Salmon was established in Galway City in 1981 with the publication of The Salmon International Literary Journal, a journal of poetry and prose. The Salmon published innovative fiction, poetry and art for over a decade. Introducing poets in the west of Ireland to a wider audience, and bringing international poets into focus in Ireland. In 1985 Salmon, under editor Jessie Lendennie, began publishing
poetry collections, concentrating initially on Irish women poets in response to the mystifying underrepresentation of woman poets in Irish literature. Since 1981 Salmon has published over 600 volumes of poetry and literary non-fiction and has become one of the most prolific and important publishers in the Irish literary world. Salmon has continually taken risks; introducing new writers since its first days with The Salmon journal and with its first books by Eva Bourke and Rita Ann Higgins. The Salmon catalogue includes initial works by now-established Irish poets Rita Ann Higgins, Theo Dorgan, Mary Dorcey, Moya Cannon, Joan McBreen, Mary O'Donnell, Eamonn Wall, Mary O'Malley, Eva Bourke, Janice Fitzpatrick-Simmons, Elaine Feeney, Dave Lordan, Kevin Higgins, to name a very few. Salmon has published a striking range of international poets including Adrienne Rich, Marvin Bell, Ray Bradbury, Richard Tillinghast, Carol Ann Duffy, Rebecca Morgan Frank, Andrea Cohen, Alan Peterson, Ethna McKiernan, Patricia Monaghan and Philip Fried. Salmon has been acclaimed for its cross-cultural literary dialogue, for "broadening the parameter of Irish literature by opening up to other cultures and by urging new perspectives on established traditions. That enviable balance of focus and ranginess is a rare and instructive achievement" ('Opening up to Other Cultures' Poetry Ireland Review 54, Kathleen McCracken.) "Salmon's unique profile grows from the diversity of the work it publishes.. most notably, Salmon is distinguished by the number of women on its list." Haberstroh, Irish Literary Supplement
"As a major publisher of poetry, Salmon has nurtured the talents of both new and emerging poets and its publications have been consistently exciting and varied." Seamus Hosey, producer, RTE Radio
"Salmon has contributed enormously to making poetry a popular and regular shopping commodity." Books Ireland
"Salmon Publishing is one of the most innovative, perceptive and important publishing houses in the U.K. It has fostered and supported the work of new writers and has established them in the public consciousness." Eavan Boland
Since 1995 Salmon has been based in County Clare, half a mile north of the Cliffs of Moher; creating yet another focus for literature in the West of Ireland.
