New Island spreads the love with the acquisition of Reeling in the Queers by Páraic Kerrigan, a history of LGBTQ experiences in Ireland. .

New Island Books (Dublin) is thrilled to announce the acquisition of REELING IN THE QUEERS: TALES OF IRELAND’S LGBTQ PAST by Páraic Kerrigan, publishing on 7 June 2024.

About: Amidst the moments of seismic change in gay, lesbian, trans and queer history in Ireland lie the stories of ordinary people, who did extraordinary things to change queer Ireland and Irish culture.

Marking 50 years of the founding of an LGBTQ rights movement in Ireland, REELING IN THE QUEERS explores the lesser known, less celebrated stories of the fight for LGBTQ rights . . . beyond decriminalization and Marriage Equality by uncovering fourteen key moments that reflect the changing social and cultural landscape of Ireland, this book tells the story of the collective gains, losses, devastation and community rising from the ashes of defeat.

These stories, from across the island of Ireland – and beyond! – will celebrate a strong community and its allies, providing an exchange across generations. It is a hugely enjoyable and insightful read for those who lived through this history and for those who enjoy its benefits today.

Informed by rigorous research in the archives and oral history interviews, it is entirely accessible to the general reader. It is intended to bring even more to life the great big gay tapestry in Ireland, to enable young queer Irish people to access their own important history, the light, the dark and the brilliance of all of it.

Comments: Commenting on the acquisition, Páraic Kerrigan says, ‘ I wanted to write this book to look at the cracks and fissures in Irish history and to tell the stories that have left an indelible mark not just on the queer community but on modern-day Ireland; stories that bear witness to the resilience of queer culture, a testament to how it emerged and thrived against all odds, and the people who made it happen’

New Island commissioning editor Aoife K. Walsh says, ‘Continuing New Island’s long tradition of prising stories out from the nooks and crannies of our past, we are proud and delighted to be publishing Páraic Kerrigan’s important new book, REELING IN THE QUEERS. We couldn’t resist it with a title like that and he is already a dream to work with! Queer history in Ireland is Irish history and we strongly believe that acknowledging and celebrating these stories protects all of our futures as much as our pasts.’

PÁRAIC KERRIGAN is an author, researcher and Assistant Professor at University College Dublin, where he teaches on LGBTQ Irish culture. His first book, LGBTQ Visibility, Media and Sexuality in Ireland was published by Routledge in 2021 and explored media representations of Ireland’s LGBTQ community. He is currently leading a project called Waking the Hirschfeld, an oral history podcast about the LGBTQ community space, the Hirschfeld Centre, which operated out of Temple Bar from 1979-1987.

For further information contact Des Doyle, Marketing and Publicity Manager, des.doyle@newisland.ie