Notwithstanding the country being in lockdown, Irish literary publishers have been busy over the last few months launching a host of new titles by some of our most talented and exciting writers. With many of us finding that we have more time for reading it’s a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the work of both new and established voices in Irish literature. Here is a round-up of just some of the new releases including links to readings, interviews and more. Titles are available to order either directly from publisher websites and/or from bookshops with online ordering facilities and also as e-book downloads.
Bansheehas published their first ever web-only issue, Issue #9.5 coinciding with their new website. The contents of this mini-issue will be released gradually on their website over the coming weeks, and will be free to read. The full print edition will be published in the autumn. Issue #9.5 will feature fiction from Conor Crummey, Tilley Nevin, Rachel Sargent, Tom Vowler and Hannah Whiteoak; non-fiction from Maureen Ott; poetry from John Kelly, Victoria Kennefick, Billy Ramsell, David Toms and Jessica Traynor.
Crannóg Magazine launched Issue 52 online here with recordings of a selection of the 42 contributors reading their work.
Doire Press has launched Almost the same blue and other stories by John O’Donnell. This is a debut short story collection from the author who has published poetry collections as well as award winning individual short stories. Watch the virtual launch which took place on 7th May here or read an extract here. Also just published is Galway Stories: 2020, edited by Alan McGonagle and Lisa Frank. A collection of stories set in Galway city and county it includes work by twenty writers who live or have lived in Galway as well as maps, photographs and background information on various neighbourhoods.
The Gallery Press has launched new poetry collections from Tom French, John McAuliffe and Caitríona Ní Chléirchín. Published on 2nd April The Sea Field, by Tom French and The Kabul Olypmics by John McAuliffe were both published on 2nd April with facebook launches and readings by the authors here. The Talk of the Town, Poems in Irish by Caitríona Ní Chléirchín, translated by Peter Fallon was published on 23rd April
The Lilliput Press published two new titles in March. Oona is a first novel by artist and film-maker Alice Lyons. Watch a reading by the author here. A Sabbatical in Leipzig is a second novel by Adrian Duncan. Read an interview with Adrian by Rob Doyle here or listen to the author read from his work here. Read extracts from both books on the Lilliput Press blog.
Little Island published a host of titles for children and young people earlier in the year: The Gone Book by Helena Close (older teens 15+yrs); Hope against Hope by Sheena Wilkinson (for older children/young teens); In the Garden by Noelle Smit (age 4+). Some upcoming titles to look out for include: Wulfie by Linday J. Sedgwick (coming out in August); Savage Her Reply by Deirdre Sullivan and the second book in the Free Range Detective Agency series will both be out in October.
New Island The novel chosen for Dublin One City One Book in 2020 is Tatty, by Christine Dwyer Hickey. Originally published to huge acclaim and hailed by critics as a masterpiece, a new edition with an introduction by Dermot Bolger has been published by New Island. Whilst live events planned for the Dublin One City One Book for 2020 have been rescheduled there is a rich programme of online activity and content celebrating the book at http://www.dublinonecityonebook.ie. Also just launched is debut novel A Quiet Tide, by Marianne Lee. Watch an author reading here. Centering on the life and work of Ireland’s first female botanist, Ellen Hutchins, A Quiet Tide fuses fact and fiction to imagine Ellen’s life and the challenges she faced, repressed by the gender and class confines of her time. Just released as part of New Island’s Modern Irish Classics series is a new edition of The Bogman by Walter Macken. Originally written in 1952 this edition includes an introduction by Nuala O’Connor.
O’Brien Press has a selection of new and forthcoming titles. Chasing Ghosts by Nicola Pierce (published March) An enthralling novel of two stories that speak to each other across time and thousands of miles, new from bestselling children’s author Nicola Pierce. The Sound of Freedom by Ann Murtagh A thrilling adventure set during Ireland’s War of Independence from a great new voice in children’s historical fiction. Barney Goose by Carol Ann Treacy (published March) Meet Barney Goose (and his little red hat!) as he meets new friends on an adventure along the Wild Atlantic Way, in a delightfully charming new picture book from author-illustrator Carol Ann Treacy. Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran (published 1st June) When teenage queen Lia inherits her corrupt uncle’s bankrupt kingdom, she brings a new spymaster into the fold ... Xania, who takes the job to avenge her murdered father. A thrilling YA debut from Helen Corcoran.
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