Growing up and living in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, David Brennan knew of its natural beauty, difficult history, and rich heritage. It is no wonder so many writers have found inspiration in Mayo. Whether homegrown or blow-ins, writers such as Mike McCormack, Sally Rooney, Colin Barrett, John F. Deane, Michael Viney, have almost become synonymous with the place. Despite differing styles, and whether writing poetry, novels, or nonfiction, these writers share a strong sense of the place in their work. Mayo gets into your bones.
Mayo Books Press was started to support local authors and books about Mayo. With David’s background with Castle Books, he thought that he would be well suited to promote Mayo-focused literature. It has since expanded with stories and authors that have international reach, while still keeping Mayo at its heart.
A county soaked in history, strong communities live in close proximity to the natural world. Ring forts and corncrake nests. Bog bordered GAA pitches. To be in Mayo is to be aware of the wild, the land, how we live off it and often up against it. It is this that we hope to capture with Mayo Books Press. As well as books on Mayo, we publish books on history, nature, sport, the climate crisis and ecology. Our dedicated children's literature list encourages an early love of literature which supports engagement in the world around.
Quality is important to us. At Mayo Books Press we know that a good story well told is a book that should be published. It’s our job to do that with care and quality every step of the way. Our books are expertly edited and designed to the highest standards, presenting the story in the best way that we can.
The ethos of Mayo Books Press is one of conservation: of our heritage, of the environment and of the future of literature in rural Ireland.