day and there’s a direct connection with the listeners - which is in contrast to rattling around on your own in the house all day. So much so that I’m thinking of joining a choir.And I will stroll the merry way, and jump the hedges first. And I will drink the clear clean water for to quench my thirst. And I shall watch the ferry-boats and they’ll get high on a bluer ocean against tomorrow’s sky. And I will never grow so old again. And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain.” – Van Morrison, Sweet Thing Macmanus arrived in London in 2001, the year Brian Dowling won Big Brother. “A very different time,” she laughs. In the novel, which is set around the same time, Orla is dealing with a lot of issues at home. Her father has left her mother and is living with another woman. There’s a sense that she is running away not just from her life in Ireland but from herself, from the problems she doesn’t want to face. A scene at a music festival, where she has a sexual experience she can’t quite remember, is powerful. Of course, the hormones hit me eventually. My social group used to call periods The Confidence. I remember in assembly nudging my friend and saying: “I’ve got The Confidence!” It was a big deal. The move from primary to secondary school is a seismic one and that wild, feral side started to diminish. I remember ringing my dad from the desk at Radio 1 and saying: ‘I got a permanent job!’ While the decision feels very self-directed, there was one niggling aspect to leaving the always-on treadmill barrelling along underneath the kind of live radio MacManus had perfected. She is seen as hugely successful as an individual, but also someone who advocates for other women in the industry, female musicians – for example, calling out gender imbalance in festival line-ups – that other, more cautious presenters might shy away from.