The Mercier Press

Susan arrives on Dune Island with a plan, settle her late uncle’s estate, sign the papers, and leave within a week. The inheritance is simple, a weathered cottage, a small distillery, a stubborn dog named Walter.  On paper, nothing she couldn''t sort in a week.Except Susan isn’t just there to close a chapter. She’s running, from Jen, from a loss she cannot yet name, and from a life that has quietly unravelled.But Dune Island has been keeping its own secrets.Cut off on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way, where the ferry runs on Mick’s time and every glance carries a question, Susan begins to uncover what her uncle Frank left behind, not just property, but a lifetime of silence. And the longer she stays, the more the island reveals, buried stories, unspoken grief, a family history shaped as much by what was hidden as by what was known.And as the past begins to surface, Susan must confront the truths she came to escape.She came to Dune Island to be alone. The island had other ideas.Blood and Water is a haunting, beautifully observed novel about identity, inheritance, and the quiet devastations that echo through generations. With warmth, wit, and emotional precision, Rebecca Murphy introduces a striking new voice in fiction, one that lingers long after the final page.Winner of the RTÉ Today Show Novel Competition

All journalist Jack Myers wants is a relaxing Irish holiday. Retreating from his demanding job as a foreign correspondent, he thinks he''s found the perfect escape – the stately St Peter''s Manor, perched on the edge of Lough Derg in County Tipperary, just in time for Ireland''s longest heatwave.But when a mysterious drowning occurs during the annual Midsummer Ball, Jack''s instincts tell him something isn''t quite right.Asking questions politely but persistently, he uncovers intriguing whispers: a commodore who vanished a decade earlier, a tight-knit group of childhood friends harbouring old secrets, and motives as tangled as the lakeside reeds.As an unprecedented heatwave presses down on this tranquil corner of Ireland, tensions rise, and Jack''s summer escape has become a deadly puzzle. In a small village where everyone has something to hide, the truth may be the most dangerous discovery of all.A bold new cosy crime mystery from debut author Cormac Quinn, perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Janice Hallett and Graham Norton.

Belfast. The city is on fire. Truth is a death sentence.When ambitious London lawyer Lena Dawson arrives in Northern Ireland in 1987, she believes in the law, its structure, its power, its promise of fairness. But Belfast is a battlefield. The rules here are written in blood.Thrown into the heart of the conflict, Lena defends a high-profile loyalist paramilitary case, instantly drawing the attention, and hostility, of a ruthless and well-connected QC. Then comes an unthinkable request: an IRA figure known as “the godfather” asks her to investigate the police killing of his brother. Accepting could destroy her career. Refusing could cost her far more.As Lena digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling conspiracy stretching from the streets of Belfast to the corridors of power in Westminster. With every revelation, the stakes rise. Bombs detonate. Loyalties fracture. And the line between right and wrong begins to vanish.In a city divided by fear and violence, it’s not just the truth that’s dangerous, it’s who you become when you pursue it.Written by acclaimed investigative journalist Anne Cadwallader, drawing on four decades of frontline reporting during the Troubles, Crossing Over is a gripping, authentic legal thriller infused with political intrigue, moral conflict, and a haunting undercurrent of forbidden love.For readers of Milkman and Trespasses, this is a story that doesn’t just explore history, it drags you deep into it. 

Could Brigit have been Queen of the Leinster Fairies?Step into the mystical heart of Ireland and uncover the hidden essence of Brigit, a figure revered as both goddess and saint, yet shrouded in mystery. In this spellbinding exploration, Pauline Breen reveals Brigit as you’ve never imagined her — a powerful fae woman and sovereign of the Irish Otherworld.Beyond her familiar roles in Celtic mythology and Christian tradition, Brigit emerges as a liminal force, a bridge between the seen and unseen, the mortal and the magical. Through meticulous research into ancient myths, folklore and the sacred landscapes of Ireland, Breen illuminates Brigit’s forgotten identity as a being of the Otherworld.This book explores:Her lineage among the Tuatha Dé Danann, Ireland’s mythical race of divine beings, and her deep kinship with the fae folk. The Sí and Brigit: why Ireland’s fairy lore cannot be told without her Death, keening, and Brigit’s forgotten role as psychopomp Fire, smithcraft, and the cauldron of inexhaustible plenty — gifts that link saintly ''miracles'' to Otherworld magic• Sacred geography: from Newgrange to Croghan Hill, the places where her presence still thrums• Living practice: rituals, wells, and seasonal customs that let modern seekers meet Brigit as Queen of the Leinster Fairies

