New book by Prof Kevin Rafter, Fearless! tells the story of Magill magazine and Ireland in the 1980s

A new book, Fearless! Vincent Browne's Magill and Ireland in the 1980s, by Dublin City University’s Prof Kevin Rafter, tells the story of the influential current affairs magazine and Irish life in the 1980s.

Launched in 1977, Magill built its reputation on investigative journalism, exciting reportage and brilliant writing. Founded by Vincent Browne, many of Ireland’s best known journalists including Colm Tóibín, Fintan O’Toole, Brian Trench, Olivia O’Leary, Maggie O’Kane, Eamon Dunphy and John Waters wrote for the magazine.

Speaking at the launch, Prof Rafter said:

“This book is not just the story of a magazine. It’s the history of a crucial and contentious decade in Irish life. The 1980s were years of political turbulence, economic decline and bitter referendums on abortion and divorce. Magill was at the heart of all these stories and the magazine’s reportage is a fascinating way to examine and evaluate those years.”

An accompanying television documentary based on the book, produced by Prof. Kevin Rafter and directed by Dr Tom Burke from DCU’s School of Communications, will air on RTÉ next year.

Fearless! Vincent Browne's Magill and Ireland in the 1980s is published by New Island.

About Prof Kevin Rafter

Kevin Rafter is Full Professor of Political Communication at Dublin City University, a Fulbright Scholar,  and a former political journalist. He has written extensively on Irish politics and media, including acclaimed biographies and histories of key political parties. He joined the university in 2010 and has served as Head of the School of Communications, Associate Dean for Research for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Chair of the MA in Political Communications.