FEARLESS!

This book is not just the story of a magazine. Its 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 and its founding editor, Vincent Browne, was at the heart of all these stories.

Kevin Rafter uncovers the drama behind Magill from its launch in 1977 to becoming the magazine that the Sunday Times said dragged Irish journalism out of its comfortable, questioning dullness.

Magill was home to great writing and explosive investigations. Many exceptional journalists made an impression on the pages of the magazine including Colm Tóibín, Fintan OToole, Brian Trench and John Waters, who each filled the editors seat at different times in these rollercoaster years.

Drawing on extensive interviews and rich archival material, Fearless! reveals a society in upheaval and one magazines ambition to hold those in power to account for Irelands future.

Magill excited, and there was great loyalty. It was never just a job. - Colm Tóibín

People saw the magazine as having authority. - Fintan OToole

Magill was fashionable and it had Vincent Browne. - Eamon Dunphy

Are there words to describe Vincent Browne? - Olivia OLeary

He was a dictator. - John Waters

It was an investigative magazine that held to account people in power, the Church, people in politics, in business and in the media. We tried to do that. Sometimes we did it well. - Vincent Browne