Building on the successful launch of Issue 4 in November 2025, Ragaire Literary Magazine has an open call for contributions for its fifth issue, launching in May 2026. Writers and artists are invited to share short stories, creative nonfiction, poetry, and cover art, with the submission window open until January 15th, 2026, or until the maximum number of submissions has been reached.

Ragaire was generously supported by the Galway City Council Arts Office since first launching in 2024. The team are thrilled to announce that Ragaire has been granted 2026 Literature Project Award funding from The Arts Council. This will support the magazine’s continued commitment to publish high-quality Irish and international writing. The Literature Project Award prioritises projects that connect literature with readers and audiences, and allows writers to develop and create work in new and innovative ways.  The funding also ensures that the Ragaire team can continue to host engaging launch events in the PorterShed in Galway.

Ragaire is a Galway based magazine edited by Galway writers Cormac Culkeen, Aileen McCarthy and Lucy Bleeker. It champions emerging west of Ireland writers, as well as Irish and international writers who offer fresh perspectives and different approaches to telling a story. Submissions of up to 3 poems (max. 40 lines), short stories (1,000 to 3,000 words) and creative nonfiction (1,000 to 3,000 words) will be considered. All work must be unpublished and the author’s own work. Ragaire is also looking for artists living in or from Ireland to submit visual art for the cover of Issue 5.

The Ragaire editors read all submissions blind to the author’s identity. Work submitted by an emerging writer who is looking for their first publishing opportunity will be given the same attention as that of a more established author. Aileen McCarthy outlines Ragaire’s ethos: “Ragaire is about embracing diverse voices and fresh perspectives through poetry, fiction, or essays. We’re looking for thought provoking pieces that offer new ways of seeing the world.  We’re very happy with how the magazine has been received and we’re excited to see how our contributors will shape this new issue.”

Cormac Culkeen feels that Ragaire is getting better and better: “Our four issues to date are of an exceptionally high quality; they contain moments of disquiet, revelation and capturing those small moments that make life such a surprising thing. The response to Ragaire has been brilliant. Thanks to the support of both local and national arts funding, we’re looking to pull out all the stops for Issue 5, and to make it the best yet. I’m very excited and happy with where we’re going.”

Lucy Bleeker is also looking forward to making Issue 5 the best edition of Ragaire to date: “Ragaire is a forward thinking and open place for compelling new writing. We are looking for the pieces that stir us and lift us out of our seats. I’m so excited to read fresh work from contributors. The work received for Issue 4 was fantastic”

All guidelines and submission links can be accessed via the website www.ragairemagazine.com. To see exactly what Ragaire likes to publish, Issues 1 to 4 are available to purchase on the website or in independent bookshops such as Charlie Byrne’s, Kenny’s, and Bell Book and Candle in Galway and Raven Books, Chapters, and The Winding Stairs in Dublin.

Keep an eye out for updates on www.ragairemagazine.com.  

Contributors at the launch of Ragaire’s last edition in November: from right to left.

Olivia Carroll, Jason Lovell, Laura McDonagh, PJ Delaney, Marianne Daigh, David Kenny, Eileen Walsh Duncan, Maitiú Charleton, Anna Delargy Hunter, Saoirse Cross Smith, Aimee Reilly, Valeria Terlato, Emma Towey, Iain Macdonald, Kara Barlow, Darren Donohue, Bríd Ryan.