William D. Hanna was born in Belfast and studied in Edinburgh, Limoges, and at the College of Europe in Bruges. He was an Irish and European diplomat and served as EU Ambassador in Tanzania, Uruguay, Bangladesh and Ghana. His Italian wife was born in Tanzania. They have three children and six grandchildren and divide their time between Scotland and Italy.
The Corncrake's Welcome was mentioned in the Irish Times on 13 January 2024. The author gave an interview to BBC Radio Ulster on 18 February 2024. Five star reviews have appeared in Good Reads and on Amazon.
'A splendid book. it marries very well a personal story, fascinating family history and the overarching political context. The accounts of the author's youth in Belfast and early career in Dublin are striking and often amusing. I particularly enjoyed the excerpts from his father's memoirs of Co Antrim and his mother's war-time diary. The book strikes a sensitive balance in regard to the troubles - and the responsibilities on both sides.
'A lyrical and moving memoir. The author writes in a clear and interesting way with insight and love. I could not put it down.'
'A stunning memoir. A poignant story - but also one filled with love and joy and plenty of fun. The writing is immediate and light of touch. The author draws the reader in so that the family becomes yours too and you lose yourself in the story.'
'Welcome indeed. A touching account of growing up in Northern Ireland during the troubles. Told with great clarity and sensitivity, the author offers both his experience and that of his family to tell both his story and that of his country. A deeply engaging read I finished in two sittings. Highly recommended.
The Corncrake's Welcome is the sequel to Voyages With My Grandfather published in 2020, and considered 'Beautifully written. Very moving' by Alexander McCall Smith. G. J. Randal described it as 'A history for today and tomorrow. William Hanna is an experienced writer whose voice comes through very clearly as he joins up time and space between generations.'
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