Cork’s Banshee Press shortlisted for prestigious British Book Award

13 May 2025

• Banshee Press, co-founded by UCC lecturer in Creative Writing Eimear Ryan, nominated for British Book Award.

Banshee Press, an independent publishing house based in Cork, was nominated for Small Press of the Year at the prestigious 2025 British Book Awards — known in the industry as the ‘Nibbies’. Banshee Press was the only Irish nominee and marks the second year running that Banshee has earned this recognition.

Founded in 2014, Banshee Press has built a strong reputation for championing distinctive, high-quality literary work. 

"It's a thrill for us to be the island of Ireland nominee for Best Small Press at the Nibbies for the second year running," said Eimear Ryan, co-founder and managing editor of Banshee Press and lecturer on the MA in Creative Writing at University College Cork.

The British Book Awards is a celebration of books, and all who make them. It honours the stories that have been loved, shared and acclaimed throughout the year, alongside the teams whose unique mix of skills, savvy and hard work have carried those stories to readers.

"Ireland has such a rich ecosystem of very impactful small presses so it means a lot to be singled out. We are a very small team of part-timers and freelancers, supported by the Arts Council and Cork City Council, and we publish only a few titles a year, but as a result we're able to put a lot of time and care into each book. The nomination feels like a ringing endorsement for our editors, our wonderful authors and contributors, and also the booksellers and readers who support our work,” Eimear said.

Eimear lectures on UCC’s MA in Creative Writing, where she teaches modules in both fiction and non-fiction writing. The MA programme supports students in honing their craft while also introducing them to the publishing world — an industry Banshee Press exemplifies through its editorial quality and independent spirit.