Publishing Ireland

Publishing Ireland is now inviting applications for the position of Programme Manager for the 2011 Dublin Book Festival. The contract will run for over 6 months, from mid-September until the end of March 2011 and will be part-time. This is a position for a person with commitment, energy and enthusiasm, who is ready to seize an excellent opportunity for their own career and for the further development of this exciting Festival. Please contact Publishing Ireland, info@publishingireland.com, for a more detailed job description. Applications, with CV, must be returned by email to info@publishingireland.com to reach Publishing Ireland by 5pm on Wednesday 1st September 2010. Interviews will be held the week beginning the 6th September.

Congratulations to all involved in Dublin’s designation as a UNESCO City of Literature, especially our own ex-President of Publishng Ireland Alan Hayes, Arlen House, Dublin City Libraries' Jane Alger and Deirdre Ellis-King and Dublin's Lord Mayor Gerry Breen. We are confident that the designation will provide a much-needed boost for Ireland’s book and tourism sectors.

“This prestigious accolade will further international interest in Irish literature and attract cultural tourists who tend to spend more money and stay longer,” said Alan Hayes, former president of Publishing Ireland and publisher at Arlen House Publishers. Mr Hayes, who played a key role in the bid, says the designation will open new opportunities for Irish publishers on a local, national and international level.

“The three other UNESCO Cities of Literature [Edinburgh, Melbourne and Iowa City] have successfully capitalised on their status, and their annual book festivals now attract thousands of international visitors. We believe that the annual Dublin Book Festival, which takes place in March, now has the impetus to become a highlight on the international cultural calendar," said Mr Hayes.

The sought after accolade was bestowed by the Director General of UNESCO and recognises Dublin’s cultural profile and its international standing as a city of literary excellence.

A detailed application was made to UNESCO last November by a steering and management group and was subject to a rigorous vetting procedure. Partners in the submission included representatives from literary-related organisations as well as culture, arts, tourism, government, media and educational institutions across the city and country.

For more information see dublincityofliterature.ie or email info@publishingireland.com

Publishing Ireland is saddened to hear that CMD BookSource will cease trading in Ireland on 30th September this year. As one of the two main book distributors in Ireland CMD BookSource has been a hugely significant player in the book trade in Ireland.

CMD BookSource has provided great service to the publishing sector and ensured Irish published books were available across the entire island in bookshops large and small - and in markets across Europe and the US.

“The indigenous book sector in Ireland has suffered greatly in the current economic situation and the closure of one distributor places an additional stress on the publishers who seek to produce and promote Irish books, by Irish writers for the Irish public,” said Jean Harrington, President of Publishing Ireland.

“We are more reliant than ever on the loyalty of our customers and would continue to encourage the consumer to buy great Irish books,“ she added.

Up to now, CMD BookSource and Gill & Macmillan were the two main book distributors in Ireland. Argosy books have now extended their business to distribution and ÁIS continues to distribute Irish language books.

Gill & Macmillan
info@gillmacmillan.ie, 00353 (0)1 5009500
10 Hume Avenue, Park West, Dublin 12
www.gillmacmillan.ie

ÁIS
ais@forasnagaeilge.ie, 00353 (0)87 2420319
Mount Street, Dublin 2
www.gaeilge.ie

Argosy Books
info@argosybooks.ie, 00353 (0)1 8239500
Unit 12 North Road, North Park, Finglas, Dublin 11
www.argosybooks.ie

For more information email info@publishingireland.com

Publishing Ireland presented Getting the Most out of Frankfurt 2010, a seminar on Tuesday 29th June in the Guinness Enterprise Centre.

Speakers were Clodagh Feehan, Mercier Press, Fergal Tobin, Gill & Macmillan and Aoife Walsh from Ireland Literature Exchange. Peter O'Connell from Liberties Press chaired the event.

The seminar offered valuable information for everyone attending Frankfurt Book Fair in 2010 as well as those interested in exploring international rights. The seminar was free for members. For more information email info@publishingireland.com

Thanks to Culture Ireland for their support for this activity.

Publishing Ireland, in partnership with Culture Ireland, organised a delegation of Irish book publishers to attend Book Expo America, New York, 25th, 26th and 27th May 2010.

The Ireland stand at BEA 2010 was Independent Publishers Booth No. 4852 and the delegation attending comprised Blackstaff Press, Mercier Press, Liberties Press, O'Brien Press and Brandon Books as well as Special Stories, Cló Iar-Chonnacht and Blackhall Publishing.

See bookexpoamerica.com for more information on BEA and email projects@publishingireland.com for more information on the project.

The activity also included a networking event in the form of a reception co-hosted with the New York Consulate General of Ireland on Tuesday 25th May.
Thanks to Culture Ireland for their support for this activity as well as the Consulate General of Ireland and Enteprise Ireland.

The Ireland stand at the 2010 London Book Fair was i105 and was shared with
An tSnáthaid Mhór, Blackstaff Press, Brandon/Mount Eagle, Cork University Press/Attic Press, De Barra Publishing, Guildhall Press, Merlin Publishing/Wolfhound Press, Liberties Press, Mercier Press and The O'Brien Press.
If you want to book space on the stand for London 2011 please email projects@publishingireland.com

Thanks to Culture Ireland for their support for this activity.

The Publishing Ireland AGM took place on Wednesday 5th May 2010 in the Central Hotel, Dublin 2. The following Board members were elected:

President: Jean Harrington, Maverick House
Vice-President: Peter O'Connell, Liberties Press
Zoe Faulder, Blackhall Publishing
Dan Farrelly, Carysfort Press
Tony Hetherington, Gill & Macmillan
Frank Scott-Lennon, Management Briefs
Michael McLoughlin, Penguin Ireland

For more information please email info@publishingireland.com

The Dublin Book Festival took place on
Saturday 6th, Sunday 7th and Monday 8th March 2010.
Launched on Wednesday, 24th February, the programme featured
the best of Irish published authors in a warm, welcome and festive environment.
For more information and a downloadable programme visit dublinbookfestival.com

Click here to view information on some past projects:
2009 News & Events

2008 News & Events

2007 News & Events