Cormac Culkeen

Editor

Cormac Culkeen is a poet and writer from Galway. He returned to third-level education in 2018 as a mature student, graduating with a BA in Creative Writing in 2022 and an MA in Writing in 2023. His work has been published in Sonder Magazine, Causeway, Ropes Literary Journal, The Honest Ulsterman, Skylight 47, The Galway Review and other publications.

His debut poetry collection ‘The Boy with the Radio’ was published by Beir Bua Press in May 2022. He is currently working towards a second collection of poetry and developing a novel, which was highly commended by the judges of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair. He is a recipient of a Galway City Council 2024 Creative Practitioner Bursary.

Aileen McCarthy

Editor

Aileen McCarthy is an Irish writer from Galway. As a chartered accountant she spent most of her career in the corporate sector. After 11 years in Southeast England, she returned to Galway in 2021. In 2022, she decided to pursue her passion, graduating in November 2023 with MA in Writing at University of Galway. In 2023, she also took part in Selected, the Galway International Arts Festival professional development programme. With a keen interest in the arts, Aileen enjoys frequenting Galway’s many festivals with her two children. She currently works at Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.

Lucy Bleeker

Editor

Lucy Bleeker is a writer, playwright, poet and teacher from Galway. She holds an MA in Writing from the University of Galway. Her poetry has been published in Crannóg and The Waxed Lemon Magazine. Her first one-act play, ‘The Baggage’, won the best writing award at the Jerome Hynes One Acts series. As one of the IWC and Cúirt Young Writer Delegates in 2023, she wrote and performed a ten minute play ‘Bookshop’ at the festival. She was part of the Galway International Arts festival SELECTED programme in 2023 for arts professional development. 

She teaches English language, poetry workshops, and is currently writing her debut novel.

Mary Tighe

Submissions Manager

Mary supports the Ragaire Editorial team by managing submissions, ensuring all are read blind by the editors .