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ROADMAP Michael McDermott WRITE ON Anyone fascina
ted with publishing culture in this country will find much to inform, enlighten and amuse in Periodicals and Journalism in Twentieth-Century Ireland, an anthology of academic and entertaining essays on publications, outside the mainstream press, which coloured our thinking in a pre-digital era. In a chapter by one of the co-editors Mark O’Brien, we learn about Hermes in 1978 which arrived with the stated expression of being “one more step in breaking the padlocks on closed minds” about queer culture and the amusing, with the benefit of hindsight, anecdote about how in 1986 Out magazine was prevented from advertising on RTÉ Radio 2 after 8pm “on the basis that the first iteration of the advert mentioned the word ‘gay’.” However, upon its removal “RTÉ rejected the second iteration of the advert on the basis that ‘advertising a gay magazine without saying that it was gay would be misleading to listeners.’” Elsewhere, Pat Brennan documents the SELECTIONS The Dean Arts Studio has just announced recipients of highly coveted year long free artist and culture practitioner spaces. Our editor formed part of the selection panel who were tasked with whittling down a very strong field of applicants. Drumroll for the recipients: Adrian Crowley, Alessandra Azevedo, Brid Higgins, Chinedum Muotto, Diaa Lagan, Ena Brennan, Jesse Jones, Jessica Kavanagh, Karen Donnellan, Katie Davenport, Letizia Loperiato, Nuala O’Donovan, Olivia Fitzsimons, Owen De Forge, Shane O’Reilly, Slight Motif, Sonya Kelly, Uly and Vera Ryklova. deanartstudios.ie/artist DAS steering panel L-R: Kate Farnon, Sharon Greene, Marysia WieckiewiczCarroll, Thais Muniz, Amir Abu Alrob, Simba Bianchi, Rosie Gogan-Keogh and Michael McDermott. rapid rise and fall of Status, a feminist news magazine which launched in 1981. Edited by Marian Finucane and from Vincent Browne’s Magill stable, its stated purpose was to focus on women’s issues. However, it folded a year later after spooking the advertising market upon which it was reliant. Its editorial stated, “Status is a victim to a certain extent of the time lag between the reality of the new consciousness of women about their role, their potential and their ambition, and the perception of the male dominated world of advertising and marketing.” With absorbing essays on everything from Fortnight magazine, Irish Housewife, In Dublin, The Phoenix, Church of Ireland Gazette; this is a roll call of influence and many headstones marking the path we find ourselves on. Periodicals and Journalism in Twentieth-Century Ireland 2 is published by Four Courts Press, €45 DOG HOUSE… is a new initiative aiming to be the Daft for derelict properties. Wanting to “make dereliction visible and uncover opportunities in cities, towns, and villages,” it enables anyone to post anonymously and then allow “Home-makers, builders, business owners, and local developers” to browse for opportunities and indicate interest in buying. dog-house.ie GARDA CLEARANCE… we have a contender for rejoinder of the year. Uttered by Panti Bliss as she faced down abuse by a few of the rankled file at Drag Story Time in Mayo Pride, it is now a tote by Fintan Wall which is selling out as fast as it’s stocked. A donation from each sale towards next year’s Pride. Chance a click. wallhello.ie €12 8