Johnny Magory and the Forest Fleadh Cheoil

Johnny Magory and the Forest Fleadh Cheoil by Emma-Jane Leeson

A collaboration between Emma-Jane Leeson and Don Conroy.

Johnny Magory, his trusty dog Ruairi and his sister Lily-May have a magical adventure in a woodland setting with all their Irish animal friends.
They can’t believe their good luck when they learn the animals are having a Fleadh Cheoil (music competition) that day and join in the fun and frolics.
Johnny climbs the giant oak tree to sit beside the judge, Layla Barn Owl, but then realizes he can’t get down.
Can Lily-May and Ruairi save the day?

Inspired by the astounding beauty of the trees and trails at Donadea Forest Park, Co. Kildare.

“I’ll tell you a story about Johnny Magory”.

Growing up in Ireland, each and every night Emma-Jane Leeson’s Mammy and Daddy told her “a story about Johnny Magory”.
These ‘made-up’ tales were usually derived from whatever sort of harm and devilment EJ had got up to that day and she couldn’t wait for bedtime for her mother to read a book and her father to tell her a story about what Johnny had done too!
Based on the old Irish rhyme “I’ll tell you a story about Johnny McGory. WIll I begin it? That’s all that’s in it!”, her father’s storytelling ensured EJ and her siblings went to sleep excited about their next “adventure” in the morning.

Three decades later, this inspired Emma-Jane Leeson to write down a few stories and bring Johnny McGory to the next generation (and indulged her passion for little people with big imaginations, writing and wildlife as well!)