The Ulster American Folk Park in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, has launched a new exhibition based on the beloved children's book 'Under the Hawthorn Tree,' written by Marita Conlon-McKenna. Set during the Irish famine of the mid-19th century, the story follows siblings Eily, Michael, and Peggy as they navigate hardship and survival. Conlon-McKenna noted that current global events make the book's themes of famine and displacement particularly relevant today. The exhibition features interactive elements and a large hawthorn tree sculpture created by willow weaver Bob Johnston. The first school group to visit, P7 pupils from St Eithne's School in Derry, expressed their enthusiasm for the book and the exhibition, highlighting how it brought the story to life. Conlon-McKenna was thrilled to see children's engagement with her work, stating that the exhibition has exceeded her expectations and transformed her characters into a tangible experience.