Mayo Books Press are delighted to be putting together an anthology of new Irish writing on the bog. An book of poetry and prose that explores the ecological, historical, and cultural significance of the Irish bog.

Turf. Labour. Cuckoo. Hare. Swallows. Orchids. Heather. Flask of tea kept hot in a sock. Turf in the sandwiches. Sunburned shoulders. Old buckets of cow feed filled with sods of turf. Diesel of the tractor. Fossil fuel. Heritage. Self-sufficiency. Loss. Process. Carbon.

The bog: ancient, a carbon sink, energy source, way of life, ecosystem, childhood memory. A place of heritage, of nature, of inspiration.

As a publisher based in Castlebar, we are surrounded by bogland, and familiar with its significance to our communities. The anthology will showcase how bogs connect us to our natural and ancestral roots, while also exploring themes of heritage, the rural working-class, and ecological and historical conservation.

We particularly welcome submissions by writers from underrepresented backgrounds and from members of new Irish communities.

We look forward to reading your work.

 

Submission Guidelines

Poems: 1-3 poems, max 40 lines per poem

Prose: 1 piece of prose, max 2000 words

Email in .doc format, with ‘Bog Anthology’ in the subject to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Deadline: 5pm on 1st of March 2026

New Publication: "The Tan War – Ballyovey (Partry/Tourmakeady), South Mayo"

"The Tan War – Ballyovey (Partry/Tourmakeady), South Mayo", by Micheál Lally and Ultan Lally, is now available from Mayo Books Press.

This newly updated edition presents fresh research and previously unpublished personal accounts relating to the War of Independence in South Mayo. Focusing on the Ballyovey, Partry, and Tourmakeady areas, the book offers a detailed and community-centred perspective on events that shaped the region over a century ago, highlighting the experiences of local people during this pivotal period in Irish history.

The publication will be officially launched on Sunday, 3rd May at approximately 7:15pm in Tourmakeady Hall. The launch forms part of a commemorative evening marking 105 years since the Tourmakeady Ambush. The event will also include the unveiling of a new memorial at Srah at 6pm and a talk exploring the role of women in the struggle for Irish independence.

"The Tan War – Ballyovey (Partry/Tourmakeady), South Mayo" will be of particular interest to readers of Irish history, local studies, and those seeking to engage more deeply with the stories and heritage of County Mayo.