In 1989, Irish doctor Geraldine Osborne, her artist husband Danny, and their three young children—ages five, two, and one—embarked on an extraordinary adventure: to spend a year living in one of the most isolated parts of the world, the tiny Inuit settlement of Grise Fiord, over a thousand kilometres above the Arctic Circle. Danny wasn't a stranger to Arctic extremes. In 1981, he took part in the first Irish Arctic Expedition. But his urge to reconnect with the Arctic never left—and in 1989, he convinced Geraldine to pack up their young family to spend the dark winter at temperatures below -40 °C living in this northernmost community of Canada while training their dog team and preparing for a perilous dog-sledge journey across the frozen sea to retrace the route of the last Inuit migration to Greenland in the following spring. Written with warmth, humour, and unflinching honesty, Somewhere Cold explores their remarkable year in the High Arctic as Geraldine balances maternal instincts to protect her children from hazards with the desire to embrace this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Along the way, they form deep connections with the local Inuit community, who share their traditional knowledge, country food, and exceptional resilience. A compelling blend of travel narrative, family memoir and cultural observation, richly illustrated with photographs, Somewhere Cold is about pushing boundaries, embracing the unknown and discovering that sometimes the most valuable lessons come from unexpected places. Insights into contemporary Nunavut life have recently hit the headlines via the Netflix Show North of North, and Somewhere Cold portrays an equally engaging period when Inuit life was still in transition.

Tús an aistir - míostrú sláintiúil agus sothuigthe. Irish language book on menstruation. Go hiondúil, nuair a dhéanaimid rud éigin den chéad uair, bíonn roinnt deacrachtaí againn agus bíonn orainn cabhair a lorg roinnt mhaith uaireanta nó réitigh a lorg chun cabhrú linn foghlaim. Tarlaíonn gach rud den chéad uair ag pointe éigin. Ag an tús, teastaíonn cabhair uainn le gach rud. Teastaíonn cabhair uainn foghlaim conas siúl, conas leabhar a léamh agus conas a carr a thiomáint. Beidh cabhair ag teastáil uainn dul i dtaithí ar mhíostrú freisin. Agus sin ábhar an leabhair seo - do chéad fhuil mhíosta, tús d’aistir thimthriallaigh. Is aistear fada a bheidh ann, aistear saoil. Dá bhrí sin, tá sé tábhachtach go dtuigeann tú an méid atá ag tarlú gach mí agus go mbeidh tú slán sábháilte. Is éard atá sa leabhar seo eolas bunúsach faoi mhíostrú.This is a gorgeous, fully illustrated book that teaches girls (and boys) in Gaelscoileanna the language surrounding their bodies and what happens during menstruation. When we try something new—whether it''s riding a bike, baking cookies, or learning to swim—we usually need a little help at first. We might wobble, make mistakes, or have questions. That''s completely normal! Think about it: you needed help learning to walk and read. Even adults need help learning to drive a car. So why would something as important as getting your first period be any different? That''s exactly what this book is all about—your first period and the beginning of an amazing journey your body is ready to take. This journey will be with you for many years of your life, so it''s super important to start with good information that helps you feel confident and prepared. Inside these pages, you''ll find a friendly introduction to the wonderful and natural process of menstruation. Consider this your helpful guide to understanding this new and important chapter in your life!

