Ragaire Literary Magazine

An independent literary magazine showcasing the best of new Irish and international writing

A ‘ragaire’ enjoys wandering by night

Our Mission

Ragaire is a literary magazine based in Galway. The title ‘Ragaire’ is an old Irish word to describe someone who enjoys late night wandering. We want our magazine to be a light for those travellers, a place to bring their poems and stories, those lines of life. We are a warm and welcoming home for writers of all stripes and creeds. We love writing that touches the heart. We want to be moved and excited by what we read.

Picture by Chaosheng Zhang

Launch of Ragaire Issue 1

We were delighted and very grateful to have training and funding support from Gréasán na Meán Skillnet for Ragaire’s debut issue launch event. Gréasán na Meán Skillnet is a media training network that provides subsidised high-end training.

We would also like to thank The PorterShed, Galway County Council, Galway City Council and The Insurance Institute Galway for their support.

Readings at the launch of the debut issue of Ragaire Literary Magazine.

Christina Hennemann reads her poem Hag Stone.

Christina Hennemann is based on the West Coast of Ireland. She’s a recipient of the Irish Arts Council’s Agility Award ’23 and she was longlisted in the National Poetry Competition. www.christinahennemann.com

Philip Arneill reads an excerpt of his short story Gravedigger of the Year.

Philip Arneill is a Belfast-born writer and photographer. His Tokyo Jazz Joints photobook was published in 2023. His artistic practice explores illusory ideas of home and culture by examining insider-outsider dynamics, place and identity.

Attracta Fahy reads her poem Two Poets on the Go Bus.

Attracta Fahy earned her Master’s in Creative Writing at NUIG in 2017. Fly on the Wall Poetry published her debut chapbook collection Dinner in the Fields, in March 2020, and she is presently working towards a full collection.

Tadgh Dolan reads an excerpt from his short story Mr G.

Tadgh Dolan is a writer originally from Monaghan and now working in Dublin city. His latest play Three Queens Stuck in Dublin city ran as part of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, 2022.

Li Barlowe reads her poem Meal Plan for The End Times.

Li Barlowe is a Pākehā-Irish writer raised in Ōwairaka. She now resides in Dún Laoghaire with her wife and a forest of houseplants. Her debut novel should be out in the next few years.

Art Ó Súilleabháin reads his poem The Hill of the Lights.

Art Ó Súilleabháin was born in Corr na Móna, Co. Galway. He was Director of Mayo Education Centre and lectured at the CUA in Washington DC as a Fulbright scholar. His collection of poetry (Mayflies in the Heather) was published 2021.

Kathryn Petruccelli reads her poem Tongues.

Kathryn Petruccelli holds a degree in teaching English language learners. She’s lived on both U.S. coasts and recently relocated with her family to the west of Ireland. Kathryn teaches online workshops. More at poetroar.com.

Fred Johnston was born in Belfast and was educated there and Toronto, Canada. He was co-founder of the old Irish Writers’ Co-operative in the ‘Seventies in Dublin. He founded Galway’s CUIRT literary festival in 1986. Recent work has appeared in The Spectator, Cyphers, The Dalhousie Review, Poetry Scotland, The High Window, The Poetry Bus and Causeway (Scotland.)

Naoimh O’Connor writes short fiction and long journal entries to cope with the constant sleeplessness that parenting little nightwalkers entails. She has lived steadily and published intermittently between Ireland and Italy for over 20 years and hopes to be less intermittent for the next 20.

Alan Caden lives in Galway with his wife and two sons. He has published short stories in the collections ‘Noir by Noir West’, ‘Galway Stories 2020’, and a series of collections with the Atlantis Collective. He has a novel currently submitted for publication.