Most people with Irish connections will undoubtedly be aware of Ireland's longest running magazine, 'Ireland's Own', the first copy of which was published on 26th November 1902, price one penny.

John M Walsh of People Newspapers established the title for a newly literate Irish readership and the arrival of a journal of fiction, literature and general information met with instant success.

Walsh presented a diet of wholesome rather than exotic fare - by which is meant that it was Irish and not bringing in some corrupt, weird and strange stuff that you'd get from 'across the water'. You wouldn't be corrupted or scandalised by it...and the same can be said of the magazine today.

By all rights, Ireland's Own should not exist in modern Ireland. It's 'folksy' image belies the fact that it comfortably outsells its glossy rivals, with weekly sales of almost 50,000. The very old-fashioned, non-glossy nature of the magazine makes it stand out on the news stands. Subscriptions of more than 3000, family networks and religious orders bring the magazine to a worldwide audience.

Says Editor, Phil Murphy:

'Ireland's Own and contention are complete strangers to each other - and that would be a deliberate policy. It's not 'Dublin 4' and trendy 'liberalism' and that aspect of Ireland, which is pretty shallow and skin deep anyway. We're slightly old-fashioned in our ways, for which we make no apologies. We attract a lot of our readership from people who probably have a yearning for what they consider to be the 'good old days, when things were better' as they see them. We do not take a hard-faced attitude towards our journalism or our magazine. We accept the fact that people do have a yearning for the old days, and nostalgia is a significant part of the magazine.'

To preserve it's wholesome ethos, the magazine must bypass even world-changing events, so if you want 'comfort' history, if you want 'comfort' Irish Nationalism, this is the magazine for you. It's non-political, non-sectarian and has something for all the family, giving special comfort for those living alone. It's a microcosm of all that's good about Ireland...and provides a direct link with the people out there who regularly contribute to the Readers' Letters.

In this section of our website, we are pleased to introduce Ireland's Own to any of our visitors who may not be aware of this truly Irish publication. With Ireland's Own's permission, we are happy to include several features from their Centenary Year Christmas Annual (2002), Christmas Annual 2003 and Bumper Holiday Issue 2003, together with details of their subscription rates.