Publishing Ireland

Publishing Ireland, originally founded in 1970 as CLÉ – the Irish Book Publishers’ Association, is a member-led organisation that offers Irish publishers the chance to share their knowledge and expertise and collaborate to solve problems of common concern. Our vision is to promote an Ireland where Irish publishing thrives and creates books that showcase the diverse cultural experiences of Irish people all over the world.

Our membership has grown over the years to 64 members and we are proud to be a cross-border organization, with a Board made up of staff from member companies, as well as various committees and working groups. Our membership is broad, from micro-publishers to some of the largest publishing houses in Ireland, publishing across various sectors including trade, children’s, and academic.

Publishing Ireland is committed to the principles of inclusion and accountability, responding to and anticipating the needs of our members. We acknowledge that the Irish book-buying market is healthy, with growth across most genres in recent years. However, we also recognize that economic and political developments such as surging print and paper costs, the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, the impact of Brexit with associated logistical costs, and the increasing threat to freedom of expression are all common concerns.

We care about sustainability and the effects of climate change, which remain an ongoing concern for all industries and individuals. We continue to share information and support our members through these uncharted times. Collaboration and professional growth across our peer network are integral to our work. Publishing Ireland gratefully receives support from the Arts Council of Ireland to deliver a year-round program of professional training events. Creating affordable and high-quality training opportunities, customized to our sector, ensures a highly-skilled and dynamic workforce that will secure the current and future success of Irish publishing.