We live in an age of extinction. In the last 500 years or so, the world has lost roughly 181 species of bird, as well as 171 amphibians and 113 mammals.

The currach was an invaluable lifeline to generations of fishing communities on the West coast, according to a retired Belderrig academic who has a long-held love of the traditional vessel.

As Westport marks 50 years of its unique arts festival, Westival, in partnership with Tertulia Bookshop, invites you to be part of something truly special.

Ballina writer Faith Hogan will be speaking at Focail Chósta in Belmullet this week.

All roads lead to North Mayo next weekend for Focail Chósta, a unique literary festival rooted in the heart of Erris.

Alan Ladak of Fahy Gardens, Loughrea, Co Galway, admitted he was reckless in buying the books for about €40 each, hoping to sell them for a profit

There is an exciting line-up of events taking place at the National Museum of Ireland for Cruinniú na nÓg, which takes place this year on Saturday next, June 7th.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars…” So goes the famous quote from Oscar Wilde.

For those who love being of this county – and there are thousands whose passion for Mayo runs deep – the great thing is there are always more discoveries for you around the corner and sometimes right in front of you.

Award-winning novelist Eimear McBride has been named as judge of this year’s Wild Atlantic Words short story competition.

In a country where history and heritage walk hand in hand with the land, few events will capture the spirit of Ireland’s enduring pilgrim tradition quite like the upcoming evening at Ballintubber Abbey.  On Monday next, May 12th, at 7.

Award-winning children’s author Sarah Webb believes it has never been more important to find books for children.

Ireland Reads Day will take place on February 22nd.

Donal Ryan is an award-winning author from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, whose work has been published in over 20 languages to major critical acclaim. 

A new book highlights the fact that Éamon de Valera’s first close friend outside Co Limerick was Frank Hughes of Kiltimagh. Both boys were enrolled at Blackrock College, and Ryan invited Dev to Co Mayo to spend Christmas 1899 with his family.

Celebrated Galway artist Joe Boske and local poet Michael Quinn have published Rathgar Odyssey, a limited-edition booklet pairing Boske’s iconic prints with Quinn’s evocative poem about a journey through Rathgar and memories of Galway.

A colourful new book of images and poems inspired by the west of Ireland was published last month.

Not many people can say they have published a book by the age of 16. Ronan Doyle, from Ballina, is one of the few. On November 1, Wild Atlantic Tunes was launched in bookshops across Mayo and Sligo.

A woman with strong West of Ireland roots has crafted a spell-binding children’s book based on Ashford Castle’s owl. Lisa Kelley is the author of Dingle’s Christmas at Ashford Castle.

Her book Orbital, about astronauts looking down at Earth, was named as the winner of the £50,000 prize.

It was Dooagh's John 'Twin' McNamara who first put the writer Mary J Murphy on the trail of Belgian painter Marie Howet's lengthy links with Achill almost 20 years ago, so it is an immeasurable joy that in his 90th year he was able to sit for this ...

There have been few characters in Mayo history as infamous as George Robert Fitzgerald of Turlough House, more commonly known as ‘Fighting Fitzgerald’.

An estimated 800,000 people are set to benefit from the scheme.

Scotland’s former first minister was interviewing author Paul Lynch.

So you’ve always wanted to read James Joyce’s Ulysses, but you have been put off by its size, its difficulty, its reputation….

The largest monthly volume increases were in bars (+13.8 per cent), books, newspapers and stationery (+7.0 per cent), pharmaceuticals, medical and cosmetic articles (+3.0 per cent), and department stores (+2.9 per cent).

In association with the Irish Bands' Archive at irishshowbands. net, the Curious Cat Library has announced the publication of 'From Tango To Twist - An Almanac of 20th-century Irish dance-bands, bandshows and showbands'.

A new book, entitled Under the Metal Man: Sligo in Yeats, is a captivating exploration of WB Yeats's connection to Sligo, beautifully crafted by Joseph M. Hassett and published by The Lilliput Press.

The 280sqm store will be located in the lower ground floor of the department store, adjacent to FAO Schwarz and will carry a broad range of books with specific emphasis on Irish-published and children’s titles.

The Whispering Land is a breathtaking photographic tour of Ireland’s rugged west coast with over 100 stunning images by renowned photographer Carsten Krieger.

Booker prize winner Paul Lynch has been announced as the patron of an Irish awards ceremony for independent authors.

School children and families in Mayo will have the chance to meet the creators of their favourite Irish books as part of Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde’s ‘Whole Wild World’ Bus Tour this April.

The official launch of Anne Walsh-Donnelly's new book, He Used To Be Me, will be held in the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Saturday, March 2nd, at 2. 30pm.

February is one of our favourite months of the year here in Mayo Library, as we celebrate Ireland Reads, a lovely celebration of all things books, reading, writers and writing.

Western People columnist, Fr Brendan Hoban, received an unexpected compliment on his recent book, Holding Out for a Hero, The Long Wait for Pope Francis, from Bishop John P. Dolan of the diocese of Phoenix, USA.  It came about like this.

Claire O’Malley has launched her new children’s book, Ezra and Mr Jim. The launch took place in the Parish Centre, Ballinrobe, to an incredible turnout.

The well-known local author, historian and former Mayo Person of the Year in 2013, Michael Feeney MBE, will be launching his new book Heroic Mayo in his native Castlebar on Saturday next, December 9th.

Castlebar physiotherapist Margaret Fitzgibbon has released a debut children’s book which has proven very popular since it went on sale last week.

The seventh edition of Clann Mhuiris, the annual journal of Claremorris Historical Society, was launched in Claremorris Library on Friday, November 17, by well-known Claremorris native, Fr Des Walsh.

The Kilmactigue Parish historical group launched History & Memories Volume 3 in the Aclare Digital Hub on Saturday last, December 2nd, at 3.30pm This book is the final instalment of the work begun by this industrious historical group in October ...

The launch of Mayo author Maria Commins-Feerick’s debut book will take place this Saturday, November 25, in Hollymount. Maria’s charming tale, The Lost Christmas Sock, will launch at the splendid setting of the Old Kirk and Manse in Hollymount at 3pm.

The Grass Ceiling, A Thread of Violence and The Bee Sting are among the books in contention for the overall prize

Following a very successful launch at the Wild Atlantic Words Literary Festival in Castlebar in October, the widely-acclaimed On This Day In Mayo by Máirtín Ó Maicín will be launched in Dublin on Wednesday next, November 22, at 7pm in the Croke Park ...

Three of Sally Rooney’s books – Normal People, Beautiful World Where Are You, and Conversations With Friends – featured among the most popular reads of the decade

Renowned Ballina photographer Henry Wills is to publish a collection of his best photographs.