Salmon Poetry, taking its name from the Salmon of Knowledge in Celtic mythology, was established in 1981 as an alternative voice in Irish literature. The Salmon, a journal of poetry and prose was a flagship for writers in the west of Ireland, and Salmon's first books, Gonella by Eva Bourke and Goddess on the Mervue Bus by Rita Ann Higgins broke new ground for women poets. Since then over 200 volumes of poetry have been produced, and Salmon has become one of the most important publishers in the Irish literary world. By specialising in the promotion of new poets, particulary women poets, Salmon has enriched Irish literary publishing.
Salmon Poetry has continually taken risks. The challenge has always been in walking the tightrope between innovation and convention. The conventional approach is what makes art comfortable for people, accepted and necessary, but creative expression is not always so and not always immediately popular.The judgment of what is Good and Bad in art is fraught, and it is, unfortunately, easier for many people to focus on what has already been accepted into the established stable. New work is work which is vulnerable; the greatest of artists can look back at their early work and see how far they have progressed. In order to progress there has to be a starting point. And if we are broad minded and willing to nurture the individual voice inherent in the work, the artist will emerge. Salmon has always given focus to this concept and seen its writers flourish.In recent years Salmon has developed a cross-cultural, international literary dialogue... "broadening the parameter of Irish literature by opening up to other cultures and by urging new perspectives on established traditions. That enviable balance of focus and ranginess is a rare and instructive achievement" ('Opening up to Other Cultures' Poetry Ireland Review 54, Kathleen McCracken.

Jessie Lendennie is the founder and of Salmon Poetry.  Her prose poem Daughter was published in 1988, and reissued with new poems in 2001. In 1990, The Salmon Guide to Poetry Publishing appeared and in 1992 by The Salmon Guide to Creative Writing in Ireland. She is currently working on a book which examines the past fifty years of poetry publishing in Ireland. Jessie is the facilitator of regular weekend Creative Writing Workshops which are held at the Salmon premises. She has conducted workshops all over Ireland and the United States, for many years.  Salmon places a strong emphasis on the design of its books and has been consistently praised for the quality of its productions. Siobhán Hutson is Salmon's Production Manager. She designs the book covers and also typesets the books, and designed and maintains this website. Our books are represented in the USA by Dufour Editions, and in the United Kingdom by Central Books, London.

Salmon Poetry, Cliffs of Moher, Co.
 Clare, Ireland. tel/fax: + 353 (0)65 7081941
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Site link : http://www.salmonpoetry.com