Ireland’s Own is the longest running and bestselling family magazine in Ireland. Published weekly by People Newspapers in Wexford town it has a circulation of over 50,000 in Ireland and abroad. It is one of hundreds of weekly and monthly, national and regional magazines published in Ireland. Ireland’s Own continues to be as popular as ever, over one hundred years after it was first published.
Ireland’s Own grew out of a tradition of Irish magazines which began to be published in the middle of the 19th century. These magazines were aimed at an Irish readership and they prioritised the work of Irish authors. They were designed to meet the increasing demand for Irish related material from a growing literate population.
The first editor of Ireland’s Own was John Mellifont Walsh. The front page of the new magazine, which cost one penny, carried an ‘Address to the First Number’. There were also six other articles including ‘Ballooning in a Thunderstorm’, ‘Silkworms in New York’ and ‘Some Irish Bon Mots’. The magazine was described as having something for all the family. It was, and still remains non-political and non-sectarian.
Today Ireland’s Own continues as a non-glossy, old-fashioned publication which has remained true to its traditions while managing to adapt to the modern era. Every week it has regular features, short stories, articles on history and a section for children. Using the publicity slogan ‘The Week Wouldn’t Be the Same Without It’ the publishers say that ‘many people have rightly observed that it is amazing the diversity of interesting material that can be packed into one magazine every week’
The first edition of Ireland’s Own was published in Wexford town in the year 1902 On This Day.
Samples of Ireland’s Own magazine
Courtesy Ireland’s Own
Main Street, Wexford by Poole Studios by National Library of Ireland on The Commons on 1895-01-01 00:00:00
Photo by National Library of Ireland on The Commons