Connie Maguire has always lived in the shadows. Battling low self-esteem, she has spent her life prioritising her only child — and he has flourished, becoming Ireland''s newest rugby star.On the day of her milestone birthday, with Liam''s career about to soar, Connie finally believes she might achieve some happiness.Then tragedy strikes in the dark of night, changing everything.On Ireland''s rugged west coast, the past refuses to stay buried, and Connie must finally confront the devastating truth of what happened on the night that destroyed so many lives.This powerful exploration of motherhood, guilt and redemption questions whether we can truly be free from the mistakes of our past.New from 2025 Travel Extra Travel Journalist of the Year Domhnall O’Donoghue, The (Wonderful) Life of Connie Maguire is perfect for fans of Liz Nugent, Adele Parks and Shari Lapena.''Exquisitely plotted and sensitively written'' - Áine Toner, BELFAST TELEGRAPH''A stunning page-turner'' - Nicola Bardon, THE SUN

TG4 Documentary. ''Na Lumiere Gaelacha tells the story of the Horgan Brothers of Youghal, photographic, cinematic and animation pioneers at the time of the Lumiere brothers in France.''Through the Lens of Time: The Horgan Brothers'' Ireland 1890-1940Step back in time through the extraordinary photographs of The Horgan Brothers, who captured Ireland during its transformation from British rule to an Independent Republic. From their base in Youghal, these pioneering photographers documented people at work and play—courting kings and exotic travellers, farmers and fishermen along the Blackwater River. They preserved pivotal moments in Ireland''s history: portraits of First World War soldiers who never returned home, volunteer camps, and the political activists who would shape the nation''s destiny. This stunning collection brings their world to life again, offering a remarkable window into an Ireland that was vanishing even as they preserved it on film. Page after page reveals the extraordinary in the ordinary—a hidden time captured by two brothers who knew exactly where to point their lens.

''Each story shines in its own distinctive light.'' —Neil Hegarty''O''Donnell is unflinching in her ability to display humanity in all its flaws and vulnerabilities.'' —Mary Costello''The magic of her writing is in the subtle, mysterious evocation of the unconscious, of the potent mixture of mood and thought and half thought which colours human lives.'' —Eilis Ni Dhuibhne''Searingly intimate and subtle stories, the beauty, the pain and the hope of desperate lives lived in everyday places. A fascinating, varied and utterly compelling collection.'' —William WallIn this masterful collection, Mary O''Donnell explores the subtle fractures and quiet transformations that shape modern Irish life. Her characters navigate a society in flux, where traditional certainties give way to new complexities. A gay man and his trans partner face casual hostility on city streets. A tarot reader takes a fateful gamble during a session. In Edna a woman discovers the sharp edge of urban life while offering aid to strangers. On a sun-drenched Canary Islands beach, vacationing couples witness the arrival of migrants, forcing a confrontation with privilege and fate.From pandemic lockdowns where a chocolate maker watches his business and sanity unravel to nightclubs where identity is both celebrated and challenged, O''Donnell''s stories serve as litmus tests for contemporary society. With unflinching precision, she reveals how quickly our certainties dissolve, leaving us to navigate a world of shifting possibilities.These stories capture the secret sorrows and resilient hopes of characters caught between who they were and who they might become.

In this enduring classic, renowned Irish author Seán O''Faoláin offers a penetrating examination of what makes great short fiction work. Drawing from his experience as both a master practitioner and dedicated teacher of the form, O''Faoláin provides aspiring writers with insights that have remained relevant for over seven decades.The heart of O''Faoláin''s approach lies not in technical formulas but in his insistence that good writing begins with authentic perception. Through clear-eyed analysis and memorable examples, he demonstrates why so many aspiring writers fail—not for lack of technique, but because they have not truly learned to see the world around them.O''Faoláin challenges the notion that ordinary lives provide insufficient material for fiction, pointing to writers like Dickens and Maupassant who transformed humble experiences into enduring literature. He argues persuasively that the bank clerk who claims to have nothing to write about has missed the essential truth: that the writer''s gift lies not in extraordinary circumstances but in extraordinary awareness. His unique perspective as an Irish writer engaged with European literary traditions gives the book a broad, cosmopolitan outlook. ''The Short Story'' stands alongside Frank O''Connor''s ''The Lonely Voice'' as an indispensable resource for writers, readers, and scholars.Blending practical advice with philosophical depth, this vintage gem from the post-war literary renaissance stands as both a practical guide and a passionate defense of authenticity in fiction. For anyone serious about the craft of short stories, O''Faoláin''s candid, sometimes bracingly direct counsel remains as valuable today as when first written.