Howl

HOWL New Irish Writing (HOWL) is a biennial literary journal dedicated to showcasing emerging and established Irish writers. Cofounded in 2022 by Róisín Leggett Bohan and Lauren O’Donovan, HOWL is a platform for writers residing in Ireland and also for the expansive international Irish diaspora. HOWL publishes stories and poems in English and as Gaeilge to celebrate the diverse and multicultural facets of modern Irish identity.

 

HOWL's primary mission is to forge meaningful connections between Irish writing and readers, thereby contributing to the vibrant literary community that has made it all possible. The HOWL team are dedicated to ensuring that each edition of New Irish Writing is a vibrant snapshot of the eclectic voices shaping contemporary Irish literature in each publication year.

 

For HOWL 26, Julie Goo—a bilingual Cork poet with sharp lyric clarity and cross-disciplinary energy—is the Irish language guest editor. HOWL is also honoured to have accomplished writers Molly Twomey and Gunnhildur Jónatansdóttir join the team to work on English language poetry and fiction in 2026. 

 

As writers themselves, the editorial team have a deep appreciation for the effort, time investment, and vulnerability that come with submitting work for publication. They are dedicated to upholding a holistic duty of care to all submitters, nurturing the link between writer and editor to publish unique work that is raw and real. 

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Even though New Irish Writing is a biennial publication, every year for HOWL is busy. We are constantly on the look out for opportunities for HOWL contributors, whether that be award nominations like the Forward and Pushcart Prizes, collaborations in print and translation, readings at literary festivals, and showcases with national organisations. Also, in 2024, HOWL entered into partnership with Poetry Ireland and The Irish Chair of Poetry to create the ongoing Irish Chair of Poetry Pamphlet Series, which opens for submission again soon.

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